It is twenty years since Richard Maurovic’s first solo exhibition in 1996. His 2016 exhibition of old and new works at the Hill Smith Gallery, Pirie Street, Adelaide, and the publication of this book, Richard Maurovic: Shaping life were timed to recognise that event and his subsequent achievement.
Described frequently as a super realist following in the footsteps of Jeffrey Smart, Richard Maurovic has in fact drawn on a wide range of artistic influences from Piero della Francesca to the American Precisionists and Australian Modernist painters.
Physically compromised by an accident in his early twenties, he matches his distinctive technique and interests with extraordinary ingenuity in the pursuit of his particular vision.
This is largely one of human activity and its impact on the shaping of both rural and urban environments. He also brings the same perception of detail and patterns to his paintings of everyday items, food particularly. As the 120 works in this monograph suggest, Richard Maurovic revels in explorations of colour and the geometric appeal of his subject matter, be it great or small.
Richard Maurovic is an artist who, while calling up memories and associations with his beloved Adelaide and South Australian countryside, also reminds us of the ubiquitous nature of modern landscape and consumerism, and in doing so connects us across both interstate and international boundaries.
Jennifer Palmer is a retired broadcaster with ABC Radio National where she was responsible for the Social History Unit and other feature programs. She has also been a book reviewer and art reviewer for national newspapers, an interviewer for oral history collections and has published short stories.
Maggie Watson is an Art History Graduate of the University of Adelaide and holds a Masters in Fine and Decorative Art from the Sotheby’s Institute of Art. She worked in the Modern British Art department of Christies’s London before returning to Australia. As an art consultant she has written catalogue essays for several Australian artists, including Richard Maurovic’s Saatchi exhibition in 2014.
Richard Maurovic: Shaping life is published by Wakefield Press.
Image: Richard Maurovic: Shaping life