Cow Times

Angus Cow (2001) Synthetic polymer paint on composition board. Collection of the artist.

Golem On Excursion at the National Gallery of Victoria Ivan Durrant: Barrier Draw

For all ye’ faint of heart, those be the vegetarian and vegans, proceed with caution to the NGV this season. The National Gallery of Victoria is showcasing Ivan Durrant’s body of work in Ivan Durrant: Barrier Draw. The exhibition displays Durrant’s dabbling in various mediums of sculptures, paintings, and video. He has a ‘supraphotolism’ style that is sure to shock.

Supraphotolism. Noun. Work that goes ‘above and beyond’ photorealism.

This is a full circle event. In 1975, Durrant sacrificed a cow to the NGV. The Slaughtered Cow ‘happening’ is a better gift than cheap socks, especially since the cow was freshly slaughtered. Shortly after this, Durrant staged another ‘happening’ in Sydney when he displayed Severed Hand Happening at Hogarth Galleries, which allegedly contained a human limb in a box. More and more dead flesh. Could be it’s just a spot-on prosthetic. Afterall, Durrant did have a stint working in a prosthetics lab in Melbourne.

23 November 2020 – 25 April 2021 Free Entry NGV Australia, Federation Square Level 3

A selection from Durrant’s work appears below.

The apple (1970). Ivan Durrant. Synthetic polymer paint on composition board. 90.0 x 75.0 cm. Collection of the artist. © Ivan Durrant

Drive out (1971). Ivan Durrant. Synthetic polymer paint on composition board. 76.0 x 92.0 cm. Collection of the artist. © Ivan Durrant

Full pen (2003). Ivan Durrant. Synthetic polymer paint on composition board. 91.5 x 120.3 cm. Collection of the artist. © Ivan Durrant

Power and passion (2010). Ivan Durrant. Synthetic polymer paint on composition board. 99.1 x 147.1 cm. Collection of the artist. © Ivan Durrant