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Outer Circle

The Boyds and the Murrumbeena Artists

Free entry

The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square

Level 2

17 Oct 14 – 9 Mar 15

This exhibition looks at one of the most significant artistic groups in mid twentieth-century Melbourne, which gathered at the Boyd family property, Open Country, at Murrumbeena. It presents the work of Australia’s first studio potter, Merric Boyd and the impact of war on his family and their artistic output. It also explores the exuberant post-war production of paintings, drawings, ceramics and sculpture by Arthur Boyd, John Perceval and others at Open Country and the Arthur Merric Boyd Pottery.

Exhibition labels

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Arthur BOYD
The weathercock 1944
oil on muslin on (board)
(61.4 x 73.8 cm)
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased through The Art Foundation of Victoria with the assistance of The Shell Company of Australia Limited, Founder Benefactor, 1988
A7-1988
© Arthur Boyd’s work reproduced with the permission of Bundanon Trust, https://www.bundanon.com.au
Family and friends at Open Country, c1951
Left to right (back) David Boyd, Merric Boyd, Hatton Beck; (centre) Guy Boyd, Lucy Boyd (holding a child), Mary Boyd, John Perceval, unknown, Yvonne Boyd and son Jamie; (front) Doris Boyd, Arthur Boyd, Joy Hester
Arthur Boyd's studio at Open Country c.1945
L-R: Matcham Skipper, Myra Skipper, Joy Hester, Yvonne Lennie, Arthur Boyd and David Boyd
© Courtesy Bundanon Trust
Merric Boyd modelling a pot 1930
© Courtesy Bundanon Trust
Arthur Merric Boyd Pottery c.1950
© Courtesy Bundanon Trust
John PERCEVAL
Ocean beach, Sorrento 1957
enamel paint and tempera on canvas on composition board
83.8 x 111.8 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Presented through The Art Foundation of Victoria by Mrs G. H. Hillas, Governor, 1997
1997.66
© Courtesy of the artist's estate
John PERCEVAL
Exodus from a bombed city 1942
oil on (composition board)
(82.6 x 109.2 cm)
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased through The Art Foundation of Victoria with the assistance of Dinah and Henry Krongold, Founder Benefactors, 1987 Benefactors,1987
A2-1987
© Courtesy of the artist's estate
John PERCEVAL
Gannets diving 1956
enamel paint and gouache on composition board
91.5 x 122.0 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Presented by the National Gallery Society of Victoria as the winner of The John McCaughey Memorial Prize, 1957
3763-4
© Courtesy of the artist's estate
Arthur BOYD
Christ carrying the Cross (1946) {or (1947)}
oil on canvas
86.7 x 100.6 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
The Joseph Brown Collection. Presented through the NGV Foundation by Dr Joseph Brown AO OBE, Honorary Life Benefactor, 2004
2004.143
© Arthur Boyd’s work reproduced with the permission of Bundanon Trust, https://www.bundanon.com.au
Merric BOYD
Lamp 1931
earthenware
30.2 x 16.8 cm diameter
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased from Admission Funds, 1990
D18-1990
© Courtesy of the artist's estate
Merric BOYD
Jug 1931
earthenware
28.5 x 21.2 x 18.0 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased from Admission Funds, 1986
D40-1986
© Courtesy of the artist's estate
Merric BOYD
Jug 1930
earthenware
13.8 x 16.4 x 12.1 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Miss L. Ronald, 1973
D230-1973
© Courtesy of the artist's estate
Arthur BOYD
Figure with crutches, fallen figure and figures on bench 1942
reed pen and ink
25.6 x 29.0 cm irreg. (image) 26.4 x 29.0 cm (sheet)
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, 1964
1593-5
© Arthur Boyd’s work reproduced with the permission of Bundanon Trust, https://www.bundanon.com.au
Merric BOYD
Lamp 1931
earthenware
30.2 x 16.8 cm diameter
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased from Admission Funds, 1990
D18-1990
© Courtesy of the artist's estate

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