WILLIAMS, FRED (1927-1982)

“Reclining Nude” (c.1955)
ink on paper
31 x 24.5cm
Signed lower left
*Ray Hughes Collection
*private collection, Sydney
 
Williams OBE is a famous Australian painter & printmaker. He was one of Australia’s most important artists, & one of the 20th century’s major painters of the Australian landscape. He studied at the National Gallery School in Melbourne, then under legendary teacher, George Bell. In 1951 he relocated to London, studying at the Chelsea School of Art. He subsidised his art practice by working part-time at Savage’s picture framers, alongside fellow artist's Roger Hilton & Yves Klein. He was inspired by the work of iconic artist & acquaintance, Francis Bacon, & he was particularly prolific during this period, producing approx 117 prints of sideshow acts, figures & fellow artists. On his return to Australia in 1956, he focussed primarily on landscape paintings, at odds with his close associates, John Brack, Arthur Boyd & Charles Blackman, & their 'Antipodeon' manifesto. Inspired by Aboriginal art, Williams saw the aesthetic potential of the Australian bush in its inherent plasticity, establishing a pictorial equivalent to the overwhelmingly vast, primarily flat landscape. He had more than seventy solo exhibitions during his career in Australian galleries, as well as the exhibition Fred Williams - Landscapes of a Continent at the MOMA in NYC in 1977. His works are represented in all major National Galleries & Important Institutions, & he is one of Australia's most sought after modern artists. 
 
This intimate sketch was completed during his London years, & depicts one of his artist friends at the time; possibly Roger Hilton or Selwyn Tebbutt.