Delve into the irreverent yet respectful alternative histories of selected Australian paintings in the new exhibition Hadyn Wilson: An Historical Novel (An Archive of Found Histories) which will be opened by art critic John McDonald at the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) at 6.00pm, on Friday 5th July 2019.
Sydney-based artist Hadyn Wilson explores relationships between past and present. This is his first solo exhibition at NERAM and visitors will encounter works they are familiar with but once they look closer they will discover things are not quite what they seem. Through extensive research and creative sleuthing, Wilson has put together an alternative history of selected works in the Hinton Collection, producing what looks like historical paintings but contains a contemporary twist.
“We are thrilled that Hadyn has chosen the Hinton Collection at NERAM to create this new body of work,” said Belinda Hungerford, NERAM Curator. “With great dedication and respect, Hadyn has researched the histories of the paintings and the artists, accessing original material from the State Library of New South Wales and other institutions, to then reimagine what could have been and through this process he has also come to understand the kind of man Howard Hinton was.”
“His collecting habits were not an even and dispassionate curatorial exercise but a heartfelt response to the paintings and processes that made them. He bought works by artists he’d come to know and whose painting he admired and sometimes simply because the artist may have needed the money” Wilson said.
“I think this exhibition will generate some robust discussion and reactions amongst our visitors,” said Belinda Hungerford, “some will be tickled by what Wilson has created, others intrigued, and some may even be shocked by how he has re-interpreted some of their favourites. But importantly, it will give people an opportunity to re-engage with the works and to consider their own interpretations.”
Hadyn Wilson graduated from the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney in 1975 and completed his Masters of Fine Arts at COFA UNSW in 1995. In 2010 he received his PhD from the University of Newcastle. In 2019 Wilson participated in the Artist-in-Residence program at the State Library of New South Wales. He has exhibited nationally and internationally including ‘Bush to Bay: Hinton and the Artists’ Camps’ at Mosman Art Gallery. He has been a finalist in the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes as well as being awarded the Gallipoli Art Prize, the Mosman Art Prize and Travelling Art Scholarships. Wilson’s work is held in both public and private collections.
Hadyn Wilson: An Historical Novel (An Archive of Found Histories) will be on display at New England Regional Art Museum from Friday 5th July until Sunday 13th October 2019.
