Lloyd Rees: Painting with Pencil 1930-36

Lloyd Rees: Painting with Pencil 1930-36 is a celebration of Sydney, telling the artists story through a series of stunning pencil drawings and sketches.  Having been an active artist for more than 70 years, Rees’s work has been the centre of many exhibitions that have showcased his long and successful career.

However, Painting with Pencil 1930-36 is an in-depth examination of Rees’s drawings from the 30’s period and includes over 30 never seen before images.

Veronica Kooyman, Curator of the exhibition, explained: “For us to be able to look at this very tight period of time, which was six years of his career, gives us a really focussed look at the relationship between an artist and a city and that particular time and his vision of it.”

During the 1930’s Sydney underwent a period of rapid modernisation, with suburbs expanding and the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

“[Rees] was living in that McMahn’s Point area, but he actually, almost turned his back on that,” said Kooyman. “He’s looking more for these timeless qualities and permanence to the city and that’s what he’s representing in these drawings.”

Alongside his work, the exhibition also includes biographical images of Rees and filmed anecdotes from family and friends detailing aspects about the artist and his illustrious career.

Lloyd Rees: Painting with Pencil 1930-36 is a classically beautiful exhibition that everyone will enjoy. (NB)

Dec 12–Apr 10. Museum of Sydney, Cnr Bridge and Phillips St, Sydney. $5-$10. More info: sydneylivingmuseums.com.au

BY NYSSA BOOTH