Four Decades, Five Hundred Prints by John Nixon

THE late John Nixon’s (1949–2020) notable prints are now on show at the Geelong Gallery.

The “John Nixon—Four Decades, Five Hundred Prints,” exhibition, which opened Saturday, exclusively presents Nixon’s extensive body of abstract prints offering a unique glimpse into the evolution of his printmaking practice over four decades.

Known for his abstract paintings, Nixon’s venture into printmaking has been a relatively unexplored facet of his illustrious career.

Geelong Gallery CEO Jason Smith said it was important to present Nixon’s entire printed works.

“The opportunity to present the entire printed oeuvre of John Nixon is art-historically important, not only for our understanding of this vital aspect of John’s practice but in the exhibition history of Geelong Gallery.

“Geelong Gallery is delighted to be working towards the presentation of this major survey in collaboration with our external curatorial team comprising Nixon’s wife Sue Cramer, his daughter Emma Nixon, and print publisher Trent Walter who worked closely with Nixon.”

The survey, drawn from the artist’s estate, unveils Nixon’s inventive use of various printmaking techniques, ranging from simple woodcuts to complex screenprints, stone lithographs, and etchings.

Nixon’s experimental spirit is evident in his prints, where he pushes the boundaries by incorporating collage into his work and printing onto unconventional surfaces such as paper bags and newspapers.

Nixon’s global artistic influence began with his first exhibition at the Melbourne avant-garde gallery Pinacotheca in 1973, marking the start of a prolific career.

His contributions were recognised in 1996 when he received the Geelong Contemporary Art Prize for his painting “Black + Orange Cross 1995.”

The exhibition runs until March 11, 2024