John Brack. Collins St., 5 p.m. 1955. This iconic image of mid-twentieth century Melbourne is one of the reasons that John Brack is hailed as the quintessential Melbourne artist. While he often found subject matter in his immediate surroundings, Brack also maintained an enduring interest in people and the human condition. Describing the ritualised drudgery of nine-to-five office work, this painting was inspired by a passage from T.S. Eliot’s monumental ode to modern life, “The Waste Land” 1922, as well as by the sight of crowds of people walking along Collins Street towards the trams and trains that would take them home at the end of the working day.

John Brack, Demonstration. 1973.

John Brack, The Block. 1954.

John Brack, Two typists. 1955.

John Brack, Self portrait. 1955. John Brack attended evening classes at the National Gallery School from 1938 to 1940 before serving in the army for six years. Following his discharge, he returned to full time study, later working at the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria) as an assistant in the Print Room. Brack was approached to take the position of head of the Gallery School in 1962. Intially he agreed to an interim employment but was persuaded to remain in the position until 1968. Brack held a studio behind his office, however the demands of the position meant that he had little time to paint and he exhibited infrequently during his appointment.

John Brack, Nude with a dressing gown. 1967.