Harvey’s World – A Retrospective

Harvey Wachtel was a serious artist with a whimsical touch. His bright colours, witty and insightful writings and children’s poetry was the lens through which he saw the world.

Harvey’s works were first hung in the Art Gallery of Western Australia in 1961, and for the rest of his life he was a prolific illustrator, painter, writer and poet, until he tragically lost his sight a few years before he passed away in the 28th November 2022.

Harvey exhibited in numerous galleries, and his works are held in many private collections. He was artist in residence at the Cable Beach Resort, and he was recognised with numerous awards in his lifetime.

Harvey said that there were no deep and significant meanings hidden away in his paintings for the viewer to unlock. He said ‘What you see is what you get and that’s it. No great message. No profound idea waiting to be discovered.’

While Harvey might have believed that there was nothing else to be taken from his paintings, the viewing is of course subjective and evokes different responses for every person.

While Harvey’s works are colourful in a joyful way, his art is by no means simply decorative. Harvey expressed the natural and man-made worlds with exuberant colours and witty insights that makes one smile and reflect.

In addition to a selection of his beautiful paintings, Harvey’s sketches, illustrated letters, newspaper and magazine articles, postcards and doodles will be on display. These tell colourful stories of his world travels and his whimsical, and perhaps charmingly naïve view of life.

Time: January 5-29, Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm.

Venue: Foyer Gallery, Margaret River HEART – Nala Bardip Mia

Ticket Prices: Free