"The New York School of artists from the 1940s and 1950s resurface their dramatic impact on the art world through Nicholas Daunt."

"The freedom of abstract expressionism pioneered by the likes of De Kooning, Franz Kline, Pollock and Hans Hoffman, to name a few, comes alive in this established Australian artist."

"Daunt relishes in the freedom of expression and lets his work flow and progress through a subconscious channelling that allows his work to carry itself."

"Daunt's work beholds a loose landscape quality which brings with it a familiarity to the mysterious and enigmatic world of the abstract."

"Within the artists work, the rich cascading colours of the natural world bloom on the canvas as too do the stark images of industrialism."

"Daunt feels strongly about his love for the natural environment and in contrast the seemingly relentless attitude we have of trying to destroy it." - Top

Nicholas Daunt

Born in England of Irish parents, Mr Daunt attended London's Eastbrook Boys School on an art scholarship.

In 1960 he moved to Australia where he worked as a graphic artist and designer in fabric.

He holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts degree and a post-graduate diploma in professional studies in painting from The City Arts Institute of Sydney.

Artist's Comments

"To a degree most contemporary painting interests me. However, I find myself drawn to the New York School of American painters from 1940 to 1950, particularly the work of Franz Kline, De Kooning, Hans Hoffman and Pollock. I like the execution of free style and above all the philosophy of this school, which is based on freedom of expression."

"My own work has a strong landscape quality. It seems to search for a perfect place, maybe coming from endless seeking within myself, always looking for the perfect colour combination to enhance my work. It also takes on an energy that scars the landscape in a frenzied innocence, almost naive, like man's seemingly relentless way of destroying the environment." - Top

Press Commentary

"It has, of course, occurred before that in recessions artistic talents have flourished: The still deeply influential New York School grew out of the Depression and World War II. At the Holdsworth Galleries it reverberates in the 15 red-hot or moss-green land- and sea-scapes by Nicholas Daunt, who will free beauty in the dingy industrial landscape."

"Nolde would have condoned Daunt's jarring of some wide, almost tranquil skies with sudden explosions of colour. Sometimes a long banner of drifting cloud or a celestial rift will stress the rhythmical continuity."

Elwyn Flynn
Australian National News
May 30, 1992 - Top

Commissioned Works

1. Merck and Company, Australian Division, Granville, Sydney
   Two works 12 feet by 15 feet, office foyers, June 1993
   See Nicholas preparing these paintings in his studio
   
2. Art Incorporate, Surry Hills, Sydney
3. Sandoz Corporate Centre, Airport Park Royal, Sydney
4. Employers Federation of Sydney
5. Meridian Capital International, Sydney
6. Toukley Beachcomber, Toukley
7. Winterthur Insurance, Sydney
8. Honda Showrooms, Bondi Junction, Sydney