Watch Video of London Launch and
Sir Ian McKellen's Speech
Artwork Features on Book Cover
Ross Watson's artwork, Untitled #12/09 (after Caravaggio, 1603), features on the cover of Sex before Sex, published by the University of Minnesota Press.
Will Stockton and James M. Bromley
Sex before Sex makes clear that we cannot simply transfer our contemporary notions of what constitutes a sex act into the past and expect them to be true for those who were then reading literature and watching plays. The contributors confront how our current critical assumptions about definitions of sex restrict our understanding of representations of sexuality in early modern England.
Painting Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry and Ross Watson
Stephen Fry sat for a painting in Wellington, the result of which was included in Watson's London exhibition in September 2012, in aid of the Terrence Higgins Trust. The actor, writer, Prince of Twitter and self-confessed 'techno-geek' was excited at the prospect of being depicted in a painting complete with his iPad, after being introduced to Watson's art by Lance Corporal James Wharton. Fry later hosted Stephen Morgan and Ross Watson to an extraordinarily witty and memorable lunch.
The following day, the artist and his partner were invited to Fry's Wellington home for his 'returning to London brunch' after 3 months of filming Peter Jackson's 'The Hobbit', in which he plays the greedy and grotesque 'Master of Lake-town'.
At the party, they met the Welsh actor, Luke Evans who relished playing a leading role of Bard in 'The Hobbit'. Watson and Morgan later had dinner with the handsome Evans, whose career has the trajectory of a rocket, recently starring in 'The Raven' and 'The Immortals'. Evans posed for a painting which resulted in one of the most popular artworks in the recent London exhibition.
Ross Watson, Sir Ian McKellen, Luke Evans and Stephen Morgan, at the London Exhibition Launch
Sam Sparro Portrait Collected by Sir Elton John
Sir Elton John has purchased a set of Watson's 2012 photography, including this striking portrait of Grammy nominated singer-songwriter, Sam Sparro.
Sparro has returned to the forefront with his new electro-soul album "Return To Paradise", and a tour of Australia and the United States.
Sir Ian McKellen Co-Signs Edition Print
Ross Watson and Stephen Morgan recently had the pleasure of meeting with Sir Ian McKellen at his London home. He co-signed an Edition Print featuring Olympic diver, Matthew Mitcham. The exclusive and prized Edition Print has been gifted for fundraising to Stonewall UK.
The Hon. Michael Kirby
"Beautiful subjects. Brilliant details. Wonderful light."
The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG
The Hon. Michael Kirby, who opened the Classic De Novo Exhibition in Sydney
The Hon. Michael Kirby was one of the seven Justices of the High Court of Australia until February 2009. He has also served in many international and United Nations positions including Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations. Highly respected as a judge and lawyer, Michael Kirby is openly gay, and is well known for his insight, warmth and intelligence.
In 2010 he visited the Ross Watson Gallery, sat for a painting which explored the theme of mentoring, opened Watson's Sydney exhibition, and interviewed the artist for his most recent book, Untitled# ROSS WATSON.
The prestigious Ecole du Louvre, established in 1882 and located in the Louvre Museum, is an institution of higher education dedicated to the study of art history, archaeology and anthropology. Watson's now iconic painting depicting Francois Sagat as a saint, was analyzed at a lecture conducted by Maximilien Durand, which specialized in 'Saints and Homosexuality'.
Australian Ambassador Visits Cologne Exhibition
The Australian Ambassador to Germany, Peter Tesch, and Ross Watson at the Gay Games VIII exhibition in Cologne.
A New Book from Ross Watson: Untitled# ROSS WATSON
Introducing this luxury fine art book - a first in twenty years for Bruno Gmunder Publishing. This handsome 224 page hard cover, superbly illustrates Watson's finest paintings and photography, from numerous series spanning the past 15 years. Foreword written by Mark Henderson, Art Historian, formerly of the J. Paul Getty Center, Los Angeles.
The book includes a fascinating interview with the artist by former High Court Judge, The Hon. Michael Kirby.
This is an essential addition for collectors of fine art books and followers of the artist's career.
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"An absolutely remarkable publication!
This book is wonderful documentary evidence of Ross Watson's diversity as an artist. It is much more than a coffee table book - this is an edition for collectors."
