Colin Hayes (1924–1999)

The biography, following a brief overview, provides an insight on the artist’s education and career, and briefly discusses his work. It is illustrated throughout with 30 colour and 30 back and white reproductions of Buhler’s work; mostly paintings in oil but including at least a couple of pastels. Most of the images are as large as the page reasonably allows; and many of the illustrations are accompanied with a short commentary.

Considering that this is a fairly modest book of just 73 pages measuring 21.5cm x 20.5 cm (8.5” x 8”), it manages to cram quite a lot of interesting information. Of course it would have been better if all the illustrations were in colour, but those that are enable one to get enough of an idea of the artist’s palette. The work, which includes still life, portraits and landscapes, is subtle, uncomplicated, sometimes considerably simplified yet always representational.… (mere)