Rex Backhaus-Smith
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All works listed here are available for purchase. Please note -
For further information please contact us via 0414-261723 or email us at admin@artoncairncross.com.au Many Thanks, Jane and Tony |
Painting - Watercolours - Acrylics
Born: Surat, Queensland 1935. Resides: Sunshine Coast. "Rex is a dedicated and innovative artist who has deep feelings for the land. He has the technical and creative ability to portray, sincerely and well, what he obviously loves." - Clifton Pugh (artist) Such genuine sentiments show that Rex Backhaus-Smith is one of Queensland's most celebrated and inspired artists. Having made the Sunshine Coast hinterland his home now for nearly ten years, there is plenty of inspiration from his everyday surrounds, but this has not curbed his curiosity to experience different parts of the world from Greece, Spain or Morocco to Bali, Thailand and Java and yet his greatest influence and love is the Outback. Rex's childhood and much of his life as a teacher was spent in Western Queensland and his fascination with the landscape, its creatures and history are the sources of many major works. He brings to life characters, stories and his own experiences sometimes realistically and sometimes symbolically, but always creating a lasting image. Rex uses figures, wildlife and colour with a flow that entices the viewer through the story of each work to glean every detail and keep seeking more. His use of windows, bubbles or ghosting allows so many different facets of a scene or moment to be portrayed and therefore continue the fascination. Such a career is nigh on impossible to summarise; an artist who has had major exhibitions worldwide; who has had two books already written about him and been published in many more and has acquired and international following. Yet Rex Backhaus-Smith is one of nature's true gentlemen. His skills as an art tutor continue to be appreciated by many and his paintings admired by peers and public. For this is art from truly creative soul expressing all aspects of his life's experiences thus far. |
Trapped - Arcylic on Canvas - 93x153cm
Roos and Boabs - Arcylic on Canvas - 100x100cm
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Viewing the Pinnacles - Acrylic on Canvas - 100x100cm
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Earth Connections - Acrylic on Canvas - 100x100cm
Mozaic Moments - Watercolour & Gouache - 54x37cm
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The Audience - Watercolour & Gouache - 74x54cm
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Eye on the Target - Watercolour & Gouache - 54x37cm
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Dance of the Blue Wrens - Watercolour & Gouache - 54x37cm
Desert Sonata (Diptych) - Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas - 227x125cm per panel
Rhythms of the Dragonfly - Acrylic on Canvas - 60x150cm
Carnarvon Parrots - Acrylic on Canvas - 100x100cm
The Kite Looks On - Acrylic on Canvas - 120x60cm
Predator at Dusk - Acrylic on Canvas - 90x90cm
From Carnarvon to the Glasshouses - Acrylic on Canvas - 60x150cm
Gol Gol Ruins - Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas - 100x100cm
Butterfly & Banksia - Watercolour & Gouache - 56x76cm
Early Morning, Yellow Water, NT - Watercolour - 41x74cm
Boats on a River I - Watercolour & Gouache - 30x20cm
Hooked - Watercolour & Gouache - 36x54cm
Confrontation - Acrylic on Canvas - 150x150cm
For All Seasons - Acrylic on Canvas - 150x150cm
Spanish Icons - Acrylic on Canvas - 100x100cm
Whaler No. 10, Norfolk- Watercolour & Gouache - 22x74cm
Windows to the Burnt Earth - Watercolour & Gouache - 74x54cm
Blue Morning - Watercolour & Gouache - 74x54cm
Reflections on a Country Town - Watercolour & Gouache on Paper - 100x150cm
Entering the Diamantina - Watercolour & Gouache on Paper - 150x100cm
Artist Information
Leading artist Rex Backhaus-Smith was a finalist in the ‘Q150 Icons’ in 2009 to celebrate all the best of Queensland, when the State turned 150 years old. His wonderful career of over 40 years as a professional painter has had many such highlights, and such respect and standing has been earned from his remarkable originality and technical skills.
Born and raised in the west of the state, his contemporary paintings have been synonymous with the Outback, however, this extremely well-travelled artist has many more inspirations from which to draw.