Professor Martin Comte OAM, PhD
Limited Number of Signed First Edition Copies
of Untitled# ROSS WATSON
Available Exclusively at rosswatson.com
Please let us know by email to whom you would like the book dedicated.
AU$140
Signed First Edition Exhibition Price
AU$175 US$179 €139 £115
Signed First Edition Price Including Postage and Handling
Pages: 224,
Size: 26 x 34 cm / 10.25 x 13.5 inch,
Format: Hardcover with dust jacket
Colour: full colour
ISBN 978-3-86787-149-5
Click here to pre-order a copy signed by the artist.
"Ross' magnificent book arrived here in Edinburgh at lunch time today - very impressed that it left Melbourne on 15 September and it is here on 20th." Brian and Rob
"I just received my signed Untitled # ROSS WATSON book in today's mail... positively stunning!" Paul Russell
Havre de Grace USA
"The book arrived in four days - I'm astonished, so many beautiful paintings I'd not seen. Thanks Ross for signing it to me. I will cherish it." Quentin Foy
New York City USA
"Wow, it really is an exceptional book! It arrived two days after I ordered it. Thank you so much." James Harper
Sydney
Reviews of Untitled # ROSS WATSON:
Melbourne's broadsheet The Age gives a more than complementary review of Untitled # ROSS WATSON:
"Isn't it marvellous! I'm incredibly flattered to have been depicted like this in such a stunning scene."
Matthew Mitcham
The National Portrait Gallery's Curator, Dr Christopher Chapman, says that "the National Portrait Gallery is very pleased to acknowledge Matthew Mitcham's contribution to sport and to the gay community by including his portrait in the collection. The painting is terrifically dynamic and is immensely popular with our visitors."
Ross Watson, Matthew Mitcham and Stephen Morgan at the Sydney Exhibition
Matthew Mitcham signing Edition Prints at the Sydney exhibition.
Francois Sagat who visited the Classic De Novo II Sydney Exhibition.
Sagat later modeled for the artist.
Ex-judge rules himself into art exhibition SUZANNE CARBONE
MICHAEL Kirby has hung up his gown and wig as a High Court judge but remains a passionate waver of the gay flag. North Carlton artist Ross Watson, another proud gay man, will feature Kirby in his exhibition Classic De Novo II to celebrate famous Australian gay role models during the 2010 Midsumma Festival. Kirby is a fan of Watson's ''contemporary realism'' brushstrokes and agreed to pose after seeing a painting of Olympic gold-medal diver Matthew Mitcham. Kirby strolled into the Nicholson Street gallery on Tuesday for the sitting and even before the canvas has dried, the work has been snapped up. Watson said: ''The painting has pre-sold to a local legal eagle, setting a price record.'' Sir Elton John collects Watson's work, as does Grant Hackett, Petro Georgiou, the NGV and the National Gallery of Australia. Here's Elton's endorsement: ''I never tire of his paintings.'' Now Kirby: ''Beautiful subjects. Brilliant detail. Wonderful light. At once classic and challenging.'' The verdict is in.
Read Professor Martin Comte's fascinating insight of the Mitcham Painting
Ross Watson's recent painting featuring Australia's Olympic Gold Medal diving champion Matthew Mitcham is based on The fall of Phaeton by Sebastiano Ricci.
In the painting by Ricci, Phaeton, son of the sun-god Helios (or Apollo according to which version of mythology you favour), is falling from the sun chariot, as represented in Watson's painting by the falling horses. Watson has cleverly placed Matthew Mitcham in the bottom foreground of the painting – not in his usual pose of diving down, but this time rising up: perhaps to catch the falling Phaeton? It is a brilliant move by Watson to turn Mitcham 'upside-down' – that is, right way up! A lesser artist might have portrayed Mitcham as Phaeton himself. But no – Phaeton is falling and not diving: unlike Mitcham when he descends head-first, Phaeton is not in control. Watson introduces Mitcham as a new element that does not appear in Ricci's original work.
No representation of Watson's painting can capture its vibrant colours – particularly the background turquoise. Is this Watson's acknowledgement of the water in which Mitcham is triumphant? Or is it to represent the notion of cool water in opposition to the heat of the sun?
