WA artist's career brought to life in new exhibition

• Work of respected WA artist Guy Grey-Smith on display at the Art Gallery of WA

• First major retrospective of his work since 1976

• More than 120 remarkable works in the free exhibition

Guy Grey-Smith: Art as Life opens today at the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the first major retrospective of the influential Western Australian artist.

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said the free exhibition featured more than 120 works and provided a new insight into the remarkable achievements of Guy Grey-Smith (1916-1981).

"Guy Grey-Smith: Art as Life provides a unique opportunity for West Australians to view a comprehensive survey of the artist's 30-year career, from his earliest completed paintings to his monumental landscapes of the late 1970s," Mr Day said.

"His challenging paintings of the State's local landscape secured his position as an artist of national importance in the 1960s and 70s.  I am delighted to introduce a new generation of West Australians to this influential artist and his vivid, expansive works."

The gallery bought its first painting by the celebrated artist in 1953 entitled Karri Forest 1951. There are now 58 paintings, works on paper and ceramics in the State Art Collection.

In addition to the gallery's works there are significant works on loan from public and private collections including from the National Gallery of Australia, Janet Holmes à Court Collection, and Grey-Smith's children, Sue Grey-Smith and Mark Grey-Smith.

"I congratulate the gallery on developing this excellent retrospective of Guy Grey-Smith's work and encourage people to visit the gallery to view this remarkable exhibition," the Minister said.

          Fact File

• Exhibition opens March 21 and is on display through to July 14, 2014

• Entry is free

• More information at http://www.artgallery.wa.gov.au/exhibitions/guy-grey-smith.asp

Minister's office - 6552 6200