Peter Upward

Place: Melbourne

Born: 1932

Death: 1984

Biography:

Peter Upward, an Australian artist born in Melbourne in 1932, is considered one of the country's most underrated abstractionists. He studied art at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 1951 and later moved to Sydney in the same year, hoping to escape the figurative expressionists and social realism that dominated the art scene in Melbourne.

Early Life and Career

Upward is known for his gestural, calligraphic works, which are possibly the closest Australia came to mid-twentieth century American Abstract Expressionism. His style has been described as 'gestural minimalism', characterized by a deeply philosophical Australian expressionism. As Peter Upward, he was a key figure in Australian lyrical abstraction, and his works are held in collections around the world, including the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Artistic Style and Influences

Upward's work is influenced by various art movements, including Abstract Expressionism. This post-World War 2 American art movement was the first to achieve international influence for New York and put it at the center of the western art world, replacing Paris. As seen in Pop Art and Beyond: Navigating Contemporary Styles with Wikioo.org, Upward's style is characterized by a blend of abstract and expressionist elements.

• Upward's use of color and form creates a sense of dynamism and energy in his works.
• His gestural, calligraphic style is reminiscent of American Abstract Expressionism.
• Upward's work has been described as 'gestural minimalism', characterized by a deeply philosophical Australian expressionism.

Notable Works and Collections

Some notable works by Upward include his abstract paintings, which are held in collections around the world. As seen in Peter Upward | 1 Artworks Peter Upward | Artworks Peter Upward, his work is characterized by a blend of abstract and expressionist elements. Important works by Upward are held in the Art Gallery of New South Wales, which showcases a wide range of Australian art. As seen in The Museum City Art Gallery (New Zealand), Upward's work is part of a larger collection of Australian and international art. In conclusion, Peter Upward was a pioneering figure in Australian abstraction, known for his gestural, calligraphic works. His style has been described as 'gestural minimalism', characterized by a deeply philosophical Australian expressionism. As seen in Pop Art and Beyond: Navigating Contemporary Styles with Wikioo.org, Upward's work is an important part of the country's art history, and his collections are held in museums around the world, including the Art Gallery of New South Wales.