In conversation – Larter, Larter and Maloney

Richard Larter: Free Radical and Riffing On: Pat Larter’s Rhythms and Pete Maloney’s Blues displays the art of three local legends in concert. The duet of exhibitions, curated by Drill Hall Gallery director Tony Oates, shines a light on the ‘radicalism and freedom that Richard, Pete and Pat have helped to instil in the culture of the visual arts in Canberra.’  In the meeting point between these two exhibitions a rich world of ideas is unearthed, drawing connections between the radical left-wing liberation movement of the 1960s and 70s and gay rights activities of the late ‘80s and 1990s. Join Oates, independent curator, art historian and author Deborah Clark, and art historian and writer Hetty Gascoigne as they tease out the possibilities at play between Larter, Larter and Maloney.

Deborah Clark is an independent art historian who has worked as a curator, editor, writer and teacher, and has been an active member of the Canberra arts community for 30 years. She was a long-term friend of the Larters and contributed a catalogue essay for the 2008 NGA exhibition Richard Larter, A Retrospective.

Hetty Gascoigne’s thesis Talking into Foreignness examines the impact of a sustained communication between three artist couples including Pat and Richard Larter. She has written for numerous arts publications, taught art history at Sydney University, and worked as curatorial researcher at Art Gallery of New South Wales. Most recently she has found a place to write and research among the team at Drill Hall Gallery.

Tony Oates is Director of the ANU Drill Hall Gallery, where he was also  Exhibitions Curator for many years. He has a reputation for curating and co-curating energetic thematic exhibitions.

Image: Richard Larter, ‘Looking Through’, 1961, alkyd paint on composition board, 52.5 x 45.6 cm. Courtesy the Estate of the Artist and
Utopia Art Sydney © The Estate of Richard Larter