Spirits in the Bush

Book excerpt: Spirits in the Bush surveys the art of Gippsland, from the colonial to the contemporary. This expansive, original and illuminating compendium leads readers on a journey through artistic and provincial history, interweaving the lives of residents and visitors. Collectively, it presents a vivid account of the influence of place on the cultural imagination. A fascinating cast of characters includes some of Australia’s best-known and most-loved artists, including Eugène von Guérard, Jessie Traill, Arthur Streeton, Clarice Beckett, Sidney Nolan, Arthur Boyd, Fred Williams, and Jeffrey Smart. Readers will discover also a host of new names destined for recognition. Spirits in the Bush reveals how artists have grappled with a region that is in equal measures beautiful and brutal, and which has provided the stage for many of the key battles in Australian art history. Bound by geographical camaraderie, and with the spectre of Gippsland’s past as an unwavering presence, the stories of their art unfold in a unique dialogue. This publication was made possible through the generous support of the Gordon Darling Foundation.