The Private World of Mind – Stewart MacInnes

A Retrospective Celebration of Stewart MacInnes

Step into the extraordinary creative world of Stewart MacInnes (1937 – 2021)

A visionary artist whose life was dedicated to the pursuit of authentic expression. This retrospective exhibition honours his profound artistic journey, showcasing a lifetime of work that is as diverse as it is captivating.

_{Main artwork: Reclining Woman 1973, oil on canvas, 160 x 98cm. Photographed by Helen MacInnes}

About Stewart MacInnes

Born in Camperdown, Stewart’s path was anything but conventional.

From studying law and medicine to working in advertising, illustration, and even shearing sheds, his life was a tapestry of experiences. Yet, it was art that became his true calling, a medium through which he found purpose and peace.

Stewart’s works, often centered on the human form, are a harmonious blend of abstraction and raw emotion — organic, sensuous, and deeply evocative. A longtime resident of the hills, he lived in Emerald with his wife Carole, raising their four children while finding solace in both his art and his work as a gardener.

"The paintings would paint themselves."

Stewart MacInnes

For Stewart, art was never about recognition. It was a deeply personal endeavor, a lifeline that allowed him to express his innermost thoughts and emotions. “The paintings would paint themselves,” he often said, reflecting his intuitive and meditative approach to creation.