"The Arrival" Print

PETER MACKENNAL ARTISTS BACKGROUND Peter Mackennal was born in Melbourne, Victoria in 1940. He now resides and works from his studio in Noosa Heads, Queensland or from his studio in Richmond Victoria. Peter comes from a long line of artists who left their mark on the Australian art world. His Great Grandfather, John Simpson Mackennal was a sculptor and modeler who worked on the design and construction of various projects in Melbourne including Parliament House and the GPO. His Grandfather's brother, Sir Bertram Mackennal, studied and majored in sculpture at the National Gallery of Victoria School of Art, alongside his colleagues Arthur Streeton, Frederick McCubbin and Tom Roberts. Bertram eventually moved to Paris to further his studies and shared a studio with long time friend Auguste Rodin. He was one of the few Australian artists to be invited to become a member of the Royal Academy or Art and was awarded a Knighthood in 1921,by one of his benefactors King George V. His work can be viewed today in nearly every major gallery around the world. Peter's parents were both talented artists and were a major influence on his desire to paint. Peter studied art at College then continued to study with his friend and mentor Leonard French. Peter's work continues using empirical symbols and ancient art forms. Peter moved to Noosa Heads 23 years ago. His work characterized by his strong use of colour, bold and defiant in nature, with highly textured surfaces. His preferred medium of choice is acrylic with polyurethane and oil based paints, giving the surface a high gloss finish often pushing the boundaries with the use of marble dust and plaster sculptured into textured forms on the canvas and Hessian. Peter first exhibited at the Herald Sun exhibition 1969 where he received an honorable mention. Peter's work forms part of many collections worldwide, Inc the Gavin Anderson collection in New York, also the Kerry Packer collection in Sydney.
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