After Cezanne, painted in 2009, is part of the artist’s Grey Paintings Series. It is O’Sullivan’s homage to the great Paul Cezanne who’s post-impressionist work returned still life painting to its high place in art and ushered in new modes of expression like cubism. The work depicts the artist studio after dark, illuminated by moonlight. The haunting lifeless subject contrasts with the improvised coke can brush holder in the corner. The wet paint has been inscribed with the words ‘easy does it’.
About the Grey Painting collection:
Primarily painted in the summer between 2008-2009. The series consists of un-exhibited work in the artist’s private collection which explore O’Sullivan’s experience with debilitating, clinical melancholia. The Grey series consists of acrylic paintings made using a wet in wet technique that requires immediate execution of the painting in a race against the clock to beat Sydney, Australia’s sweltering summer temperatures