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  • Brett Whiteley

  • Art, Life and the Other Thing
  • By: Ashleigh Wilson
  • Narrated by: Mark Seymour
  • Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (25 ratings)

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Brett Whiteley

By: Ashleigh Wilson
Narrated by: Mark Seymour
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Publisher's Summary

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 - and 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, this dazzling biography reveals for the first time the full portrait of a mercurial artist.

©2016 Ashleigh Wilson (P)2016 Audible, Ltd
Art Biographies & Memoirs
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Art lovers must read!

Brutally honest depiction of the unstable life as an artist. Intimate insights into the Australian and international art worlds - perfect to listen to and be inspired by whilst working in my own studio.

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Important piece of work

More work should be created, talking and discussing Australian Culture. While this was a great read, there was little to no scrutiny of Brett’s interest in Asian and Indigenous art, which I think should be included in a contemporary art history bio.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.