Tony Coleing: Looking At An Unknown

Coleing has a long career, from being including in seminal exhibitions in 1968 such as The Field at the NGV, and in 1980 representing Australia at the Venice Biennale. He has worked across all media, from painting, sculpture, installation, drawing and printmaking. 

Throughout his life, his work focussed on political and social issues of the environment, the economy and societal problems. His work is comprehensively represented in public collections such as the National Gallery of Australia and all Australian state galleries. 

His printmaking has explored both traditional and experimental techniques, and in recent years he has worked mainly in digital imagery. 

This body of work, Looking at an unknown, asks us to consider the plight of endangered species. Appearing as shadows, or blurred objects in landscapes, Coleing is reminding us that these animals are on the verge of disappearing from their habitats, and in due course our memories.