Howard Taylor is one of Western Australia’s most significant artists. When delving into his oeuvre, the focus is emphatically drawn to the artist’s intense preoccupation with process. Taylor’s Journal was acquired by AGWA in 2004 and provides intriguing insights into the artist’s material practice through entries from 1946 to 1991. Taylor’s journey as an artist is deeply rooted in experimentation, innovation and a relentless exploration of his chosen medium, as documented through the pages of his Journal.
At the heart of Taylor’s artistic journey lies his unwavering commitment to process. Each sketch, brushstroke, sculpted form and meticulously crafted surface is a testament to his detailed approach to making – all chronicled within his Journal. Taylor’s Journal serves as a repository of his explorations and discoveries, offering a glimpse into the inner workings of his creative mind.
Central to Taylor’s artistic vision was his profound engagement with materials. From traditional media like oil to less conventional techniques such as egg tempera, Taylor dedicatedly refined the endless potential of each material at his disposal. His Journal is a companion on this journey, capturing the challenges and resolutions of his artistic experimentation.
We invite you to slow-look and witness firsthand the evolution of Howard Taylor’s material practice through artworks from The State Art Collection and selected pages from his Journal. From his early experiments with tempera and form to his later innovations in manipulating light and space, each work of art is a window into the development of Taylor’s creative process, enriched by the insight gleaned from his Journal.
Image credits: Howard Taylor Farm landscape 1996. Oil on panel, 99.6 x 239.4 cm. The State Art Collection, The Art Gallery of Western Australia. Purchased through the Sir Claude Hotchin Art Foundation, The Art Gallery of Western Australia Foundation, 1996. Howard Taylor Double self-portrait 1959. Oil on composition board, 71.8 x 84 cm. The State Art Collection, The Art Gallery of Western Australia. Purchased 1985. Howard Taylor Forest land 1982. Oil and wax on plywood, 142.5 x 137 x 1.5 cm (framed). The State Art Collection, The Art Gallery of Western Australia. Purchased 1985.
