North of Capricorn

the art of RAY CROOKE

by Sue Smith

Published by Perc Tucker Regional Gallery and distributed by Grafico (Qld) Pty Ltd to coincide with the major retrospective exhibition touring Australia November 1997 - December 1998.

``An essential art reference for Australian libraries’’

That’s what Cassie Cassingham, James Hardie Librarian, James Hardie Library of Australian Fine Arts, State Library of Queensland, Brisbane, said after reading ...

‘North of Capricorn: the art of Ray Crooke’

This is the first book to cover the entire career of Ray Crooke (born in Melbourne in 1922). Internationally renowned for his paintings of Australia and the Pacific, Crooke’s awards include the Archibald Prize for portraiture, the Order of Australia and an Honorary Doctorate from Griffith University.

This just released book is gathering many plaudits:

``a colourful and sensitive book of the work of one of Australia’s most gifted sons ... all those who acquire it will treasure it on their bookshelf’’ (Gordon Darling, Gordon Darling Foundation, Melbourne)

``The book is a celebration of Ray Crooke’s extraordinary 50-year career, and will allow even more Australians to recognise his position as one of our most significant artists.’’ (Chris Mitchell, Editor-in-Chief, The Courier-Mail, The Sunday Mail, Brisbane)

``This book is not just about art, it’s a slice of life’’(Rae Allen, Manager ABC Local Radio, Queensland)

``What a wonderful book. Figures in shadows, strong colours, deep tranquility and silence. A very attractive book indeed.’’(Angelos Kakoulidis, Manager, Folio Books, Brisbane’s leading quality book store)

Crooke has lived a remarkable life. His travels through the South Pacific have inspired many of his paintings. In 1949, at the age of 27, he lived among the Torres Strait Islanders on Thursday Island and Moa Island, and signed on as a diver on a trochus lugger working the coral reefs scattered throughout the Strait. His earliest drawings and paintings record the Torres Strait Islanders as they fished on the reef, wove mats, and rested from the heat in darkened huts. There were evenings of dancing and singing under kerosene lamps, Sunday church services with Islander hymns; a funeral followed by feasting.

Crooke’s paintings are in major public and private collections in Australia, Britain, Europe and the United States. His retrospective exhibition, drawn from collections around Australia, tours Australia in 1998.

Anyone who sees the exhibition will want to own this book. For those unfortunate enough to miss it, the book offers lasting consolation.

More than 70 of the artist’s most outstanding paintings are reproduced faithfully in full colour, together with two essays, accounts by Crooke’s contemporaries, a detailed chronology and list of exhibitions and bibliography. In all, 96 pages detailing one of the most captivating of Australian artists and his fascinating life and art.

The book comprises: Introduction and additional text by critic and curator, Sue Smith. Essay by distinguished Australian artist and writer, James Gleeson. Additional commentary and reviews by renowned Australian artists and writers, George Johnston, Russell Drysdale, Daryl Lindsay, Gertrude Langer and others.

Lavishly illustrated in full colour, many of the art works and archival photographs have never before been published. The publication is complemented by: an extensive and detailed catalogue listing, biographical notes, bibliography and list of exhibitions. In every respect, a very complete coverage of the artist.

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