I revisited Gordon Shepherdson’s studio on Brisbane’s south-side late in 2017 for the first time without Gordon’s physical presence. The purpose of the visit was to write a profile on Gordon Shepherdson and his painting legacy for ARTIST PROFILE magazine and an essay for his exhibition at Philip Bacon Galleries (13 February – 10 March 2018). Gordon is increasingly frail and now lives in a higher care environment. However, his studio is little changed – his paint-splattered hat poised on a hook, the palette with decades of paint caked into a tall and sculptural form, the paint marks on the wall where his brush strayed over the edge of the taped-up paper. Making paintings is part of Gordon’s consciousness, and this exhibition, simply titled GORDON SHEPHERDSON, includes paintings with his characteristic dark, yet luminous surfaces, with depths in which to surrender.
The Philip Bacon catalogue is attached:
