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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'When he died in 1992 Brett Whiteley left behind decades of ceaseless activity—some works bound to a particular place or time, others that are masterpieces of light and line.
'Whiteley had arrived in Europe in 1960 determined to make an impression. Before long he was the youngest artist to have work acquired by the Tate. With his wife, Wendy, and daughter, Arkie, Whiteley then immersed himself in bohemian New York. But within two years he fled, having failed to break through.
'Back in Sydney, he soon became Australia’s most celebrated artist. He won the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes in the same year—his prices soared, as did his fame. Among his friends were Francis Bacon and Patrick White, Billy Connolly and Dire Straits. Yet addiction was taking its toll: Whiteley struggled in vain to separate his talent from his disease, and an inglorious end approached.
'Written with unprecedented behind-the-scenes access, and handsomely illustrated with classic Whiteley artworks, rare notebook sketches and candid family photos, this dazzling biography reveals for the first time the full portrait of a mercurial artist.' (Publication summary)
Notes
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Dedication: For Zoe and Raphael
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Finally, a Biography the Artist Deserves
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 13-14 August 2016; (p. 26) The Sunday Age , 14 August 2016; (p. 20)
— Review of Brett Whiteley : Art, Life and the Other Thing 2016 single work biography -
Art, Life and the Other Thing
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: Sydney Review of Books , August 2016;
— Review of Brett Whiteley : Art, Life and the Other Thing 2016 single work biography -
Wendy Relishes ‘some Very Touching Things about Brett’ as Whiteley Biography Is Launched
2016
single work
column
— Appears in: The Australian , 3 August 2016; (p. 15) -
Damaged Glamour
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 30-31 July 2016; (p. 18)
— Review of Brett Whiteley : Art, Life and the Other Thing 2016 single work biography -
'Short-Arsed Sex Pixie' : A Clear-Eyed Account of an Artist's Life
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , September no. 384 2016; (p. 13-14)
— Review of Brett Whiteley : Art, Life and the Other Thing 2016 single work biography'Notwithstanding the fact that he died alone in a hotel room following a heroin overdose at the age of fifty-three, Brett Whiteley led what for an Australian artist in particular may be characterised as a fortunate life. As Ashleigh Wilson relates in this excellent biography, Whiteley retained the capacity to astonish, despite his misadventures.' (Introduction)
-
Damaged Glamour
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 30-31 July 2016; (p. 18)
— Review of Brett Whiteley : Art, Life and the Other Thing 2016 single work biography -
Art, Life and the Other Thing
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: Sydney Review of Books , August 2016;
— Review of Brett Whiteley : Art, Life and the Other Thing 2016 single work biography -
Finally, a Biography the Artist Deserves
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 13-14 August 2016; (p. 26) The Sunday Age , 14 August 2016; (p. 20)
— Review of Brett Whiteley : Art, Life and the Other Thing 2016 single work biography -
Ashleigh Wilson : Brett Whiteley: Art, Life and the Other Thing
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: The Newtown Review of Books , September 2016;
— Review of Brett Whiteley : Art, Life and the Other Thing 2016 single work biography -
'Short-Arsed Sex Pixie' : A Clear-Eyed Account of an Artist's Life
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , September no. 384 2016; (p. 13-14)
— Review of Brett Whiteley : Art, Life and the Other Thing 2016 single work biography'Notwithstanding the fact that he died alone in a hotel room following a heroin overdose at the age of fifty-three, Brett Whiteley led what for an Australian artist in particular may be characterised as a fortunate life. As Ashleigh Wilson relates in this excellent biography, Whiteley retained the capacity to astonish, despite his misadventures.' (Introduction)
-
Wendy Relishes ‘some Very Touching Things about Brett’ as Whiteley Biography Is Launched
2016
single work
column
— Appears in: The Australian , 3 August 2016; (p. 15)
Awards
- 2017 winner 'The Nib': CAL Waverley Library Award for Literature — The Alex Buzo Shortlist Prize
- 2017 shortlisted 'The Nib': CAL Waverley Library Award for Literature
- 2017 longlisted Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) — Australian Biography of the Year
- 2016 longlisted Walkley Award — Best Non-Fiction Book