Pat Larter: Paintings

By Carrie Miller

The late Pat Larter remains best known as the muse of her famous artist husband, Richard Larter, despite the fact that she was not simply a passive model for the thousands of images he produced of her. In addition to playing a vital role in facilitating much of her partner’s work, Larter had her own distinct practice. In the 1970s she was known for her association with the international underground Mail Art movement as well as her own performance events. She also collaborated with Richard on his performance video works and used her body as an active source of content for his nudes. The pair shared a symbiotic creative relationship which blurred the line between art and life, yet it is clear that Pat was, in many ways, its driving force.

The suite of paintings by Larter currently on display at Watters Gallery were made in the years immediately before her death in 1996. They express the life force that she was: colourful and experimental. The glittery, garish works depict repetitive motifs – from domestic tapestry-like imagery to quasi-pagan symbols – which look like they were scavenged from a range of sources both from art and life.

Until February 23

Watters Gallery, Darlinghurst

www.wattersgallery.com