Melbourne-born Robert Rooney was a painter, photographer, art critic and a leading proponent of conceptual art in Australia. Among his photographic works are a body of candid portraits of his art world friends and acquaintances characterised by a spare, informal aesthetic. ‘There were certain rules – to use available light, no matter how dim, and no cropping of images,’ he said. Writer Judy Annear (b. 1951) was director of the EGPG from 1980 to 1992, and subsequently became Senior Curator of Photographs at the Art Gallery of NSW.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012
© Estate of Robert Rooney
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