Thursday Art Day – Big brave hearts – Black Caviar and Phar Lap …
Black Caviar and Phar Lap
One of the things I love doing during the colder months is to visit the local antiques shops. There is nothing nicer than to pull on your coat, gloves and maybe a hat then head off on the Antiques trail. While doing this some weeks ago I picked up a copy of the Antiques and Art in Queensland magazine. As I opened the first page there on the inside front cover was the most wonderful painting titled Black Caviar and Phar Lap by the master painter Peter J Hill. With the kind permission of Peter and Judy Hill it’s a pleasure to share Peter’s portrait of these beloved horses and some background information about the extraordinary talent of Peter J Hill.
Peter was born in 1937 and is a self taught artist. He began painting as a hobby when he was 19 years old, turning professional in the 1970’s. His now hangs in corporate boardrooms, hotels, clubs, and naturally in private collections in Australia and around the world. I read that nearly every continent can claim to have at least one of his oil paintings on its walls. Peter lived in Melbourne in the 1970’s, later he moved to Canberra and these days you can find Peter and Judy’s “P.J.” Art Gallery at Eagle Heights, Queensland.
P.J. Art Gallery and the extension gallery called The Stable looks exactly as it sounds, hay bales, whips, lanterns, and horse memorabilia decorate the walls alongside Peters highly renowned Equine works. There may be no live animals but the horses feature, some are are galloping while others wait patiently to get back to work as they gaze at you from their dwellings on canvas daring you to take them home.
In The Stable at present you can find a P.J. Hill first – the painting dedicated to Black Caviar and Phar Lap. There has been much made in the media about who is the greatest of the two? I think most Australian’s would agree that both are GREAT. How do you compare greatness considering the many decades separating their lifetimes and the circumstances of life during 1926 -1932 and 2012. In my opinion it is exactly this questioning that makes this painting GREAT. Peter has executed the painting in a way that has the two as appearing as co-conspirators or companions working together for a greater cause. That cause would have to be bringing Australian’s together in a united admiration for big brave hearts.
If you’re in Queensland you should take some time and visit “P.J. Art Gallery owned and operated by internationally known artist Peter J Hill and his wife and Gallery Director Judy.
The Gallery can be found at:
136 Long Road ‘Gallery Walk’ Eagle Heights Queensland 4272
Phone: 07 5545 0089 Mobile: 0428 259 014
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