From 1941, modernist Eric Thake began sending his friends hand-designed Christmas cards. By 1975, he moved from lino-cuts to offset lithographs, his eyesight beginning to fail. Sharply observed nonetheless, these cards still speak to Thake’s innerworld and perspective on life, with this particular work sent to his friend, revered writer and curator Ursula Hoff.

‘TV camel of Lake Rudolf’ is hand-signed and inscribed to Hoff. It humorously envisions a camel smiling into the camera, us. Inside, Thake writes “If the smiling stranger says he’ll “just have a couple” be sure it is glasses & not gallons.” A lesson for all us confronted by a charismatic camel.

Represented across numerous public collections, including at the Art Gallery of South Australia, ‘TV camel of Lake Rudolf’ is an accessible entry into Thake’s practice. It speaks to his remarkable wit, Australian modernism and the friendship between an artist and scholar. With strikingly excellent provenance, it is a prize for collectors of modernist art.

Eric THAKE (1904 - 1982)
'TV camel of Lake Rudolf' 1977
offset lithograph on paper
Image Size: 22 x 28 cm
Dimensions: 22 x 28 cm - overall sheet size, scored to fold
Signed: Signed and dated lower right: Eric Thake 1977; inscribed with dedication to Dr Hoff verso.
Comes with Letter of Provenance

Impressions of this work are at the:

National Gallery of Victoria, accession number: 2010.58

National Gallery of South Australia, accession number: 20172G37

Maitland Regional Art Gallery, accession number: 2007.178.s

Inscribed reverse sheet, ink To Ursula + Mother / with Best Wishes / for Xmas + 1978 / If the smiling stranger says hell just have a couple / be sure it is glasses + / not gallows. / Eric ThakeInscribed reverse sheet upper right [by Ursula Hoff?], ink answer

Condition: Excellent

© The Artist or Assignee