Steve Lopes is not looking to make a pretty picture. For a work to be enduring he believes ‘there has to be a level of poison in it’, some gritty quality that keeps you coming back.
His powerful painting which won the Gallipoli Art Prize this year contains that little bit of poison. It lures the viewer with an evocative sunset only to reveal the reminders of battle trenches and detritus scattered across the landscape.
Lopes has been painting figurative work for over twenty years starting at a time when it was decidedly unfashionable. He has been acknowledged by art critic John McDonald as ‘one of the most dedicated artists you’ll find anywhere’ and his outstanding works in his distinctive figurative style have captured the attention of art collectors and institutions alike.
He seeks to deal with the figure and the landscape together, depicting the relationship we have with our surrounds and does that in any way he can get the paint onto the surface, always looking for a way to push it further.
He has exhibited in 30 solo shows across Australia and in London and Hong Kong and his work has been hung in many more group shows. His work is held in the National Gallery of Australia, the Parliament House Collection and other public institutions and private collections.
Lopes is also known for his portraiture, recognised as a finalist in the Doug Moran Portrait Prize, Black Swan Prize the Percival Portrait Painting prize and has been selected in the Salon des Refusés exhibition several times.
To hear the podcast interview press ‘play’ under the feature photo above.
A short video of Lopes in his studio on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel can also be seen below.
Current and upcoming events
- Solo show ‘Impossible Find’ at Stella Downer Fine Art, Sydney, 10 July to 4 August 2018
- Salient Contemporary Artists on the Western front, a touring group exhibition showing at New England Regional Art Museum until 3 June 2018. Further touring dates TBA on exhibition website.
- Group show ‘Jamberoo Mountain Road’ at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery
- Solo show at Linton and Kay Galleries, Perth, date TBA
Show notes
- Steve Lopes
- Steve Lopes at Stella Downer Fine Art
- Steve Lopes at Linton and Kay Galleries
- Steve Lopes at Mitchell Fine Art Gallery
- Alan Oldfield
- Lucian Freud
- Piero della Francesca
- Henri Matisse
- Gallipoli Art Prize
- Excerpt from ‘Your Friend the Enemy’ documentary by Bruce Inglis
- Jan Senbergs
- Fred Williams
- Rover Thomas
- Jeffrey Smart
- Euan Macleod
- Frank Auerbach
- Chuck Close
- Paul Gauguin
- Paul Cezanne
- Marlene Dumas
- Duck Print Fine Art
‘Exposed Wood, Mont St Quentin’, 2018, oil on canvas, 140 x 180cm, winner of the Gallipoli Art Prize 2018, collection of the Gallipoli Club.
‘Warren Ellis’, 2018, oil on canvas, 180 x 130cm (finalist Percival Painting Prize 2018)
Portrait of Warren Ellis, 2017, etching, 70 x 50cm edition 20
‘Man with bird’, 2001, paper etching, 76.4 x 56.2cm, collection of the National Gallery of Australia
‘The Nek, Foxhole’, oil on canvas, 180 x 130cm
‘The Late Riser’, 2017, 120 x 130cm, oil on canvas
‘Votive Landscape and Figure’, 2017, oil on canvas, 100 x 100cm
Very enjoyable- Steve is very generous and communicates clearly.
Thanks for listening Marvene! 🙂
Hi Maria,
You always produce wonderful, fascinating podcasts.
I have listened to all the episodes many times over
and really look forward to each new one. Congratulations
and many thanks on letting us hear the voices of Australian Artists.
Thanks so much for that lovely comment Kerry. You’ve made my day! Maria 🙂
Amazing episode! So many great insights. Thank you.