Inspiration: The Field and The Field Revisited

In 1968, the new NGV opened in St Kilda Road with a controversial exhibition - The Field. It met with mixed reactions. Shunning established artists, it showcased the work of emerging artists who were experimenting with abstraction. 

‘…40 artists (almost half of whom were in their 20s) were selected by NGV curators John Stringer and Brian Finemore to exhibit geometric, colour-field and hard edge paintings and abstract sculptures.’ (Patrick McCaughey, 21 April 2018)

(I love the feet in this pic!)

 

One of the standout features of the exhibition was the walls - they were covered in a woven silver synthetic material and the divers did not extend to the floor.

In 2018, on the 50th anniversary of the opening of the NGV, the gallery has re-installed the exhibition as The Field Revisited. 



 

The Filed Revisited made me think of frames, borders and dividers.

In recognition of the anniversary the NGV has reproduced the original catalogue and produced a new catalogue.

Share Wolff, Revisiting The Field, Art+ 20 December 22017, Art Guide Australia

The NGV magazine for Jul/August 2018 has a number of articles about The Field and The Field Revisited. 

- Revisiting the Field, Transcript of a conversation between the co-curator and three of the artists.
- The Field Revisited, co curator reflects on the significance of the exhibition
- Modern paints and The Field, reports research into the paint used by artists in The Field
- Robert Hunter: Process and Painting in the Aftermath of The Field, looks at Robert Hunter's subsequent career