Order and dissent
works from the Heide Collection
1 July - 1 March 2009
Venue: Heide II
Curator: Kendrah Morgan
The Bather c. 1954
enamel paint on composition board
122.0 x 91.1 cm
Heide Museum of Modern Art Collection
Photographer: Purchased from John and Sunday Reed 1980
© Robert Dickerson
Order and dissent investigates the dialogue and debate generated by the originality, diversity and non-conformity of a selection of works from the Heide Collection.
When John and Sunday Reed began to collect contemporary art in the 1930s they were attracted to work which challenged the conservative conventions of art-making prevalent at the time and instead embraced progressive modernist ideals, subjects and modes of representation.
Artists whom the Reeds supported from early on defied academic tradition. Personally and in their art practice they emphasised individuality, innovation and the acceptance of alternative points of view. Their conscientious refusal to adhere to accepted norms, while controversial at the time, opened up new ways of thinking and seeing. Dissent was a means by which they could explore complex ideas and express their convictions.
Featuring works from the 1930s to the present day, artists represented include: Sam Atyeo, Moya Dyring, Sidney Nolan, Albert Tucker, Joy Hester, John Perceval, Arthur Boyd, Howard Arkley, Charles Blackman, Peter Booth, Mike Brown, Richard Larter, Sweeney Reed, Wolfgang Sievers and Jenny Watson.
This project has been generously supported by the Ivor Ronald Evans Foundation.
