Lot 50

Unframed, excellent gallery condition and free from any damage or deterioration



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In this final piece by Leo Cussen presented for auction we see a focus on popular culture, a recurrent theme woven into the artists' impressive oeuvre. When discussing Cussen and his work, David Hurlston, past Curator of Australian Art Exhibitions at the National Gallery of Victoria, once described Cussen's pastels as 'a complex manifestation of conscious and subconscious expression. It is fresh and spontaneous but at the same time considered and deliberate. He is an artist of immense artistic energy who has an instinctive ability to capture the essence of his subjects.' Throughout his career Cussen proved a powerful and positive creative force. Farnham – then again is a fantastic example of the way in which Cussen could layer aesthetic intensity with light humour. Leo Cussen exhibited widely both nationally and internationally during his lifetime, showing at Australian Galleries, Latrobe Regional Gallery, The Museum of Everything and National Gallery of Australia. His work is also held in numerous public and private collections, including the National Gallery of Victoria and National Gallery of Australia.