Agrigento, Sicily, looking out at the ancient Greek temple of Concorde, as interpreted by Roger Beale. Images: Supplied.
You can tell spring is in the air. It’s even on the walls of the latest exhibition at Humble House where renowned Canberra artist Roger Beale will showcase his latest works.
Sun, Rain, Flowers sees Beale’s characteristic subjects painted with dramatic realism.
“There is a romantic memory of a wonderful night in Agrigento, Sicily, looking out at the ancient Greek temple of Concorde while the scent of gardenias floated on the night air,” Beale said.
“Like the subject, this painting is big – 1.67 by 1.27 metres.”
There are lush flower scenes reminiscent of Floriade in full season, saturated with Beale’s love of the great art of the past.
Co-owner of Humble House Roger Carter said the last time Roger Beale exhibited in Canberra, his solo show sold out.
“His paintings would complement many contemporary apartments while being equally at home with antiques and traditional furnishings,” according to Carter.
“Beale understands that not all of us can fit, or afford big pictures so he’s included studies and smaller works which stand in their own right.”
The smaller flowers include cool and elegant images reflecting Beale’s love of painting in the style of the Dutch Golden Age.
Canberra Clouds by local artist Roger Beale.
Landscapes have not been neglected, with the inclusion of spectacular local scenes like Canberra Clouds alongside beautiful tonal drawings and paintings of Italy and Spain, including a small oil study of an autostrada built across the Lombardy plains in Northern Italy.
Roger Beale AO is a well-known artist in Canberra and Queanbeyan with more 30 years exhibiting and multiple solo shows at the Solander, M16, Form and Wombat Hollow galleries.
He trained initially with Betty and Roy Churcher, as well as John Molvig. He has also done a course in traditional old master painting techniques at the prestigious Florence Academy of Art in Italy. Formerly one of Australia’s most senior public servants, he retired as Secretary of Environment and Heritage in 2004 to focus on painting.
Sun, Rain, Flowers: A Solo Exhibition by Roger Beale AO opens at 2:00 pm on 5 October at Humble House gallery, Fyshwick and runs through to 27 October. Gallery hours are Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Entry is free.
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