One of the great interpreters of the Australian landscape, local artist Michael Taylor is currently showing a collection of his paintings at Nancy Sever Art Gallery in Civic until the end of the month. 

GALLERY owner Nancy Sever says that Michael Taylor is one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists, whose work is represented in major collections including those of the National Gallery of Australia, all state and regional galleries, university, corporate and private collections.

“Michael lives and works in the Monaro region, where he draws his inspiration from the natural world around him. He paints the landscapes and waterscapes of south-eastern NSW, capturing their rhythms and changing atmospheres,” says Nancy. 

“His paintings stand at the junction of landscape and abstraction, though they often appear to melt into total abstraction.” 

Michael Taylor graduated from the East Sydney Technical College, now the National Art School, where he was taught by the eminent artists Ralph Balson and Godfrey Miller. 

He has been exhibiting regularly since 1963 and has participated in numerous international and Australian exhibitions. 

Nancy Sever Gallery is located on level one of City Walk, above King O’Malley’s in the heart of the city and is the only commercial gallery in Civic. 

With a long-spanning arts career, including 20 years as the founding director of the Drill Hall Gallery at the ANU, Nancy says she was motivated to open her own gallery because of her passion for art and collaborating with artists. 

“I have had the great fortune of working with artists my whole career. In my gallery, I wanted to focus on established artists. When you become a full-time artist, you need to live from your art and I think these artists need a gallery to support them,” she says. 

“I try to bring work to Canberra that otherwise wouldn’t be exhibited,” she says. 

Nancy says she presents a new exhibition each month, and has been able to move the artworks around to different locations in the building, including turning one of the ground floor units into a pop-up artspace. 

“I love the way art makes you see the world,” says Nancy. 

“I hope more people get back into the habit of visiting commercial art galleries and making an afternoon of enjoying art while they are in the city,” she says. 

Michael Taylor paintings, showing until October 30. Nancy Sever Gallery, Level 1, 131 CityWalk, Civic. Visit nancysevergallery.com.au