New Drawings

Andrew Frost

One of the first things that strikes you about Jonathan Delafield Cook’s drawings are their incredible precision. Executed in charcoal on paper or canvas, the delicate, photorealistic finish is breathtaking and, given the unforgiving nature of the medium where no mistake can be made, their precise lines and shading, the detail and the works complete faithfulness to observation is nothing short of astounding. Over the years Delafield Cook has produced work on a variety of subjects but all of it related to observations of the natural world, drawings and paintings of Australian native birds, plants and leaves.

For his latest show with Olsen Irwin, Delafield Cook has produced a series of drawings in charcoal of sea creatures, including the magnificent centrepiece of the show, a massive 200 x 1200 centimetre drawing of a Sperm Whale. On neighbouring walls the artist has also included three types of dolphin, nine mackerels and a shoal of small fish, 100 individual 7 x 15 centimetre drawings. The consistency and clarity of Delafield Cook’s work is evident but the placement and arrangement of the works suggests an intriguing relationship between the works, as though the single whale might equal three dolphins, or eat 100 mackerel’s in a single mouthful – a ratio of existence between creatures. Although the answer to this question remains elusive, Delafield Cook’s exhibition reminds us of the simple beauty of nature.

Until January 25

Olsen Irwin, Paddington

Source: Olsen Gallery website

Pic: Jonathan Delafield Cook, Bottle-nosed Dolphin, 2013. Charcoal on primed linen, 86x203cm.