In Watson's painting we have the progeny of the sun-god falling into the arms of a 'water-god': a wonderful juxtaposition of opposites. It is Mitcham and not Phaeton who shines in this work.
Professor Martin Comte OAM, PhD
Marco Da Silva models in Berlin
Marco Da Silva, Kylie Minogue's most popular dancer, visited Watson's recent Berlin exhibition and modeled for Untitled 19/09 (after Caravaggio, 1596)
Click here to see more photos from the Berlin Vernissage
'Love conquers all; let us all yield to love!': In his second reference of Caravaggio's 'Victorious Cupid', Watson's superb feature-painting for his upcoming Berlin exhibition explores the notion of the disposable and the sustainable in today's society. Depicted life-sized, contemporary German model Marcel holds a digital camera and stands in the foreground of the 17th Century scene. Watson produces just one painting of this size and calibre each year.
"On my many visits to the Gemaldegalerie I have felt a strong connection with Carravaggio's paintings, being struck by the almost photographic naturalism of his technique. The candid expression of cupid here is a perfect example. In Caravaggio's era everything was hand-crafted, cared for and kept, unlike so much today including many digital images which are discarded. I decided to paint Marcel lifesize to increase the level of realism".
This painting after Caravagio 1603 (Oil on board, 75 x 85 cm / 30" x 33") was sold to a private collection in London for US$21,500. Paintings included in the forthcoming Berlin exhibition may be pre-purchased, and will be available for shipping ex-Berlin July 1.
Canada's hit gay travel TV series,BUMP!TV, visited Ross' recent Sydney exhibition. Presenter Shannon McDonough spoke with Ross about his art and career, in an interview which will be included in an episode featuring Australia, screening in Europe, the U.K. and North America from May 2008.
:: ROSS WATSON
MCV COVER FEATURE:
Beauty and Meaning - a feature interview with Ross Watson by Lucy Elliot in this December 2007 issue No 361, which illustrates Ross' portrait of Jake Shears, the edition of which is now sold out.
This painting which references Hans Holbein's (The Younger) 'Sir Thomas More', was commissioned by a Melbourne collector who is a lawyer, and who features on the painting's right side. Sir Thomas More was King Henry VIII's lawyer and was beheaded after King Henry commuted the sentence from hanging, drawing and quartering. Subsequently canonised, Saint Thomas More is a patron saint of lawyers and statesmen.
Holbein's painting hangs in The Frick Museum in New York, where Ross and the collector have enjoyed viewing it. This painting was the sole suggestion the collector made to Ross, and the rest was a surprise. On seeing it finished he commented, "Oh Ross, it far exceeds my greatest expectations".
:: PROFESSOR
DENNIS ALTMAN TO OPEN SYDNEY EXHIBITION:
In 1971, Dennis Altman published his book Homosexual:
Oppression and Liberation - considered an important
intellectual contribution to the ideas that shaped Australia's
gay liberation movement. In 2005, he also published Gore
Vidal's America, a study, as the title suggests,
of Gore Vidal and his writings on history, politics, sex,
and religion.
In 1985, Altman accepted an appointment at La Trobe University,
where he later became Professor of Politics; he was appointed
the visiting Chair of Australian Studies at Harvard University
from January 2005.
:: ROSS WATSON
BNEWS COVER STORY:
Ross is featured on the January 24 cover of BNews - Melbourne
Star.
Ross and Elton recorded
a JOY Melbourne Radio I.D. after Elton
learnt of the station, and how it was the first (and after
the demise of a gay and lesbian station in Sydney), remains
the only one of it's kind in Australia.
Sir Elton John was thrilled to receive from Ross Watson a complete set
of photographs from his current Melbourne exhibition - Catalogue
XXVII Photographs.
Elton has bought three large photographs from the series
for his private collection.
Gifted to the ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION and valued at AUS$30,000, the photographs will be auctioned
at Elton's 2007 White Tie and Tiara Ball.
Ross and partner Stephen Morgan, introduced high profile
AFL footballers, Brodie Holland and Paul Licuria, to Elton
at a back-stage party at his Melbourne concert Sunday 3rd
December.
Ross' 2006 London exhibition
received the greatest number of visitors, editorial coverage
and commissions of any exhibition to date.
