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Lot Essay
The early 1960s marked the start of a golden period for Whiteley both personally and professionally. He moved to London with Wendy Julius in the late 1960s and promptly received support and professional encouragement from Bryan Robertson, the director of the influential Whitechapel Gallery, as well as from the group of ex-patriate Australian artists including Charles Blackman, Sidney Nolan and Michael Johnson who were also living in London at this time.In 1961 the Tate Gallery purchased 'Red Painting', making Whiteley the youngest contemporary artist to be represented in this prestigious collection.
In March 1962 Whiteley married his long-term partner Wendy. The works that eventuated from their honeymoon in the idyllic surrounds of a small town called Sigean, near the Spanish border of France, were harmonic blends of abstracted landscape and an underlying figuration; realised in the warm soil-rich tones of earth and leavened with dominant notes of creamy flesh.
In March 1962 Whiteley married his long-term partner Wendy. The works that eventuated from their honeymoon in the idyllic surrounds of a small town called Sigean, near the Spanish border of France, were harmonic blends of abstracted landscape and an underlying figuration; realised in the warm soil-rich tones of earth and leavened with dominant notes of creamy flesh.