Sally Smart

Sally Smart
Australian, born 1960

Mad house (history painting) no. 1 1989
oil and enamel on canvas
Geelong Gallery
Purchased with funds generously provided by the Geelong Art Gallery Foundation, 1989

This painting is part of a series of works that also includes Tree house (for a sentimental seamstress) (1990). Here, the personal significance of the tree is further explored by Sally Smart: her subject’s upper limbs morph into tree branches. The tree alludes to the family tree; lineages and traditions; the sanctuary of tree house; and the tree of life.