In 2012 Rex had a near fatal accident just before a planned trip through Europe. His remarkable recovery is a measure of the man and finally allowed for a short visit to Thursday Island, followed by the European tour at the end of 2013. “Gondolas, Gaudi and Pearls of the Sea” is the culmination of this and suites of works reflect the artist’s visions of such places as Venice, Barcelona and the old pearling luggers of Thursday Island – all of which he has now revisited with a renewed insight and approach to life. Rex’s paintings have always had a story to tell, but now there is also a distinct air of joie de vivre.
Leading artist Rex Backhaus-Smith was a finalist in the ‘Q150 Icons’ in 2009 to celebrate all the best of Queensland, when the State turned 150 years old. His wonderful career of over 40 years as a professional painter has had many such highlights, and such respect and standing has been earned from his remarkable originality and technical skills.
Born and raised in the west of the state, his contemporary paintings have been synonymous with the Outback, however, this extremely well-travelled artist has many more inspirations from which to draw.
In 2012 Rex had a near fatal accident just before a planned trip through Europe. His remarkable recovery is a measure of the man and finally allowed for a short visit to Thursday Island, followed by the European tour at the end of 2013. “Gondolas, Gaudi and Pearls of the Sea” is the culmination of this and suites of works reflect the artist’s visions of such places as Venice, Barcelona and the old pearling luggers of Thursday Island – all of which he has now revisited with a renewed insight and approach to life. Rex’s paintings have always had a story to tell, but now there is also a distinct air of joie de vivre.
Rex Backhaus-Smith has cemented a considerable career which is firmly grounded in the outback. Despite numerous overseas trips to experience the art of all corners of the globe, he returns almost obsessively to the bush he grew up in, still respects and frequently re-explores. His paintings portray the topography, flora, fauna and history of this unique place, but all with a rare insight of passion and spirit. His work has been most aptly described as ‘white man dreaming’ as it captures the rhythms of nature from dry to wet seasons and the migration of the emus to the man-made cycles of use and then abandonment of land. His desire to share his rich knowledge is apparent as he weaves stories into each painting, which demand exploration to unearth all of the underlying poetic treasures. In a recent interview he said “I think of (the land) as my cathedral….like a pilgrim is drawn to a holy shrine, I am drawn to the outback. My desire is to create something more lasting than a fleeting visual image, which will encourage the viewer to look more closely. Many of my paintings possess a lyrical surrealism – a dream-like quality related to nature...I believe in the spirit of things.”
His 2009 book, ‘Rex Backhaus-Smith – an artist’s journey’ by Jill Brannock, gives a delightful insight into how a young man seemingly destined to eke a living off the land, steadfastly followed his inherent need to educate himself, to travel and to create, but equally depicts the gentle character of a man as comfortable preparing a sheet of Arches as he is establishing a bush camp. His bush skills have often been remarked upon by those who have travelled with him along the Strzelecki Track or through the Tanami, while his artistic abilities have been admired and studied by many. Please contact the gallery for details about the book.
His 2009 book, ‘Rex Backhaus-Smith – an artist’s journey’ by Jill Brannock, gives a delightful insight into how a young man seemingly destined to eke a living off the land, steadfastly followed his inherent need to educate himself, to travel and to create, but equally depicts the gentle character of a man as comfortable preparing a sheet of Arches as he is establishing a bush camp. His bush skills have often been remarked upon by those who have travelled with him along the Strzelecki Track or through the Tanami, while his artistic abilities have been admired and studied by many. Please contact the gallery for details about the book.
COLLECTIONS;
The National Library, Canberra
Queensland Parliament House
Northern Territory Art Gallery
Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices, Brisbane
Toowoomba City Gallery
University of Southern Queensland (McGregor Collection)
Toowoomba Grammar School
Downlands College Collection, Toowoomba
The Wesley Hospital Collection
Newstead House Collection
The Oxley Library, Brisbane
The Bodley Head, London
Queensland Teachers Credit Union
Legends Hotel, Gold Coast
Tattersalls Club, Brisbane
Qantas, Brisbane
Chinchilla Art Gallery, Qld.
University of the Sunshine Coast, Qld.
And in private collections worldwide.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS;
1961 - Corones Hall, Charleville, Qld.
1967 - T.C. Beirnies, Brisbane, Qld.
1968 - Toombul centre, Brisbane, Qld.
1969 - Tia Galleries, Toowoomba, Qld.
Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Qld.
1970 - Don McInnes Gallery, Brisbane, Qld.
1971 - Royal Queensland Art Society, Brisbane, Qld.
