$14,750.00
Plane Search Delatite River
Original Oil on Board By Artist Kevin Best 76cm x 51cm
In 1931, a plane the “Southern Cloud” crashed in the Snowy Mountains. Immediately, search parties formed, particularly locals and experienced mountain people. Although these mounted parties searched heroically in terrible conditions, the wreckage of the “Southern Cloud” was not found for 27 years, and then only by accident – (a stockman searching for lost cattle). The word “Cloud” was still visible on the wing. Such is the inspiration for this painting, and it is dedicated to all those unsung heroes of this Australian tradition. Kevin has painted his famous rays of light and underwater rocks which makes this painting a stand out.
The country which the search party traversed to reach the wreck is some of the most rugged mountain terrain in Australia. Search officials said that but for the access roads built for the Snowy Mountains scheme, the wreckage might never have been discovered. The wreck was found on the south-western slope of the Toolong Range, looking out over the Tooma Gorge. It was about 20 miles beyond Junction Shaft Camp and about two miles and a half up the mountain from the road leading to the Deep Creek access tunnel. So steep and rough is the country between the road and the wreck that the search party took about an hour and a half to cover the distance. The aircraft was found to have struck the mountain only about 300 or 400 feet from the top of the range.
Nestled in the heart of Victoria’s High Country, the Delatite River is a stunning freestone stream that offers some of the best fly-fishing opportunities in the region. Flowing from the slopes of Mount Buller, this river provides an exciting and rewarding experience. Flowing through alpine forests and farmland, the Delatite offers a picturesque setting for this stunning painting.
Kevin was born in January 1932 at Hamilton, NSW, a suburb of Newcastle, he died on the 31st of July 2012 at his home in Sydney. His real love of Art and great admiration for the works of Heysen, Gruner and the Heidelberg School prompted him to begin painting in 1972. He developed an intense love of drawing at an early age and a deep insight into nature, and this is now evident in his paintings. To capture the true feeling for his work, Kevin often camped out in the bush to learn as much as he can about his subject. Kevin ceased painting for galleries in late 2007, but continued to paint for his own enjoyment, until his death aged 80 in Sydney. It means demand for his artworks has never been higher.
