adrian barber ― pastoral perfection
adrian barber, enduring fields no. 1, 2022, acrylic on canvas, 84 x 110 cm
Jagged mountains – Tasmanian wilderness pierced by rivers and icy lakes. This is trademark Adrian Barber. However these latest paintings feature bucolic pastoral scenes. “I grew up in the English Midlands amongst the beautiful landscape depicted so wonderfully in the paintings of Constable,” Adrian explains, “and these new works hark back to my childhood.”
This small suite of paintings is inspired by the landscape of Tasmania’s northern Midlands. During spring and early summer last year, Adrian found himself driving around the backroads of Ross. Inspired by youthful memories, Adrian captured “emblems of the region.” Stands of giant old pines and poplars in parklike pastures as the Western Tiers rise in the background: “In late October the Macquarie River was in flood and the plains were transformed,” Adrian explains. “I have attempted to capture the stillness I feel here and something of the regions enduring and settled nature.”
Adrian’s paintings will be part of a group exhibition opening at the Gallery on August 26.