Jon Plapp, 68, Australian abstract painter, dies
wazzzy
JON Plapp, one of Australia's finest abstract painters, has died at the
age of 68 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
Plapp was found on Monday several days after his death.
When he failed to return calls from his brother and his dealer, Frank
Watters, police had a locksmith break into his Sydney home, where they
discovered his body.
Plapp's ostensibly severe, geometrical paintings trod the line between
reticence and deep sentiment with enormous subtlety and conviction. His
final works, in particular, seemed to quiver with emotion. They were
painted during a period in which the artist's illness was becoming more
severe.
Despite the shaking and other symptoms of Parkinson's, he drew his
complex rectilinear designs free-hand. He would paint the canvases on
the floor, leaning on his arms to stop his hands shaking.
"He spent all day, every day like this, bent over, kneeling," said Jo
Bertini, a fellow artist and friend who recently painted a portrait of
Plapp. "Every element in his work was premeditated. He was so clear
about what he wanted to do."
Plapp studied psychology in Canada, where he met Richard McMillan, a
sculptor and academic who became his life partner.
The two returned to Sydney in the 1970s. When Plapp became increasingly
affected by Parkinson's, McMillan played a vital role in caring for
him.
But McMillan died suddenly earlier this year after being diagnosed with
a brain tumour.
As his own condition and emotional state deteriorated, Plapp organised
a posthumous tribute show of his partner's work in Sydney.
Although dedicated to his painting, he also worked full-time as a
psychologist at the Rivendell Child and Adolescent Unit in Sydney.
An exhibition of Plapp's works on paper, which he delivered to Watters
Gallery only a few weeks ago, will be held early next year.
Hyfler/Rosner
"wazzzy" <enter...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1164900512.8...@f1g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20851442-16947,00.html
>
> JON Plapp, one of Australia's finest abstract painters,
> has died at the
> age of 68 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
> Plapp was found on Monday several days after his death.
http://www.wattersgallery.com/artists/Plapp/plapp.other.html
http://www.charlesnodrumgallery.com.au/ArtistsPlapp.htm
