Guy Morgan - Kevin's chair

Artwork Description:

I painted this treasured item for its symbolism. To me it’s evocative of its previous daily use by Kevin Connor - an icon of Australian art who recently left us, and inherently speaks of his absence.

Mixed acrylic media on canvas in repurposed antique frame. 46 X 39cm (canvas), 54 x 46.5 framed.

Artist Statement:

Though open to the elements in my yard, Kevin’s chair is something I see every day, protruding at an angle from the fence, under a bush that protects it from the morning sunlight.

The chair is made of wicker. It used to be Kevin’s studio chair – given to me by the man who I greatly respect – an accomplished Australian artist who recently passed.

For many decades Kevin sat in his studio chair as he contemplated the day’s work. Kevin had no further use it. Firstly he found it too hard to rise from and, more poignantly Kevin no longer had the energy to paint.

Appropriately my painting of his chair sits in an old, repurposed frame.

I selected this treasured, weathered item for its symbolism. To me it’s evocative of its previous daily use and inherently speaks of his absence.

Artist Bio:

Guy’s art practice is eclectic and he is best known for his work in portraiture. He appeared in the Archibald Prize (2013 & 2015) and the Salon des Refusés (2017). In 2015, he was one of only three artists to be a finalist in both the Archibald and Moran Prizes. Longlisted by the National Portrait Gallery in London for his entry in this year’s Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award, his work has appeared in most of the major painting competitions in Australia. He has exhibited widely across Australia and his work is held in private collections in Australia, New Zealand, America and Europe.

His submission ‘Written with a finger on a steamed-up window’ won ArtScreen 2023 and his film premiered at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney as part of its celebrations for International Day of People with Disability in December 2023. To date, the film has been included in International Festivals in USA, UK, Germany, Spain, France, Switzerland and Australia.

Guy wrote and launched his first book at the end of 2021 – ‘The Empire Sells Out’, which is now available worldwide (ISBN: 9780645301717). The book also contains 48 of his original illustrations.

He holds a Master of Studio Arts (Painting) from Sydney College of the Arts and served on the Academic Board. Between 2017-2020 he was a Board Member of Arts Access Australia, the peak body for arts and disability in Australia. Guy currently te­­­aches painting as part of the Pine Street Creative Tutor Panel for City of Sydney.