Peter Neilson

Peter Neilson is my all time favorite painter.

A couple of years ago whilst visiting The Art Fair in Melbourne with my sister, I stumbled across his work.  I fell in love.

Peter Neilson, “Anthony and Cleo (endless)”, 2011. Oil on linen, 2 panels, each 150 x 150 cm. Can be paired on any edge. Courtesy the artist and Australian Galleries – Melbourne and Sydney

The painting above - can be paired on any edge - amazing - will it tell a different story.



When I saw his work at the Art Fair the price for a piece similar to the one above was priced at $20,000.00.  Way out of my price range.  Last year I went to his exhibition at Australian Galleries and the piece was twice the price, moving  further out of my reach.

Peter Neilson, “Interminable: between lift and closure”, 2011. Oil on linen, 100 x 50 cm. Courtesy the artist and Australian Galleries – Melbourne and Sydney

Whilst at the exhibition last year, I stood in front of his paintings for what felt like an eternity.  Being transported to hotel lobbies, where photographs become a living scene, shards of light and a touch of sadness.  It's such an experience that I cannot wait to have again. 
I read on the Australian Galleries site that there will be another solo exhibition in October next year in Sydney, and am already looking forward to it.

Peter Neilson, "Trapped inside Happiness. Tick. Tock.",  2011. Oil on linen. 150 x 300 cm. Courtesy the artist and Australian Galleries – Melbourne and Sydney

My dream is to have one of these on my wall, so that I can look at it whenever I need inspiration, when I feel a little sad, or feel the need to be lost in a beautiful world of mystery.

Peter Neilson as a person is as mysterious as his work.  Finding information on him is very difficult, thought I did read recently that he, had his first exhibition a few years after he finished studying art at RMIT.  After this exhibition he stopped painting for 20 years - or did he simply stop exhibiting?  Honestly, I love his work so much, that I really don't need to know too much about him.  Though knowing that he took such a long break, gives me hope for my own work.  I would love to see his work space.

Peter Neilson, "The fragile thought (where angles fly and fall), 2011. Oil on linen. 100 x 550 cm. Courtesy the artist and Australian Galleries – Melbourne and Sydney"

Simply wonderful.