Published

Introduced by Dr Gerard Vaughan AM, previously Director of the National Gallery of Victoria and the National Gallery of Australia; and with opening chapters by Deirdre Cannon of the National Gallery of Australia, the book traces Di Bresciani’s career as an artist with special reference to recent work. In addition, the artist herself has contributed five chapters explaining how light features in Australia’s history of art and the broader historical and cultural context. Further texts have been provided by Piers Lane AO, Pam Kershaw and Merron Jean Kirby OAM; and representatives of the Royal Over-Seas League in Australia and Over-Seas, and University College, the University of Melbourne.

a new look at australian light

Musician and visual artist Di Bresciani’s first book explored the synchronicities of colour and sound as they were referenced in her paintings at that time. Di Bresciani: A New Look at Australian Light concentrates on light and its importance to so many aspects of human sensory perception. Bresciani’s recent paintings, with their colours and compositional rhythms, are based on the perceptions of Australian light as the artist has experienced it.

“The emotional power of colour and light has been a hallmark of Di’s style – these works are lyrical-inspired by her experience of the landscape of the Mallee.”

Dr Gerard Vaughan

“Di’s works invite viewers to move beyond the physical realm and acknowledge the deep and lasting effects of our connections with time and place.”

Deirdre Cannon

“To achieve the effect of luminance I don’t paint what I think I see; I aim to paint the experience we have when we see light”

Dr Di Bresciani OAM

“Di immerses us within her colour and light, expressing her full powers as an artist… [with] memories of shimmering light between clumps of Australian native trees.”

Dr Julie Cotter

“A view of Australian light that is subtle and changing, a light that transforms colours and landscape in delicate, fleeting and subtle ways. It contrasts totally with the harshness of bright sunlight at other times of day. The light around dawn and sunset is endlessly nuanced and changing. These moments often have a transcendent quality to them. As the light changes, our perceptions and emotions respond differently. This is where my art lives.”

Dr Di Bresciani OAM