Stewart McFarlane

Stewart McFarlane is a prominent Australian figurative painter known for his vivid, narrative-driven works that explore themes of identity, isolation, and the human condition. Born in Adelaide in 1953, he began his artistic journey at the South Australian School of Art at age 16, studying under David Dallwitz. In 1975, he moved to New York City to study at the School of Visual Arts, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1977. During this period, he worked as a studio assistant for notable artists such as Alex Katz, Janet Fish, and Chuck Close. MacFarlane’s style combines pared-down realism with expressionistic touches and surreal lighting, often depicting enigmatic scenes with nude or semi-nude figures. His work has been exhibited extensively across Australia, the United States, Germany, and Malaysia, with over 70 solo exhibitions to his name. His paintings are held in major collections, including the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, and the Art Gallery of Western Australia. MacFarlane continues to live and work in Australia, contributing significantly to contemporary figurative painting.

Since I embarked, at the age of 16, on the artistic path, I have always been a figurative painter. I often tell unspecified stories. My paintings are largely inspired by the locations I live in, which have been many. I will begin by recording a scene that has inspired me. Light is an important factor. As I paint the study on location, I imagine what a larger work will include?

My painting, For Better or For Worse is a ‘nod’ to one of my favourite figurative artists, Canadian, Alex Colville, in particular his painting, ‘Pacific’, 1967.The outback scene is of The Flinders Ranges, in South Australia, a place I have returned to many times and it has inspired several of my works. The seduction and the drama of the outback is something that has been rich material for so many memorable Australian authors and film-makers over the decades. I hope to continue that tradition.