Yosl Bergner is one of Australia’s most important artists. Born in Austria and raised in Poland, he and his family immigrated to Australia in 1937 to escape anti-semitism. In Melbourne, Bergner attended the National Art School and befriended the Heide circle, who included Sidney Nolan, Albert Tucker and John Perceval. It was alongside Noel Coulihan and Vic O’Connor however, that Bergner made his indeminable mark. Self-described as a social humanist, Bergner and his fellow social realists forged a bracingly political vision.

‘The Crooked Lamp’ features a battered blue lamp. For Bergner, everyday utensils like lamps are symbolic of the Jewish refugee’s plight. Stuffed into suitcases and shuttled around, they bear the experience of dispossession, secrecy and loss. In this work however, there is a flicker of light; a sliver of optimism against the darkening day.

Bergner brought German Expressionism to Australia. His legacy persists in not only style, but the belief art can change the world. A lifelong member of the National Gallery of Victoria, a major retrospective of his work was held at Tel Aviv Museum in 2000. He is represented in numerous public collections in Australia and abroad, and is the recipient of the Israel Prize for painting and co-recipient of the Dizengoff Prize for painting. For collectors of socially conscious, Modern and expressionist art, Bergner is a must.
 

Yosl BERGNER (1920 - 2017)
'Crooked Lamp' Ca. 1980s
screenprint on paper
Image Size: 38 x 28 cm
Dimensions: 62 x 45 cm
Signed: Signed [in Hebrew] lower right; editioned AP lower left.
Comes with Letter of Provenance
Availability: in stock
Condition: Very Good: Describes a work of art’s image As New, but may show some small signs of surrounding wear. There are no tears to paper margin or disruption to paint surface. Image is in Fine condition.
© The Artist or Assignee