Robert Preston (1984) Naxos Mirror. [Artwork]
Naxos Mirror by Robert Preston. © Robert Forrest Preston. Photograph by Michael Marzik.
Copyright protected. Not for download, reuse or distribution.
- Item Type
- Artwork
- Collection
- JCU Art Collection
- Item Code
- ACC 174
- Related Links
- Subjects
- art; mixed media; T150; Inner Visions
Artwork Details
Born 1942, United Kingdom
Title: Naxos MirrorDate: 1984
Medium: Casein emulsion and dry ground pigment, charcoal, pastel, conte, crayon and chalk on canvas on board
Dimensions: 153.9 x 120.9 cm
Credit Line:
Exhibited in DRAWINGS x 4 held at Perc Tucker Gallery in 1984 and travelled in 1985.
Exhibited in Celebrating Townsville exhibition held at Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts July-August 2016.
Exhibited in Robert Preston Inner Visions: Observation, Abstraction and Imagination, 1955-2021 held at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery June-August 2021.
Purchased in 1984 for the James Cook University Art Collection from the exhibition DRAWINGS x 4 held at Perc Tucker Gallery.
Summary
The image Naxos Mirror is derived from the decorated flat side of an ancient pottery artefact created in the shape of a frying pan. These artefacts, found in graves in the Cycladic islands off the coast of Greece, are around 5000 years old. They nearly all represent female figures with non-functioning legs for a handle. The artist studied these ceramics in the Museum of Archaeology in Athens.
The pictures which appeared on the Cycladic frying pan vessels were either engraved or stamped and in-filled with lime or a white substance. They depict stylised symbols for ocean waves, the sun, moon and stars, dolphins, boats and occasionally seabirds. Archaeologists are not sure of the real intent of these mysterious objects, however, they are thought to have had a magical purpose. Filled with water and placed in the grave, the reflections of the moon and stars would be brought into the grave to give light to the dead as they travelled into the after-life.
Additional Information
Collection access: Artworks from the JCU Art Collection are located in various public spaces across JCU's campuses in Townsville, Cairns, Mount Isa, Mackay, and Thursday Island. The collection offers students, visitors and staff the opportunity to enjoy, interact with and be stimulated by artworks which are integrated into their social and working environments. Enquiries about the art collection can be sent to artcollection@jcu.edu.au
Copyright Information
© Robert Forrest Preston