Del Kathryn Barton

the women who fell to earth

We see intimate confessions of love, bold expressions of desire, cool regard, and deep beauty as the artist delves the dichotomies of life.

—Naomi Tosic, 2022

Exhibition Dates: 6 May – 28 May 2022

Del Kathryn Barton’s first solo show in three years is an oeuvre of epic proportions. Significant and symbolic, these works represent distinct periods of creative intensity that have produced countless works. Featuring never-before-seen artworks from 2009 – 2022, these modern artefacts parallel the artists acclaimed forays in film, sculpture, fine art and written word; an overflow of creative contemplation and expression.

As the organ of sight, the window to the soul, and an apparatus for immersion and appraisal, the eye of the beheld and the beholder merge in the artist’s inimitable gaze. With titles like listening eyes - singing eyes, brutally soft, eye fucking love you and dream the living, we see intimate confessions of love, bold expressions of desire, cool regard, and deep beauty as the artist delves the dichotomies of life.

Kinetic lines bristle and buckle on the surface. Vivid technicolour and chiaroscuro monochromes flesh out their form. Pulsating or composed, sparse or charged with detail, the curation is immense and immersive. Included in the collection are three solid timber sculptural shells, and a limited edition of Skupa gallery benches, all meticulously inlaid with Barton’s signature eye in Mother of Pearl, Cambian Ash and Rock Maple.

This is one of Australia’s leading artists in her full creative and feminine power.

—Naomi Tosic, 2022

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the women who have gathered for the earth, 2021-22
acrylic on linen
203 x 353 cm

the women who came from the earth, 2022
acrylic on linen
203 x 303 cm

the woman who stood on the earth, 2021-22
acrylic on linen
303 x 203 cm

the women who fell to earth, 2022
acrylic on linen
243 x 203 cm

her earth nature, 2022
acrylic on linen
243 x 203 cm

more the her, 2022
American Black Walnut with Cambia ash and Rock Maple wood, Abalone Green and White Fresh Water mother of pearl inlay, hardwax oil, blackened steel
157 x 100 x 100 cm; 140kg

and float, 2022
Huon Pine with Cambia Ash and Rock Maple inlay, Abalone Red and White fresh water mother of pearl inlay, blackened steel
155 x 90 x 70 cm

of her own nature, 2022
Cambia Ash with Cambia Ash and Rock Maple inlay, Abalone Blue and White Fresh Water mother of pearl inlay, hardwax oil, blackened steel
190 x 100 x 80 cm

my friends have gathered here 4 me, 2022
acrylic on linen
203 x 183 cm

i see, 2020-22
acrylic, oil stick and gouache on linen
246 x 186 cm

alone is good, 2022
acrylic on linen
182.5 x 152.5 cm

brutally soft, 2021
acrylic and archival spray paint on linen, hand finished frame
110 x 89 cm

eye bench, 2022
American White Oak with Cambia Ash and Rock Maple inlay, Abalone Green, Red, Blue and White Fresh Water mother of pearl inlay, brass, ink and watercolour on paper
45 x 240 x 50 cm; 40kg

take yr feelings and set them on the road, 2022
acrylic on linen, hand finished frame
110 x 89 cm

study, 2021-22
acrylic on linen, hand finished frame
110 x 89 cm

bam bam of the vast water punk, 2021
acrylic on linen, hand finished frame
110 x 89 cm

awake now, 2021-22
acrylic and oil on linen, hand finished frame
109.5 x 89 cm

study of adut, 2021-22
acrylic on linen, hand finished frame
110 x 89 cm

the final scene, 2022
acrylic and archival spray paint on linen, hand finished frame
109.5 x 88.5 cm

and float, 2022
oil pastel and gouache on paper, hand finished frame
175 x 129 cm

i give my life - love - heart 2 u, 2021
oil stick, ink and gouache on paper, hand finished frame
175 x 129 cm

giant buggerlugs in the sky, 2020
oil stick and gouache on paper, hand finished frame
175 x 129 cm

untitled, 2020
oil stick and gouache on paper, hand finished frame
175 x 129 cm

untitled, 2020
oil stick and gouache on paper, hand finished frame
175 x 129 cm

eye to i, 2020
oil stick and gouache on paper, hand finished frame
175 x 129 cm

trying to find out why, 2022
oil pastel and gouache on paper
167 x 120.5 cm

shy dude, 2020-22
ink, archival spray paint and watercolour on paper
88.5 x 69 cm

