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Tony Tuckson / Egypt/England/Australia 1921–73 / Pink lines (vertical) on red and purple 1970–73 / Synthetic polymer paint on composition board / Two panels: 213.5 x 244.5cm (overall) / Purchased 1998. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Tony Tuckson/Licensed by Viscopy
Tony TucksonPink lines (vertical) on red and purple 1970–1973
Not Currently on Display
Pink lines (vertical) on red and purple 1970–73 is one of a series of gestural, double-panel paintings that Tony Tuckson completed for a solo exhibition in 1973, just months before his death at the age of 52.
Like many North American abstract expressionist paintings (but few Australian ones), Pink lines is very large, measuring more than two square metres, and its dazzling field of colour seems to surround us. At the same time, the pinkish-white lines overlaying the field bring to attention the physical surface of the painting. They also trace the artist’s presence, recording the sweep of his arm.
Born in Egypt, Tony Tuckson studied at art schools in London and Kingston upon Thames. After joining the Royal Air Force in 1939, he was stationed in Australia with a Spitfire squadron. He married ceramic artist Margaret Bisset in 1943, returning briefly to England at the end of the war before returning to Australia to study at East Sydney Technical College (1946–49).
Tuckson began work as an attendant at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in 1950, and was quickly promoted to Assistant Director. In 1957, he was appointed Deputy Director, a position he held for the rest of his life.
Tuckson was instrumental in establishing the indigenous collection at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. In 1960–61 he organised a ground-breaking travelling exhibition of Aboriginal art, which also represented Australian art at the São Paulo Biennial. It was ‘around this time, Tuckson’s own painting moved from domestic-inspired works to abstraction, to Abstract Expressionism, and, finally, to gestural painting’.1
Endnotes:
1. Daniel Thomas, ‘An introduction to Tony Tuckson 1921–1973’, in Tony Tuckson, Craftsman House, Roseville, NSW, 1989, p.40.
Discussion Questions
1. Can you imagine the effort the artist used to create the piece? Discuss the idea that the lines are doing the ‘hard work’ in the painting.
2. Compare Tuckson’s painting with the works of Indigenous Australian artist Mirdidingkingathi Juwarrnda Sally Gabori. What are the similarities and differences?
Classroom Activities
1. Glue nine pieces of paper together to form a large ‘canvas’. With big brushes and bold, sweeping movements, create vertical and horizontal lines that intersect each other. Using smaller brushes, replicate your work on a large piece of paper. Compare the scale and the effect of both pieces.
2. Consider the impact of scale on the abstract use of colour. Complete two large-scale paintings and combine these through the use of a grid.