“Mount Stuart”, 2024

James Brown

“Mount Stuart”, 2024

Oil on canvas

Size: 35.5 x 45.5 cm

Mount Stuart, a defining landmark of Townsville in Australia’s tropical north, is the subject of this painting. A notable omission, however, is the cluster of communication towers that crown its summit. Originally included, these prominent structures were ultimately removed during the painting's development, deemed too visually dominant. Upon close examination, however, subtle traces of their earlier presence can still be discerned.

Painting familiar landmarks can verge on the cliché. Nevertheless, Mount Stuart possesses a natural, almost sculpted beauty that interests me greatly, prompting numerous artistic interpretations. This particular iteration marks a shift from previous versions. I now possess a deeper understanding of the mountain's structure, the interplay of its steep rock faces and sharply defined fault lines. Freed from the need for a purely topographical representation, I could relax and simply revel in the subtle shifts of colour and direction within the mountain's form.