A LIVING LEGEND
At nearly 102 years old, Max Angus is Australia's oldest exhibiting artist.
From a young age, Max says he always knew he was destined to be an artist. "My father was a house painter and decorator, he always brought home offcuts of wallpaper and my brother and I started drawing on them."
Max resides in Hobart, Tasmania, where he is a master of watercolour, and captures the rugged beauty of the Tasmanian landscape and wilderness. He has also favoured native birds, and bushfires, but probably his biggest inspiration has come from Lake Pedder (see pictures 3 and 4 of exhibition collection below), of where he travelled on many occasions, and passionately advocated for its saving from damming for the hydro electricity scheme back in the late 1960's/early 1970's.
With an amazing career spanning 70 years since his first exhibition, Max has tried his hand at many forms of art, produced thousands of paintings, a collection of books, and held many sold-out exhibitions.
He continues to venture out into his cherished Tasmanian environment to take advantage of the light and landscapes that inspire his watercolour works. He has enjoyed doing this on a regular basis throughout his life, and will brave the elements to gain the benefit of a more realistic portrayal of his subject.
"Watercolour is capable of expressing the most formidable landscape that you can find, yet it is also capable of expressing the delicacy that lies in the atmosphere"
Max also happens to be my Great Uncle, and is one of the most fascinating, interesting and inquisitive men you will ever meet. He has won the hearts of many Tasmanians - not just for his artistic contributions - but his intelligence, eloquence, passion for the environment, and amazing storytelling abilities.
Even today he still has a great passion and optimistic outlook on life, which along with clean Tasmanian air, a healthy diet (moderation in all things, maybe except painting!), a supportive family, some good genes (his mother lived to 97 years old), and doing what he loves each day has led to a very fulfilling, productive and successful life.
His beloved wife Thedda is also turning 100 years old in January 2017, and the pair have been married for 76 years.
To mark his 100th birthday celebrations in 2014, he held an exhibition (sold out) at the Colville Gallery in Hobart titled 100 Years - an exhibition of old and new work.
He also held another exhibition late last year, Max Angus 101 Birthday Exhibition, showcasing 27 of his landscape paintings created in the 12 months since 100 years.
The following paintings are some of my favourites from that most recent exhibition:
Mountain Waterfall 2015 Spring Morning Lake Dobson 2015
Morning Lake Pedder 2015 Morning Shower Lake Pedder 2015
View to Cape Bernier East Coast Tasmania 2015
Foreshore Bay of Fires 2015
Yacht passing the Iron Pot, River Derwent 2015
Sheds, Battery Point 2015
Yachts racing on the Derwent 2015
At Lake Dobson National Park 2015
Max has won several awards for his contribution to the art world, including being made a member of the Order of Australia in 1978. He has also won several art awards, including being an Archibald finalist in 1974.
He continues to be an inspiration not just to me and my extended family, but he is also firmly held as a treasured Tasmanian in the eyes of many.
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