David Rankin’s landscapes are underpinned by three themes: Western and Asian cultures, and the Aboriginal concept of place. There are nods to ‘all over’ painting - that is, imagery with no prime form or subject - as well as JMW Turner’s almost indiscernible vistas. Perhaps most striking however, is Rankin’s practice itself. Privileging process over product, his work follows the curvatures of life, allowing the landscape to reveal itself to him.

In this large screenprint, Rankin turns the night sky into a work of gestural abstraction. He envisions streams of stars, reminiscent of the power lines that link and light up houses. Indigo surges past pale green and purple - are these flashes electricity, stars or figments of Rankin’s imagination?

In 1983 Rankin won the Wynne Prize. He is currently represented in numerous public collections including at the National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of New South Wales and Queensland Art Gallery. For collectors of abstract and landscape art, Rankin is an enriching find.


David RANKIN (1946 - )
'River of Stars I' 1987
screenprint on paper
Edition of 50
Image Size: 91 x 69 cm
Dimensions: 107 x 76 cm
Signed: Rankin Lower Right
Comes with Letter of Provenance
Condition: Very Good