GRIEVE, ROBERT (1924-2006)

"Oriental Theme" (1966)
oil on board
19 x 36cm
signed lower left
*private collection, Melbourne
 
Grieve was an award-winning Australian Abstract painter. He joined the Victorian Artists’ Society and attended V.A.S evening life-classes alongside artists such as Fred Williams. He presented his first exhibition in 1948 at the Velàsquez Gallery in Bourke Street, Melbourne. He received further training in London at Chelsea Polytechnic in the early 1950s before returning to Australia as part of the first generation of Australian Abstract artists. Grieve’s art was inspired by diverse influences, including Cézanne, Social Realism, the V.A.S., schooling from Matthews and Alfred Stone, Max Meldrum’s tonal painting, Stanislaus Rapotec’s dynamic compositions, the work of Antoni Tàpies and Ian Fairweather and his own interest in Asian art furthered by his trips to Japan. He was well travelled, visiting Japan, China, Cuba, Mexico, USSR & Papua New Guinea, experiences that shaped his art. He featured in several overseas group exhibitions during the 1960s through to the 1980s in South-East Asia, New Zealand, Japan and the USA. In Australia, Robert Grieve exhibited his work in over 50 exhibitions across all states and in the capital. His work is represented in all major National Australian Galleries!!