The forgotten Donald Brook: Sculptor of post-war humanism

Most Australians familiar with Brook's standing as an art critic, theoretician or philosopher do not know that his earlier life was spent as a professional sculptor in Britain, and that he had a vigorous practice after arriving in Canberra to do his PhD on the aesthetics of sculpture. In 1966 in Canberra he exhibited 24 “Serious Games in Relief”, and in 1967 held a major exhibition at Gallery A (Sydney and Melbourne branches). This freestanding work was favourably received by leading critics and purchased by the likes of James Fairfax (Sydney Morning Herald owner) and Zara Holt (designer and the Prime Minister’s wife). However upon moving his family to Sydney in 1968 to take up his lectureship at the Power Institute and become art critic for the Sydney Morning Herald, Brook's sculptural practice ceased entirely. The next year he could say, “My taste has outgrown my own product”. 

Part of the Art History Seminar Series, convened by Mary Roberts and Nick Croggon, and presented by the Power Institute and the discipline of art history at the University of Sydney.

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