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| Robert Boynes, Mirage - diptych, acrylic on board, 61 x 102cm. $6,400 |
Silver Thread
Paintings by Robert Boynes
Beaver Galleries, Deakin ACT, 11 - 26 August, 2023
by Tony Magee
Well known Canberra artist Robert Boynes launched his new exhibition “Silver Thread” at Beaver Galleries last night.
Downsizing from his previous style of large, and super large works, more suitable for corporate boardrooms and executive offices, Boynes’ latest works are in smaller formats, more suitable for private homes and private art collections: rectangular measuring 102cm wide and 61cm high, to upright rectangles measuring 51cm by 41cm, plus other sizes in between.
Prices ranged from $3,400 to $7,600, GST included.
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| Robert Boynes, Transfer - diptych, acrylic on canvas, 30.5 x 61cm. $3,400 |
Boynes has generously donated a work to the Capital Arts Patrons Organisation (CAPO) annual auction event every year, over many years.
In 2002, his large and striking work “George Street, 5pm” fetched $11,000, although some of these typically larger works from his previous period have fetched more at other auctions or sale to private buyers through galleries.
I was CAPO President and event producer from 2000 to 2003.
A “Who’s Who” of guests from the arts community attended the Boynes launch, including Boynes himself of course, son Alexander Boynes, Deborah Clark and husband Gordon Bull, newly elected CAPO President Penny Jurkiewicz, Tony and Georgina Griffiths, Beaver Galleries owner Susie Beaver, Dace and Peter de Deckker, myself and many others.
In total, approximately 100 guests.
Arts reviewer Rob Kennedy, writing for Canberra City News Online said: “The 21 works in this exhibition make bold and subtle statements, depending on how you want to view them. But each one makes you think; they make you feel.”
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| Artist Robert Boynes in front of his painting 'In Two Acts' at the Beaver Galleries launch |
He was Head of Painting at the Canberra School of Art for 27 years and is currently Adjunct Associate Professor at the ANU School of Art.
Robert has an extensive exhibition history and has had over 60 solo shows across Australia, the UK and USA.
In 2017, the Drill Hall Gallery at the Australian National University held an extensive survey show of his work, displaying the expanse of his practice.
In 2018, Robert was awarded Canberra Visual Artist of the Year and in 2012 received the Capital Arts Patrons Organisation (CAPO) Fellowship award.
His work is represented in the collections of the National Gallery of Australian as well as all Australian State Galleries, Parliament House, Artbank, Canberra Museum and Gallery and the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Biography reprinted from Beaver Galleries Boynes catalogue “Silver Thread” and also Beaver Galleries website.