The Card Players, Northern Territory – SOLD
Detail photos for this Artwork
Many prestigious artists have depicted Australia’s landscape and people, but there is a rawness and authenticity to Sawrey’s portrayals that stems directly from his first-hand experience of living the life of most of the subjects and places that he painted.
An endearing aspect of Sawrey’s work that emerged even in his early oils, was that he captured the day-to-day nuts and bolts of living in a rural community, often with humorous honesty. There is an Australian spirit in much of his work.
In this strikingly colourful oil that dates from the earlier part of Sawrey’s career he portrays a nostalgic, character-filled scene of ringers and stock boys on a station in the Northern Territory relaxing and playing cards, a favourite pastime during smoko or at the end of a long day. Shanties and cottages, the rich colour of the earth, and the wives, pickaninnies, station dog, and horses in the yards captures the story of where and how they lived.
