George Baldessin was a handsome, charismatic figure; he died in a tragic car accident in 1978, at the age of 39. Despite his incredibly short life, he left a huge body of work which continues to impress and astonish with its contemporary feel. 

The exhibition includes a selection of prints and drawings and was curated by Tess Edwards Baldessin, the artist’s widow and is toured by Maitland Regional Art Gallery.

The works in the exhibition show the development of Baldessin’s various themes as well as his very individual style. From his first small etchings of circus performers and Felliniesque characters, his work developed in scope and scale, passing through various series. 

The female form is a recurring motif throughout his work. These ever-present female figures are often drawn with spiky hair and are seemingly dismembered and reassembled, distorted and weightless. 

Many scenes are viewed through a window frame, with the window sometimes curtained or horizontally segmented by a blind. Blinds have the ability to both hide and reveal subjects depending on whether the blinds are turned, opened or closed. The inclusion of curtains and blinds are sometimes used to partially obscure an object while at other times they serve to focus attention on particular items. 

Baldessin used stripes to manipulate and alter reality. He imposed stripes on the human figure by segmenting the body into horizontal bands. His performers were dressed in striped costumes, windows were bordered by striped curtain fabric and the blades of venetian blinds fragmented and delineated views from windows.

A large, often empty, rectangular table became a recurring motif. A set table, devoid of decoration, was laid with, and accompanied by, precisely placed prerequisites for a banquet -the chair (mostly empty), a pear (representing food) and a head (representing dinner guests).

 Baldessin combines and re-combines different elements to make new narratives and conceptual meaning.  The pear becomes the woman, the hat the emblem, and the emblem the woman again. This creative “play” is indicative of Baldessin’s huge talent and confidence beyond his artistic years. His relentless pace to progress meant that he left a mature body of work worthy of a significantly older artist.

Baldessin was a master on tone and rarely used colour. His artworks are predominantly tonal studies and his great technical skill of using aquatint during the etching process was a perfect vehicle to demonstrate the great beauty and power of tone.

 Baldessin’s work  is represented in all major art galleries and collections around Australia, as well as the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim Museum in New York, and the British Museum in London.  

Tess Edwards Baldessin will give a floor talk at the gallery, on Wednesday May 13 from 6 - 7.30pm. Refreshments will be served at this free event. eryone is most welcome.