2020’s
Kevin continued to produce work right up until the end of his life in 2023, despite facing numerous health difficulties. His unwavering determination and boundless passion drove him to embark on creating several significant artworks, even as his aging body presented challenges along the way.
Kevin Mortensen's art beautifully embodies the delicate balance of nature. Unbounded by the constraints of ego consciousness, his art effortlessly expresses itself before us. As observers, we are presented with the choice of simply watching or delving into interpretation. Drawn to the intricate shapes and patterns found in the natural realm, his work offers us not just a mere depiction but a profound reflection of this enduring fascination.
Charcoal and Pastel
‘Moonlight’ Charcoal 63 by 48cm, 2023
‘Black Swan’ Charcoal and Pastel 50 by 70cm, 1992 SOLD
‘Jutland’ Charcoal 47 by 62cm, 2023
‘Chook’ Charcoal 63 by 48cm, 2023
‘‘Icon’ Charcoal and Pastel 63 by 48cm, 2023
‘White Swan’ Charcoal and Pastel 50 by 70cm, 2021
‘Celestial’ Pastel 50 by 65cm, 2022
Birdman Constellation is a profound representation of the spiritual essence prominent in Kevin Mortensen's artistry. Exhibiting two figures resembling birdmen, one striking a classical Egyptian stance and the other embodying Mortensen's distinctive posture from his renowned showing at the Venice Biennial 1977, this piece captures a transcendent moment in the night sky, evoking a sense of divine presence akin to celestial deities.
In discussing performance art, it is essential to recognize the range of methods that artists have delved into within this realm. Sculptural installations within performance art, especially ones centering on Australian themes, have been a notable focus. Kevin Mortensen, a respected figure in this arena, frequently depicts settings in the Australian outback, drawing from the area's cultural legacy and breathtaking scenery. These representations not only exhibit a profound link to the land but also delve into the concept of white 'primitivism,' injecting further intricacies into the artistic discourse of this sphere.
Oil On Linen
‘Seascape III’ Oil on Linen 69 by 100cm, 2022
'Early Birds' Oil on Linen 82cm 102cm 2022
‘Seascape IV’ Oil on Linen 69 by 92cm, 2021
‘Death for some, food for others’ Oil on Linen 93 by 130cm, 2020
‘Fans in a stream’ Oil on Linen 78 by 85cm, 2022
‘Moon in a crater lake’ Oil on Linen 160 by 102cm, 2021
“We hit a snag now, Deborah. I have trouble calling myself an artist, for several reasons. The first one would be that from my time in Venice I learnt that Leonardo [Da Vinci] was renowned for his attitude. On his death bed he said, ‘What a pity I am dying today because I felt sure that tomorrow I would be an artist’. That imprinted in my psyche..”
Extract from an interview with Deborah Edwards, 2017.
“It (Buddhism and Eastern religions) highlighted an interest in a deeper reality of things, more than just a surface understanding of the physical nature of something, its height, width and depth. It’s the spirit of things. The spiritual value of various materials came into my consciousness then. The difference between wood and plastic – there’s a big one. The difference between using natural materials or using fiberglass in making sculpture.”
Extract from an interview with Deborah Edwards, 2017.
‘Birds in the Landscape’ Oil on Linen 62 by 87cm, 2020
‘Tropical Change’ Oil on Linen 82 by 102cm, 2022
‘The Blow’ Oil on Linen 82 by 102cm, 2020
‘Lightening Strike’ Oil on Linen 62 by 87cm, 2020
Watercolor, Ink and Pastel
The intricate blending of watercolors and pastels has been a defining trait in Mortensen's artistic portfolio, highlighting a remarkable fusion of creativity and emotional intensity evident throughout his body of work.
‘Cave Mouth’ Ink and Pastel 68 by 48cm, 2023
‘Lion Fight’ Ink 48 by 67cm, 2020
‘The state of life post climate change’ Graphite 47 by 68cm, 1990
‘Be careful what you wish for’ Pencil 88 by 68cm, 2020
‘Night Bluff’ Watercolor and Pastel 28 by 40cm, 2022