Abstract
‘Morning Mist’ by Queensland artist, Graham Radcliffe, soon to be placed in the entrance to the College headquarters in Melbourne
For some time, the College has been looking to purchase a suitable sculpture for the entry foyer of the La Trobe Street headquarters to complete the “presentation” envisaged by the architect. After much deliberation, the College has now taken possession of the sculpture, Morning Mist, by Queensland artist Graham Radcliffe.
The purchase of the sculpture was made possible thanks to the allocation of funds by the General Council and a generous joint donation by the retired Executive Officers, Dr Janice Wilson and A/Prof. Fiona Judd, together with the Honorary Treasurer, Dr Richard Astill.
Graham Radcliffe's work is both representational and lyrically abstract, frequently drawing inspiration from the female form. “I strive for simplicity of line and message,” he says. “I don't want to say ten words in my art when one will suffice”.
“Morning Mist” was carved in Italy from a piece of Turkish white marble between 1993 and 1994. The artist rarely talks about the genesis of his work but he made an exception given that this piece has found a home among those whose area of specialty is the mind. He describes the work in terms of the moment in which each individual encounters the creator. “Imagine that this final path is shrouded in mist and a great burning light is ahead that you are drawn toward. That is where you are about to face whatever you believe. The sculpture could be the vehicle in which you travelled, it could be yourself. I don't know which it is. In the end it doesn't matter. It is the end of your journey.”
Graham Radcliffe trained as a fitter and turner before embarking on his artistic career. He spent time in Papua New Guinea and Cape Tribulation before his first visit to the rich marble deposits of coastal Tuscany. He now lives and works between Pietrasanta, Italy, and Mt Glorious, Queensland, where he has established a sculpture garden and gallery.
One of his most significant works was the result of a commission from the Whitehorse City Council (Melbourne) to produce the sculpture “City of Whitehorse”, a 2.7 metre horse in white marble, which now stands outside the council chambers in Whitehorse Road, Nunawading. In addition to a number of exhibitions in Queensland, his work has also been exhibited in Munich, Köln, Stuttgart and Monaco.
According to the artist “sculpture is not a career which I would recommend to anyone, especially those who have a penchant for regular meals.
“I am very pleased that your College has bought the sculpture. It has found a good home. Nothing is by chance!”
Anyone interested in viewing more of Graham's work can visit his Web site at http://www.grahamradcliffe.com
Nota Bene
On 30 November 1999, the Executive Officers approved for publication and distribution a revision of the College Practice Guideline #6, Guidelines for the use of dexamphetamine and methylphenidate in adults. The revision was undertaken by the Committee on Psychotropic Drugs and Other Physical Treatments, chaired by Dr Jenny Bergen, and is being circulated with this issue of AP. Please disregard all previous versions of this statement.
All College statements can be found on the College website at http://www.ranzcp.org/publish.htm and are available on request from the Secretariat.