INGALLERY.1
14 June – 06 July 2025
Daniel Pata: HIGH COUNTRY
Ever since my first trip to the higher altitudes of the Blue mountains and its dynamic terrain, I have had a desire to work and spend time in ‘high country”.
Daniel Pata’s latest solo exhibition, High Country, is dominated by works depicting Katoomba and the Jamison Valley—landscapes he regards as part of one of the largest canyon systems in the world.
The exhibition features spectacular precipitous cliffs, clouded valleys, and expansive vistas, offering a compelling exploration of the diverse range of colours, tones, and rich textures these environments present.
The dynamic interplay of space within these scenes continues to reveal itself to Pata with each return visit.
This body of work also draws on material developed en plein air in the Snowy Mountains and reflects his sustained engagement with the Blue Mountains—an area he considers one of the most visually and emotionally powerful landscapes on earth. For Pata, the high country holds a profound spiritual significance, and his artistic connection to the region has only deepened over time.
Reflecting on his first exhibition and the advice of artist Lloyd Rees—who encouraged him to continue working in the high country—Pata now sees that guidance as prophetic, having shaped a significant and ongoing direction in his practice.
Daniel Pata’s work is held in major public collections in Australia and internationally, including the Gosford Regional Gallery Collection (NSW), Charles Sturt University (NSW), the National Gallery of Australia (Canberra, ACT), St Peter’s College at Oxford University (UK), as well as numerous corporate and private collections across Australia, Europe, and the United States.
Image Top Left (Detail):Daniel Pata: Last of the snow, Thredbo, 2023. Oil on Panel, Image size: 20x30cm.
Image Bottom Left: Daniel Pata: Thredbo Piste, 2025. Oil on board, Image size: 36x36cm.