The classical references in the paintings caught the attention
of the Libraries and Archive Department at The National
Gallery in London, who have requested related artwork
for their historical records.
:: CABLE TV
FEATURE:
Ross' art and career is profiled in the FOX8 Television series OUT & ABOUT (Series
1, Episode 5 - Melbourne), screening in Australia, North
America, Europe and the U.K..
:: UNTITLED
#17/04 SELECTED FOR NGV COVER:
Ross Watson's painting Untitled #17/04 (after Jacques-Louis David, 1784; featuring
Brodie Holland) has been selected for the cover of Issue
1 of the quarterley journal Australian Football.
It is this edition that will be used as a souvenir for the
National Gallery of Victoria's "The Spirit of
Football" exhibition.
:: The National
Portrait Gallery exhibits Untitled
#9/03 (after Coypel, 1709 - Ian Roberts), the museum's
board having approved the painting for the permanent collection,
which includes portraits of famous Australians - from Cathy
Freeman to Kylie Minogue. Featuring Australia's most
famous gay man, ex football star, now NIDA Drama Academy
graduate, it is the first painting depicting Ian Roberts
in the museum's collection.
:: COLLECTOR'S
WAITING LIST:
A non refundable AUS$100 registration fee is payable to
join this list if you have not previously purchased a Ross
Watson painting.
Wait List Collectors will be the first to be offered new
paintings before they are featured on the website or in
magazine editorials, with the collector at the top of the
list at any given time offered first choice.
Please email
us your contact details should you wish to be placed
on that list.
:: COMMISSIONS:
Paintings may be commissioned and attract a 30% fee (ie. a painting of the size catalogued at $20,000, would be $26,000).
As the collector, you will enjoy the opportunity to communicate
your favorite themes, classical artists and models. The
final concept is arrived at through a process of negotiation
between the collector and the artist. The proposed concept
must be of relevance to the artist's work, and he reserves
the right to decline a proposal. A non-refundable deposit
of 50% is required on the commission's commencement,
and the balance due on completion after we have forwarded
you an image of the painting by email.
:: Collections
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, Australia
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
Sir Elton John Collection, United Kingdom
Sir William Dobell Foundation, Sydney, Australia
Charles Cholmondeley, London, United Kingdom
Robert Woolley, Sotheby's New York, USA
Allens Arthur Robinson, Sydney, Australia
The Von Engelhardt Collection, Geneva, Switzerland
James J. O'Donnell Collection, New York, USA
James D. Wolfensohn, President, The World Bank 1995-2005, Washington DC, USA
David Stevens Collection, Boston, USA
Abbott Tout Russell Kennedy, Sydney, Australia
Pancontinental, Sydney, Australia
Dave Clark Collection, London, United Kingdom
Ian Roberts Collection, Sydney, Australia
Grant Hackett, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Professor Andrew Kaye, Melbourne, Australia
Russell Mulcahy, Sydney, Australia
Leslie Walford AM, Sydney, Australia
The Hon. Petro Georgiou M.P., Melbourne, Australia
The K. Adams Collection, London, United Kingdom
Dr Brett Archer Collection, Melbourne, Australia
Timothy Chow Collection, New York, USA
Elton John and Ross Watson, Melbourne 2012
"Having known Ross Watson for a long time, and been a collector
of his art, I had the opportunity recently to visit his gallery,
which reconfirmed my belief that he is a great talent. I never
tire of his paintings - he is a leader in contemporary realism."
Sir Elton John
"Ross Watson's paintings are obviously the work of a master of technique. The conjunction of modern naturalism and classic works makes it hard to believe one's eyes.
His newest work is irresistible because it has been inspired by the generous nature of a concerned citizen. We admire him and wonder."
Ian McKellen
"Ross' work masterfully encapsulates realism and desire."
Jake Shears
Scissor Sisters front man, Jake Shears, relaxing with Ross after
modeling for new paintings and photographs.
Ross Watson Gallery Newsletter:
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Stephen Morgan, Ross Watson, Jake Shears and Paul Licuria at
the Melbourne OVERVIEW exhibition.
HAND CRAFTED FRAMES:
Paintings are framed as illustrated above in hand crafted
silver-leaf and gesso frames, complete with an individually
coloured slip.
Click
here to view larger image of framed painting.
