Historically art of the imagination finds itself in favour spasmodically, only to be eclipsed for long durations by art which either copies its models directly from nature; or as was the case for the main part of the twentieth century, finds its models in the non-figurative. 

Andre Breton lamented on the eclipse of the nineteenth century's practitioners of art of the imagination, the symbolists (mortal enemies of the impressionists & Zola) and famously proclaimed that the appreciation of their art was blocked by the level crossings of nothing. 

History tends to be circular and today the boom gates of the level crossings have been lowered yet again. 

In a nation like Australia where the artistic cause celebres have been those whose horizons never quite rose above nationalistic themes  you might expect that the imagination would be overwhelmed or extinguished.  Fortunately this has not quite  been the case, but only just.

2002

demetrios vakras