Fishing Couple – Artist’s Proof – 1984 – SOLD

Acclaimed for his depiction of tropical north Queensland and the islands of the Pacific, Ray Crooke is one of Australia’s most prestigious artists.

As well as completing many beautiful oil paintings during his successful career, Crooke also created a selection of limited edition prints.  The simplicity and pared back elegance of the colour tones in Crooke’s prints emphasise
his mastery of composition and his capacity for harmonious design. The shapes and shadows of the tropical foliage and the defining sections of black used in the scene  create wonderful contrast and patterning.

As in many of his works, Crooke celebrates the idyllic, lush scenery of the tropics and the relaxed pace of island life. Created in 1984, this piece depicts a couple returning to the village with their spear, fish, and basket after a successful fishing expedition.

It is common for artists to employ a specialist printmaker to ink and hand print their prints; and interestingly, this screenprint was printed by Ray Crooke’s son, David who was Crooke’s business manager for many years. The Cairns Gallery hold a number of Ray Crooke’s screenprints in their collection that Crooke donated in 1998, including a print from this edition.

Framed elegantly in a gold and black bamboo patterned frame,  this piece offers to an art collector an opportunity to acquire a large affordable work by one of Australia’s most prestigious artists. The advantage of this particular work is that it is an “Artist’s Proof” which is more prestigious to own than the other numbered works from the print’s limited edition.