Australiawhimsically

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33067, 7 November 1972, Page 12

Australia—whimsically

Mr Aurel Ragus, a Ruma-nian-bom Australian, exhibits about twenty-five examples of his copper figure work at the Tasman Gallery, Gloucester Street. His work in this exhibition is mostly a portrayal of what Australians in certain walks of life are popularly meant to look like. The figures he creates are cartoon-like, with narrow shoulders, bulging waistlines, spindley arms and legs, and wearing oversize boots. They include a “Boundary Rider," someone called "Dingo Dan,” a newsboy, “Council Workers,” two priests in a work called ‘Tut Tut,” the inevitable "Jackaroo," and a host of other similar constructions. While such work may appeal at a superficial level for its whimsy, or at a craft level for its workmanship, there is little about it that can be associated with serious sculpture. The exhibition will close on November 10. —G.T.M.