A Life of Color and Landscape
Born in Odesa, Ukraine, to Latvian parents, Reinis Zusters lived a life shaped by significant global shifts. After studying Art and Architecture at the Riga Technical College and anatomy at Riga University, he served as a war artist for the German army from 1942 to 1945. Following years in displaced persons camps in Germany, Zusters arrived in Australia in 1950. He eventually settled in the Blue Mountains, where he practiced as a full-time professional artist.
His work predominantly featured oils, capturing the Australian countryside through large landscapes and triptychs of the Blue Mountains. His technique often involved applying thick layers of oil paint with a palette knife to create cityscapes, or using a spattered style for mountain landscapes, sometimes preparing canvases on the grass with washes and glazes. He was also known for massive epic panels titled The Birth of a Nation.
Recognition and Legacy
Zusters' artistic career was marked by numerous prestigious awards across Australia, Japan, and the United States. His achievements include:
- The Wynne Prize for Landscape
- The Daily Telegraph Art Prize
- The Bronze Prize in the 1990 Osaka Triennale
- The Order of Australia Medal (1994)
His paintings are held in various public collections, including the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the National Portrait Gallery of Australia, and the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. He died in his studio in Wentworth Falls, Australia.
