Lot 35

Niagara Galleries, Melbourne (label verso)
Private collection, Melbourne
Lawson~Menzies, Sydney, 2 May 2007, lot 527
Private collection, Queensland
Lawson~Menzies, Sydney, 19 March 2008, lot 223
Private collection, Melbourne
Menzies, Sydney, 22 March 2012, lot 66
Company collection, Melbourne
Menzies, Sydney, 10 December 2015, lot 49
Private collection, Melbourne

John Kelly, Niagara Galleries, Melbourne 1998, cat. no. 3 (label verso)

Australian artist John Kelly is known for his sculptural works and paintings that often explore themes of identity, environment, and cultural heritage. Born in 1965, Kelly draws inspiration from his upbringing on a dairy farm, incorporating elements of rural life and the Australian landscape into his art. He gained widespread recognition for his series of cow sculptures, which blend humour and social commentary while challenging traditional notions of art and representation. Through his eclectic body of work, Kelly continues to captivate audiences with his thought-provoking interpretations of Australian identity.

Kelly blends history, social commentary, and personal narrative into his artwork, and his piece First Past the Post-Modern (1998) stands as a testament to his approach. Kelly explores identity and legacy through the lens of his painting depicting the legendary racehorse Phar Lap.

Born in England and raised in Australia, John Kelly's upbringing in both countries deeply influences his artistic perspective. His fascination with cultural icons and historical events is evident in his body of work, which often features surreal interpretations of familiar subjects.

First Past the Post-Modern revolves around the enigmatic figure of Phar Lap, the champion Australian Thoroughbred racehorse. Kelly deconstructs the mythology surrounding Phar Lap, offering viewers a fresh perspective on this iconic symbol of resilience and triumph. The work embodies Kelly's distinctive blend of intelligent social commentary and whimsical humour.

At first glance, First Past the Post-Modern presents a striking image: the severed hindquarters of Phar Lap, meticulously rendered in ghostly white against a backdrop of an Australian landscape. Here, Kelly confronts themes of mortality, legacy, and the passage of time, inviting viewers to contemplate the ephemeral nature of greatness.

Central to Kelly's artistic practice is his exploration of identity and belonging. As an artist with roots in both England and Australia, he grapples with questions of cultural heritage and personal history. First Past the Post-Modern serves as a metaphorical reflection of Kelly's own journey of self-discovery, as he navigates the complexities of his dual identity. By infusing the narrative of Phar Lap with his own experiences and perspectives, Kelly creates a deeply resonant and universally relatable artwork.

Wiebke Brix
Head of Art

© John Kelly/Copyright Agency 2024