when can i ask u a simple question?, 2021
ink, archival spray paint and watercolour on paper, hand finished frame
89.5 x 70 cm

with me......, 2022
oil pastel, ink and watercolour on paper, hand finished frame
89.5 x 70 cm

into web, 2016
pigment liner on paper
90 x 68.5 cm

eye fucking love you, 2021
oil pastel, oil stick and gouache on handmade paper
89 x 70 cm

tidal flow mad with love, 2021
oil pastel, oil stick and gouache on handmade paper, hand finished frame
90 x 68.5 cm

love 2 fuck you, 2021
oil pastel, oil stick and gouache on paper
83.5 x 64.5 cm

the space around my heart is for you, 2022
oil pastel, oil stick and gouache on handmade paper, hand finished frame
90 x 71.5 cm

their all me, 2010
ink and gouache on paper
46 x 36 cm

boom, 2019
ink and gouache on paper, hand finished frame
49.5 x 37.5 cm

listening eyes - singing eyes, 2016
pigment liner on paper
64 x 46 cm

untitled, 2016
ink and Aquarelle pencil on paper, hand finished paper
63.5 x 45.5 cm

buttons, keys, energy, 2019
ink and gouache on paper, hand finished frame
62.5 x 45.5 cm

dream the living, 2019
ink and gouache on paper, hand finished frame
52 x 54 cm

life of energy, 2016
ink and watercolour on paper, hand finished frame
63.5 x 45.5 cm

the woman who fell to earth, 2022
oil pastel, ink and gouache on paper
166 x 227 cm

nightingale, 2012
ink and watercolour on paper, hand finished frame
46 x 36 cm

thats what u get - its the inside not the out, 2016
ink on paper, hand finished frame
63.5 x 45.5 cm

fuckin love you man - love deepness - it'll be ok, 2016
ink on paper
64 x 46 cm

feeling this from the inside - raw bass - oh well - well love well deep dark well, 2016
ink and gouache on paper
64 x 46 cm

if i sit down - i can't stop my flowers, 2016
ink and gouache on paper, hand finished frame
63.5 x 46 cm

and i turned round and let u go - but ...... i fucking love love love u, 2016
ink on paper, hand finished frame
63.5 x 45.5 cm

untitled, 2016
Aquarelle pencil on paper
64 x 45.5 cm

untitled, 2014
pencil on paper
64 x 46 cm

untitled, 2014
ink on paper
65.5 x 46.5 cm

the love i feel - naked as self, 2021
ink and gouache on paper
164 x 120 cm

ways to be alone, 2020
oil stick and gouache on paper, hand finished frame
167 x 120 cm

untitled, 2016
Aquarelle pencil on paper
64 x 45.5 cm

untitled, 2016
ink on paper
64 x 46 cm

untitled, 2016
Aquarelle pencil on paper
63.5 x 46 cm

ways to be alone, 2020
oil stick and gouache on paper, hand finished frame
167 x 120 cm

untitled, 2014
pencil on paper
64 x 45.5 cm

from the storm ..... in my veins - to match the beauty ..... i am with life - i am with death, 2016
ink and watercolour on paper
65 x 46 cm

whole hole, 2009
monoprint
64 x 45.5 cm

untitled, 2016
pigment liner on paper
65 x 46 cm

love fuck you, 2014
oil, pastel and watercolour on paper
64 x 45.5 cm

untitled, 2016
pigment liner on paper
65 x 46 cm

Group Show, The First 40 Years
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2024

Del Kathryn Barton the women who fell to earth
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2022

Del Kathryn Barton i wanted to build a bed for all the tired beds
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2019

Del Kathryn Barton the highway is a disco
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, 2017-18

Del Kathryn Barton soft river yr girl
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2017

Del Kathryn Barton angel dribble
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2016

Del Kathryn Barton electro orchid
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2014

Group Show, The Gold Award
Rockhampton Art Gallery, Rockhampton, QLD, 2014

Del Kathryn Barton Dark Heart
Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art, 2014

Del Kathryn Barton pressure to the need
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2013

Del Kathryn Barton Archibald Prize
Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 2013

Group Show, Louise Bourgeois and Australian Artists
Heide Museum of Modern Art, Melbourne, 2012

Del Kathryn Barton
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2012

Del Kathryn Barton satellite fade-out
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2011

Group Show, Optimism (i am flesh again)
Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, 2008