John Brack
Life and Work
John Brack / National Gallery of Victoria​
A John Brack retrospective was held in 2009 and 2010 in Melbourne and Adelaide. The exhibition surveyed the artist’s complete oeuvre, incorporating paintings and works on paper from all of his major series and included pictures such as The Bar 1954 and Collins St., 5pm. 1955, now regarded as some of the most iconic images of 20th century Australian art.
John Brack Education Resource / National Gallery of Victoria​
This education resource for the John Brack retrospective contains information on the work of John Brack along with the artist's own statements, images of the artist's work, a study of the design elements of the painting 'Collins St, 5pm' and the online audio guide to the gallery's exhibition of Brack's work.
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The bar 1954
oil on canvas 97.0 x 130.3 cm irreg.
John Brack Retrospective Opens In Melbourne​
A transcript of a 7.30 Report on the John Brack retrospective. It includes interviews with Kirsty Grant, Curator of the National Gallery of Victoria, Helen Brack, wife of John Brack and archival footage of John Brack.
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John Brack / Art Gallery of South Australia
John Brack / Art Gallery of NSW
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An article by John McDonald published in the Sydney Morning Herald, June 6, 2009
The art of the forgotten people
A review of the John Brack Retrospective by Tim Wilson in the IPA journal in 2009.
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The chase 1959
oil on composition board 100.2 x 121.8 cm
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John Brack: Master Of Urban Irony​
Judith White looks at the life and art of John Brack in the Art Collector magazine in 1999.
National Portrait Gallery
Portrait of Lyn Williams 1976 Rockhampton Art Gallery
oil on linen
John Brack
Self-portrait 1955
oil on canvas
81.5 x 48.3 cm
John Brack Quotes
"If I choose to paint the life I see around me, it is because I find people more interesting than things." 1956.
"For me I think that there must always be some sort of comment, but it must never be the sort of comment that could be put into words." 1965
"I've always felt somehow safer and more involved in a city." 1965
"I've always been fascinated by people in public places and I never get tired of looking at them." 1965
"What I paint is what interests me most, that is, people; the Human Condition...
A large part of the motive is... the desire to understand and, if possible, to illuminate."
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Videos
John Brack 'Men's wear' 1953 / National Gallery of Victoria
NGV Extra: John Brack: the artist
Points of View: John Brack: Collins St., 5pm. 1955 pt1
John Brack 'The bathroom' 1957 / National Gallery of Victoria