Julian Meagher

The fact that Sydney artist Julian Meagher originally studied medicine might be deduced from the proliferation of body images in his paintings. From classical life drawing and persuasive portraiture studied in Italy and Sydney, Meagher has moved to the depiction of intricate tattoos on the backs, torsos, shoulders, arms and legs of male subjects. This might be seen as a new episode of Pop art with the globalisation of cultural practices originating in the EastA'particularly Japan, where Meagher has frequently travelled. His Pop imagery also extends to festival scenes and the elevation of supermarket and liquor-shop packages and products to symbols of our times. This is thought-provoking art with a very original and timely edge.