Julian Meagher · The Sky Still Breaks

'Floating In A Darkened Sky' by Julian Meagher, oil on linen, 120cm x 120cm.

'Bigger than the Mountains' by Julian Meagher, oil on linen, 66cm x 51cm.

'Straight into the Sun' self portrait by Julian Meagher, oil on linen, 66cm x 51cm.

You might recall we love the work of Sydney based painter Julian Meagher, and were thrilled to include his incredible work in our TDF Open House project in Melbourne and Sydney last year. Since we last saw Julian his profile has been well and truly on the rise - earlier this year he gained representation with the highly respected Olsen Irwin Gallery in Sydney, and he's also currently staging his first solo show in the USA!  The exhibition, entitled The Sky Still Breaks opened at Merry Karnowsky Gallery in Los Angeles last week, and will run until May 3rd 2014.  I have to say, I think this is Julian's most incredible body of work to date... those translucent glass bottles seem more photorealistic than ever before,  and his washed out portraits (including a self portrait if I'm not mistaken!?) are so striking. We asked Julian a few questions about this latest body of work, and his plans for another busy year ahead! -

Can you tell us a little bit about the influences behind this latest body of work?

This show was inspired by a chance meeting with a scuba diver, who was searching for old bottles in Sydney Harbour. Men who had been drinking by the foreshore years ago would sometimes throw them in to the water. Some of these bottles are very old and unique. Not only are they beautiful objects, with subtle shades of green, blue and pink and with interesting embossed text, I also was drawn to the symbolism of this cycle, as a lot of my work in centered around the strength and fragility of Australian men.

What are you currently looking forward to?

After this show in LA I am taking a week off to drive Big Sur up to San Francisco, something I have always wanted to do. Then it is back to the studio to start making work for Edwina Corlette Gallery with whom I am showing with at Melbourne Art Fair in August.

You've included two portraits of well known Australian actor John Waters in this exhibition, how did this come about?

Yes, this is the Australian actor and musician John Waters. He posed in my studio for this work. My girlfriend's Dad Stewart D'Arrietta and John Waters are currently touring their great show about John Lennon called 'Looking Through A Glass Onion' – don't miss if it comes to your town! I painted them both for this show. I needed some iconic Australian male faces for the show, and luckily they didn't mind wearing puffy shirts!

The Sky Still Breaks by Julian Meagher Open until 3 May Merry Karnowsky Gallery 170 S. La Brea Avenue Los Angeles, California Julian Meagher will be exhibiting new works at The Melbourne Art Fair in August with Edwina Corlette Gallery. Julian is represented by Edwina Corlette Gallery in Brisbane, Olsen Irwin Gallery in Sydney and Gallery Ecosse in the NSW Southern Highlands. 

'We Will Taste the Islands and the Sea' by Julian Meagher, oil on linen, 66cm x 51cm.

'The Clouds will Cloud' portrait of Australian actor and musician John Waters by Julian Meagher, oil on linen, 66cm x 51cm.