Simple Wonders: Exhibition of the Paintings from the Collection of Andrew Johns Part Three: Hugh Schulz
Hugh Schulz (1921-2005) was an acclaimed Australian artist known for his evocative landscapes and a member of the Brushmen of the Bush, an artist collective that brought the Australian Outback to global attention.
Born in Innisfail, in far North Queensland in 1921, Hugh Schulz's childhood was tough. His mother (who was Scottish) died before he was four and, as his father found it difficult to cope, Hugh spent his childhood in the care of others. At a young age he was living in Broken Hill attending the Burkeward Public School. Leaving school at 14 years Hugh set off for the gold mining town of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia to find his brother and thus began his working life as a miner.
When WWII broke out Hugh joined up and served in the 1st Australian Field Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers, AIF in New Guinea. It is was during this time in war torn New Guinea that that he first began to paint.
You can read more about Hugh's life by following the bookmark below and by using the AnArt4life blog search tool to read the many posts we have written about the delightful paintings created by this wonderful artist.
Anne Newman
Hugh Schulz’s work reflects a deep connection to the natural environment, capturing the stark beauty and dramatic light of the Australian landscape with a unique and vivid style. His paintings predominantly feature expansive desert scenes, robust gum trees, and rugged terrain, drawing viewers into the heart of the outback.
Schulz’s use of bold colors and sweeping brushstrokes conveys a dynamic and lively interpretation of the wilderness, distinguishing him as a key figure in Australian landscape painting.
There was magic in the brush stroke of Hugh Schulz as he worked to transform the unforgiving, desolate and often dangerous nature of the Australian desert into a warm, welcoming and beautiful place where you just want to be.
Please take time to study the Schulz compositions included in this post and you will discover a wonderland of creatures among the colourful array of vegetation, meticulously painted by Hugh into patterns of shapes and colours.
Hugh Schulz stands up high as one of Australia's greatest naive artists - if not the greatest- demonstrating the power of observation and the ability to bring alive a harmonious composition of dramatic colour.
He loved all creatures and so they have pride of place in the environment he captures on canvas but note, above all else, the inclusion of birds- in all their shapes, sizes and colours - appearing in most of his paintings.
As a member of the Brushmen of the Bush, alongside Jack Absalom, Pro Hart, John Pickup and Eric Minchin, Schulz played a crucial role in putting Broken Hill on the map as the Outback Art Capital of Australia and in bringing the art and culture of the Australian Outback to wider worldwide audiences in the 1970s and 1980s.
This group of artists not only showcased their work through national and international exhibitions but also contributed significantly to charitable causes, raising funds for numerous community projects and organizations. Schulz’s contribution to the collective helped establish the enduring appeal of Australian landscape art, and his works continue to be celebrated for their authentic portrayal of the Australian Outback, highlighting both its raw beauty and cultural significance.
Tomorrow we will look at two more of the Brushmen of the Bush and their paintings which are part of the Simple Wonders exhibition - John Pickup OAM and Pro Hart.
‘All artwork images © the artists. All Simple Wonders exhibition images used with permission of Singleton Arts + Cultural Centre.’
Special thanks are extended to:
Sandra Lindeman, daughter of Hugh Schulz, for her ongoing interest in and support of the AnArt4Life blog and for granting permission for images of paintings by Hugh Schulz to be shown on the AnArt4Life blog.