Susan began purchasing art in Australia around 1970 after meeting Barry Stern in his Pymble gallery. She also visited his Paddington gallery, often wandering through Paddington to other galleries which clustered the suburb at that time. The Marks began collecting artists such as David Boyd, Ray Crooke and Matthew and Tessa Perceval on the recommendations & from the stable of Barry Stern.
In 1972, the Marks, returning from a European holiday, stopped over in Bali, to meet Barry Stern’s good friend, Donald Friend. They spent time with the artist enjoying his beautiful gardens and from whom they purchased the major Friend works in their collection. As a thank you Friend gifted the Marks the many small sketches which are also included in the Collection.
A major work by Jean Appleton, Still Life, Poppies & Iris (Lot 6052 ) included in their collection, was purchased on a trip to London in 1989.
The sale also includes a collection of works from the Estate of the Late John O’Brien, a tireless supporter of emerging Australian artists including AnA Wojak, Chas Glover, glass artist Tom Moore & Peter O’Doherty.
Other works featuring in the auction include Pink & Blue Still Life 1947 (Lot 6056 ) by Gladys Osborne (nee Reynell), from the late 1940s period, an interesting work by Conrad Martens, Fernhill on the Nepean, The Hon G H Cox's Residence, (Lot 6103 ) a rare interesting linocut by Violet Teague, Magpie, (Lot 6009 ) and interesting collection of modern photographic works, by artists such as Lewis Morley, Andrius Burba, Garth Knight, Fritz Kok, Catherine Hourihan & Massimo Vitali.
Other notable artists featured include Lawrence Daws, Lloyd Rees, Elywn Lynn, Graham Kuo, Wosene Kosrof, Alun Leach-Jones, Albert Ridge, James R Jackson, Pro Hart, Judy Drew & Kerrie Lester.
The Auction will be on view Friday 24 & Monday 27 November 10am-3pm or by appointment, in Theodore Bruce’s 118 Parramatta Road, Stanmore Rooms. The sale will be a timed online auction on 27 November 2023, closing from 6pm.
