Almanac Art: Citrus Bob Utber’s The Art of Footy Exhibition in Mildura

Citrus Bob Utber has put together a superb exhibition of footy art. He started with some of the artists who have been significant contributors to the Almanac community and expanded from there. Here is the catalogue for The Art of Football which runs from  Aug 31 to Sep 19 at The Art Vault in Mildura.

 

 

The Art of Football

Catalogue

 

 

Introduction:

 

Football has been part of Australian life for generations.

 

It’s been part of Harms family life for as long as I can remember. In fact, I can’t remember life without football. So many of my family memories are connected with footy – local footy and VFL and AFL footy.

 

I am definitely not alone. That so many of us retain our passion for the game and the culture that surrounds the game suggests to me that footy is meaningful – for so many reasons. We find meaning in its elements: the way the game is played, the common purpose of the team, the contest, the mystery of form, the aesthetic of movement, the art of performance, victory and defeat, the sense of place, the responsibility of representing your community, the colour of the jumper, the player, the champion, the coach, victory and triumph, the fanaticism and loyalty of the supporter, the frustration of limitation, the pain of injury, the agony of loss, and so much more.

 

It is no surprise, then, that serious artists are drawn to footy as a subject – and offer so much in their diverse representation of the game.

 

I am delighted to offer this introduction to Citrus Bob Utber’s ‘The Art of Football’ exhibition. I picked Citrus Bob (named for wearing lemon slacks with orange) as an enthusiast from the start. A much-loved contributor to the Almanac, he is a man of tremendous energy, and will pop up at the sporting venues of the nation (and the world), pen in hand, ready to tap out a story. It’s always a joy to bump into him. He’s also a Geelong supporter.

 

He has brought together an eclectic group of artists from across Australia. Their works offer much insight into the game. Their talent is obvious; their passion prevails.

 

Well done Citrus and all the very best with the exhibition.

 

Carn the Cats,

 

John Harms

 

John Harms is a writer and historian. His book Loose Men Everywhere is the account of his fascination with footy. His website www.footyalmanac.com.au provides a platform for alternative (and maverick) sports writers. He also loves footy art. Each year he selects a piece of footy art to be the cover of The Footy Almanac, an annual account of each AFL season since 2007. Those art works are on display at the exhibition.

 

Ps. Citrus Bob has a grandson who plays with Geelong and wears no 35!

 

 

1. Naomi Le Get        Adam Goodes                            screenprint A/P             $500
2. Naomi Le Get     The Bob Murphy Print              screenprint A/P                                                   $500

 

3. Naomi Le Get Cyril                                           screenprint A/P             $500

 

4. Nick Howson     Buddy                                        digital print                   $350

 

5. Susan Sutton    Spangher                                   digital print                   $350

 

6. Martin Tighe      Chappy                                      digital print                   $350

 

7. Geoff Dyer       Brownie                                     digital print                   $350

 

8. Jim Pavlidis     Richo                                          digital print                   $350

 

9. Kate Birrell      Hodgie                                       digital print                   $350

 

10. Trent Chaplin    The set shot                              oil on board                  $500

 

11. Trent Chaplin    Full forward, full back              oil on canvas                $600

 

12. Trent Chaplin    After the siren                           oil on board                                                        $500

 

13. Jim Pavlidis     Final Siren                                 etching                         $850

 

14. Jim Pavlidis    1977                                          etching                         $750

 

15. Megan Roodenrys Tyson at Henley                        oil on linen                   $5000

 

16. Ken Martin           The Roo                                                                         NFS

(Bronze Marquette of the proposed statue for Waikerie)

 

17. Martin Tighe Nicky Winmar                           mixed media                 NFS

 

18. Kate Birrell Dusty                                         gouache on paper         $175

 

19. Kate Birrell Danger                                       gouache on paper         $175

 

20. Paul Harvey Hird                                            oil on canvas                $5500

 

21. Paul Harvey The Greatest                             oil on canvas                $5500

 

22. Jim Pavlidis            Push Me, Pull Me                       lithograph                     $850

 

23. Susan Sutton Four of the Best                        oil on canvas                                                      $1200

 

24. Rupert Batheras    Window to the Risen                mixed media                 $3200

 

25. Rupert Batheras    After Collingwood                                                         NFS    on loan from Colin Carter President (GFC)

 

26. Rupert Batheras Rebirth                                      mixed media                 $2500

 

27. Marg Whyte Wentworth Kangaroos             mixed media                 $450

 

28. Steve Hederics Memories                                   pastel on cardboard       NFS

 

29. Yvette Wroby Lenny                                         pastel on paper             $600

 

30. Paul Harvey The Thinker                               gouache on paper         $3000

 

31. Paul Harvey The Creation                              oil on board                                                        $5500

