Cat on the Island – original cover painting

Oil on board, 283 x 570 mm, inscribed verso by the artist Cat on the Island : the cover, and signed ‘Gillian Warden 2007’. Fine condition. Accompanied by a first edition copy of the book Cat on the Island by Gary Crew, illustrated by Gillian Warden (Harper Collins : 2008), signed by Gillian Warden and dated 2008.

The original painting used for the front and back cover illustrations for the acclaimed children’s book Cat on the Island by award winning author Gary Crew and artist Gillian Warden. The book has an ecological theme, and is based on the true story of the impact of the introduction of cats to Shepherd’s Island in New Zealand, which led to the extermination of a rare species of wren. Crew’s simple and emotive words are well captured by the distinctive style of Gillian Warden, who was commissioned by the publishers to produce a series of artwork for the book.

Gillian Warden is represented in notable collections including the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Australian Capital Equity and Bankwest.

Original cover art for contemporary publications is rarely offered for sale.

Exhibiited : Gillian Warden : Cat on the Island, Delshan Art Gallery, Melbourne, 2008 (illustrated on the invitation)

Provenance : acquired from the above exhibition.