1974 - Mavis Chapman Gallery, Sydney, N.S.W.
1975 - Tia Galleries, Toowoomba, Qld.
1976 - Lowndes Lodge Gallery, London, U.K.
1978 - New Central Galleries, Brisbane, Qld.
1981 - Tia Galleries, Toowoomba, Qld.
1984 - Downs Galleries, Toowoomba, Qld.
Travelling Exhibition across Queensland visiting -Rockhampton City Art Gallery; International Hotel, Townsville;
Pacific International Hotel, Cairns; & Mount Isa Cultural Centre
1985 - Travelling Exhibition across N.S.W. visiting - Civic Centre, Dubbo; Civic Centre, Orange; City Hall, Bathurst
& Griffith Regional Art Gallery
1986 - Adrian Slinger Galleries,,Brisbane
1988 - The Waterfall Gallery (group), Cairns, Qld.
Toowoomba City Art Gallery, Qld.
1989 - Tom Silver Fine Art Gallery, Melbourne, Vic.
1990 - Performing Arts Centre, Darwin, N.T.
Queensland House Gallery, London, U.K.
Saatchi & Saatchi (group), London, U.K.
Rebecca Hossack Gallery, London, U.K.
1991 - Solander Gallery, Canberra, A.C.T.
1992 - Framed Gallery, Darwin, N.T.
1993 - Downs Gallery, Toowoomba, Qld.
1994 - Noosa Sheraton , Noosa, Qld.
Art Galleries Schubert, Gold Coast, Qld.
1995 - The Pottery Gallery, Mount Isa, Qld.
The Upstairs Gallery, Cairns, Qld.
1996 - Noosa Regional Gallery, Tewantin, Qld.
1997 - Adrian Slinger Galleries, Brisbane, Qld.
1998 - Tony Gill Galleries, Montville, Qld.
Art Galleries Schubert, Gold Coast, Qld.
1999 - Framed Gallery, Darwin, N.T.
2000 - Noosa Regional Gallery, Tewantin, Qld. touring to Cooloola Regional Gallery; Caloundra Regional Gallery
& University of the Sunshine Coast Gallery.
2001 - "Beyond the Burnt Earth" , Tony Gill Galleries, Montville, Qld.
The Private Gallery, Sydney, N.S.W.
2002 - "In the Wake of Starlight" , Tony Gill Galleries, Montville, Qld.
Gallery Dauphin (group), Singapore.
2003 - Noosa Regional Gallery (group)
2004 - Toowoomba Rotary (group)
2005 - "Travelling West" , Art on Cairncross, Maleny at Graydon Gallery, Brisbane
2006 - With Judith Laws, Art on Cairncross, Maleny
2007 - "Outback Odyssey" with Tom McAulay , Art on Cairncross at Graydon Gallery, Brisbane
touring to White Gums Gallery, Chinchilla, Qld.
Wesley Art Collection 30th birthday exhibition, Brisbane
2008 - Two Artists with Judith Laws, Art on Cairncross, Maleny
2009 - "an artists journey" , Art on Cairncross at Graydon Gallery, New Farm
touring to Noosa Regional Gallery; Art on Cairncross, Maleny; Surat on Balonne Gallery ; Stockmans Hall of Fame, Longreach.
& Warwick Regional Gallery.
2010 - Toowoomba Regional Gallery
Finalist Sunshine Coast Art Prize
2011 - Feature Artist, October at Art on Cairncross, Maleny
2012 - "Footprints on a Timeless Land" , Art on Cairncross, Maleny
"Rex Backhaus-Smith:Painting Life" - University of the Sunshine Coast, Qld.
Finalist Sunshine Coast Art Prize
2013 - "Watercourse" - February, Art on Cairncross, Maleny
Finalist Kenilworth Art Prize
Finalist Tattersalls Art Prize
2014 - "Gondolas, Gaudi and Pearls of the Sea" April at Art on Cairncross, Maleny
2015 - Finalist, Sunshine Coast Art Prize, Caloundra
2016 - "Mutual Respect" (with Tom McAulay, Rick Everingham and Mike Nicholas) June - Art on Cairncross
2017- "Diversity of Land & Spirit" (with Judith Laws) - Art on Cairncross
2018 - "Earth Connections" (with Rowley Drysdale) - Art on Cairncross
2018 - Feature artist Downlands College Art Exhibition