 

32. Yvette Wroby Buddy                                        pastel on paper             $600

 

33. Jim Pavlidis            Where the Ball Ain’t                 lithograph                     $850

 

34. John Spooner Goodsie                                      digital print                   $350

 

35. Jim Pavlidis Ablett Jnr                                  digital print                   $350

 

36. Vincent Namatjira Iwatja tigers 2015                   etching, aquatint          NFS

 

37. Martin Tighe Robert Harvey                           oil on board                  NFS

 

38. Martin Tighe The Meeting                              oil on board                  NFS

 

39. Susan Sutton Country Footy Training            oil on canvas                $2500

 

40. Kate Birrell ‘Pub scene after Richmond      oil on canvas                $725                                      beat the Swans  2014’

 

41. Susan Sutton The Huddle                                oil on canvas                $850

 

42. Susan Sutton Celebration                                oil on canvas                $850

 

43. Susan Sutton Blue & White Fever                   oil on canvas                $3600

 

44. Susan Sutton After The game                         oil on canvas                $3600

 

45. Kate Birrell Superboot at the Junction       oil on canvas                $725

 

46. Kate Birrell Verdun at the Juction Oval      oil on cotton duct         $725

 

47. Kate Birrell Bustling Billy at Punt Road      oil on canvas                $725

 

48. Anne McMaster       In the Shadows of Lexington  watercolour, pencil        $1200

Series No. VIII

 

49. Anne McMaster       In the Shadows of Lexington watercolour, pencil        $1200

Series No. III

 

50. Anne McMaster       In the Shadows of Lexington watercolour, pencil        $1200

Series No. V

 

51. Barbara Davidson   Grandstand                               etching, collograph       $620

 

 

52. Barbara Davidson   The Thrill of a Win 3                 etching, collograph       $620

 

53. Mike Hugo Alberton                                    digital print                   $40

 

54. 54. Mike Hugo Glenferrie                                  digital print                   $40

 

55. Mike Hugo Footscray                                   digital print                   $40

 

56. Clinton Up There Cazaly                        oil on canvas                NFS

 

57. Susan Sutton Out came the Sherrin               art print on canvas       $560 UF

$860 F

 

58. Jim Pavlidis Tired & Emotional                     etching                         NFS

 

59. Demonstration Sport Jumper worn by the team for the 1956 Olympics NFS

 

60. Mike Hugo Flight to Glory                           art print                        NFS

 

61. Tim Baulderstone Backyard Dream Machine II                                       $850                                      limestone , ochre and words

 

Sincere thanks to the following sponsors:

 

• Chan & Naylor
• JAAG Constructions
• Tasco Petroleum
• The Footy Almanac
• Mildura Solar
• Prime 7
• Sunraysia Curtains
• Maloney Anderson Legal
• Elders Insurance
• Peter Crisp, MLA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Some people think football is a matter of life and death, I can tell you, it’s much more serious than that.”

 

 

 

 

 

Intro

 

Football has been part of Australian life for generations.

It’s been part of Harms family life for as long as I can remember. In fact, I can’t remember life without football. So many of my family memories are connected with footy – local footy and VFL and AFL footy.

I am definitely not alone. That so many of us retain our passion for the game and the culture that surrounds the game suggests to me that footy is meaningful – for so many reasons. We find meaning in its elements: the way the game is played, the common purpose of the team, the contest, the mystery of form, the aesthetic of movement, the art of performance, victory and defeat, the sense of place, the responsibility of representing your community, the colour of the jumper, the player, the champion, the coach, victory and triumph, the fanaticism and loyalty of the supporter, the frustration of limitation, the pain of injury, the agony of loss, and so much more.

It is no surprise, then, that serious artists are drawn to footy as a subject – and offer so much in their diverse representation of the game.

I am delighted to offer this introduction to Citrus Bob Utber’s ‘The Art of Football’ exhibition. I picked Citrus Bob (named for wearing lemon slacks with orange) as an enthusiast from the start. A much-loved contributor to the Almanac, he is a man of tremendous energy, and will pop up at the sporting venues of the nation (and the world), pen in hand, ready to tap out a story. It’s always a joy to bump into him. He’s also a Geelong supporter.

He has brought together an eclectic group of artists from across Australia. Their works offer much insight into the game. Their talent is obvious; their passion prevails.

Well done Citrus and all the very best with the exhibition.

Carn the Cats

John Harms

 

John Harms is a writer and historian. His book Loose Men Everywhere is the account of his fascination with footy. His website www.footyalmanac.com.au provides a platform for alternative (and maverick) sports writers. He also loves footy art. Each year he selects a piece of footy art to be the cover of The Footy Almanac, an annual account of each AFL season since 2007. Those art works are on display at the exhibition.