Peter Neilson at Australian Galleries Melbourne

 On a cold rainy winter afternoon, I ventured out to see the exhibition of works by Peter Neilson at Australian Galleries. It was called "Staring into the Middle Distance"
And what a delight it was,
 The landscapes in charcoal, pastel and chalk were striking. Very still, and elegant; depiciting a landscape captured at a particular moment in time.

The fork in the track

Up the hill to the house (above)

I liked the quote in the media release

Do I contradict myself? Very well,

then I contradict myself, 

I am large, I contain multitudes.”

From Song of Myself by Walt Whitman, 1855.

An added treat were some earlier works - his mastery of the charcoal is wonderful to see

Terracotta Warriors & Cai Guo-Qiang, NGV International (2)

The stunning work of Cai Guo-Qiang The Transient Landscape, takes inspiration from Chinese inventions – porcelain, silk, paper and gunpowder They complement the exhibition of the terracotta warriors.

A highlight is the 10,000 soaring birds that form a silent murmuration.

Terracotta Warriors & Cai Guo-Qiang, NGV International

I went to see this exhibition of non just the terracotta warriors, but various ancient Chinese artefacts.

Generally I am not a fan of the 'art blockbusters' but I loved this exhibition because the hand of the artist is so evident, and the works on display have a certain direct appeal because of the human qualities that they convey.

What would the creators of the warriors think if they could travel in time and peek at their works of art being displayed at our gallery  being inpescted and photographed by Melbournians??
This warrior is staring at us with a timeless expression.