Joel ELENBERG

b. Australia, 1948; d. Australia 1980

Untitled 1977

watercolour and pencil on paper

2021.55

Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program by Irwin

Hirsh

in memory of Etta and Emmanuel

Hirsh, 2021

About the artist and their work:

Born in 1948, Melbourne artist Joel Elenberg had no formal training in fine art but took up painting after finishing high school. Elenberg travelled extensively in the Middle East in the 1960s and after returning to Melbourne held his first solo exhibition with Australian Galleries in 1969.

Elenberg discovered a passion for sculpture early in his career and went on to create iconic African-inspired abstract sculptures of masks and faces. He exhibited extensively throughout the 1970s with regular exhibitions across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. In the mid-1970s Elenberg lived in Carrara, Italy, home of the marble industry. He created this watercolour whilst living in the Italian village. The drawing has the strict formal qualities of his sculptures and conveys a sense of longing for home.

Alberr SHOMALY

b. Palestine, 1950

Untitled 1971

Untitled 1971

Untitled 1972-73

Colour Chart 1973

Untitled not dated

silkscreen, lithograph and colour photographic prints on paper paint and collage on paper

2021.75-79

Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program by Anouk Hulme in memory of Etta and Emmanuel Hirsh, 2021