Many moons ago, in the heat of the swinging 60s, South Hill Goulburn’s LINDA GUMBERT posed for highly celebrated pop artist Martin Sharp. Years later when drafting plans for a gallery-museum at South Hill the relationship began again, with Martin signing on as Patron. On Sunday night, the prodigious cultural icon passed away from emphysema. Mrs Gumbert reflects upon his influence and philosophies:
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GOULBURN’S South Hill Gallery and the international art world mourn the loss of Martin Sharp, who died in at his home in Sydney on Sunday night from emphysema.
The iconic artist and cartoonist, originally famous (with Richard Neville, Richard Walsh and Garry Shead) for the satirical and irreverent OZ magazine in the 1960s, made international headlines after moving to London where he recreated Oz Magazine and was part of the radical swinging set which included Germaine Greer and Eric Clapton.
Returning to Australia in the early 1970s with an unbounded attitude to art, he established the Yellow House in Potts Point, an artist studio, commune and 24 hour art drop in center; which attracted many of today’s now famous artists.
Martin effortlessly moved between art styles but was essentially a psychedelic pop artist, using paint to create brilliant images which were easily accessible to artists and the general populace.
He designed album covers for Cream’s “Disraeli Gears” and “Wheels of Fire”, winning him the NY Art Director’s Prize for the Best Album Cover. He went on to design the 1970s face of Luna Park.
With at least the talent and style of Andy Warhol he could have been as famous but lacked the interest in self promotion and commercialism.
Instead, he retreated to work in relative isolation in his home/studio where he was constantly visited by artist friends from around the world.
“He doesn’t venture from his place much,’’ said his friend Garry Shead.
“Life comes to him. He has charisma that draws people to him.” Art critic John McDonald observed that for Sharp the past remains permanently alive, as Martin reflected “All my life is here in this room, in my grandfather’s house”.
Fiercely loyal to his friend and the arts he agreed in 2010 to become patron of South Hill Gallery, once he was satisfied with its integrity.
During one of his visits to South Hill he declared it to be the new Yellow House and indeed several of the original Yellow House artists such as Jon Lewis, Jim Anderson, William Yang and Philippe Mora drop in and exhibit regularly.
South Hill Gallery holds a large collection of Martin’s works and memorabilia, with much on permanent display.
Presently on loan from Martin his final masterpiece, 40 years in the painting and completed only weeks before his death, “Gracelands”, will remain in the Gallery until the end of the year.
In his last days, Martin was in the process of compiling images for inclusion in Philippe Mora’s upcoming show “New Really Good Taste Art” which opens at South Hill on Saturday at 3pm.
Martin was, as well, a pop philosopher.
He lived for the day taking little interest in the practicalities of life. His incisive wit never left him.
Just prior to his death, when asked how he would handle dying, he responded “I’ll play it by ear”.
He died as he lived, with his life itself an artwork.
His many friends, including Linda and Roland Gumbert, directors of South Hill Gallery and Cherry Hood, its curator, will miss him and his precocious abilities.
RIP (Repose in Paint) Martin.
