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Over the course of his 40-year career, Robert MacPherson has explored the philosophical propositions of what constitutes a work of art. He often incorporates familiar imagery, everyday materials and visual elements from daily life, honouring the beauty of the mundane. MacPherson’s fascination with systems of objects and language is manifested through broad fields of knowledge, including art history and social history, biology and mythology.

MacPherson has exhibited widely in Australia since the 1970s, including a major solo exhibition at the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane in 2015 and at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney in 2001. His many group exhibitions include the Biennale of Sydney (2010, 2000, 1998, 1990 and 1979); Sharjah Biennial 9 (2009); and Culturgest Contemporary Art, Lisbon (2008).

MacPherson is represented in numerous major state, regional and public collections in Australia, including the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney; Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide; Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle; National Gallery of Australia, Canberra; and National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.