Painter, panorama artist and exhibition organiser, was born in Arnhem, Holland. After graduating from the Academy of Art in 1942, he moved to Amsterdam to work as an artist. In 1960 he migrated to Melbourne and in 1966 moved to Alice Springs where he opened the Art Gallery Guth. Gradually a museum of aboriginal culture was built up, and in 1971 plans were drawn up for the Panorama Guth. The idea came from a similar project in The Hague, Holland, a seascape painted in 1880 (see Panorama book). Guth planned a circular painting on canvas to be viewed from a central platform, giving the impression of standing on a lookout. Foundations were laid in 1973 and in January 1975 building had reached a stage where the canvas could be hung. The canvas consists of 33 pieces of Irish Linen joined by aluminium strips. It measures 6 metres (20 feet) in height, and 70 metres (200 feet) in circumference, with a diameter of 20 metres (60 feet).
In February 1975 a Dutch artist, Fritz Pieters was recruited to assist Guth with the enormous task of planning, setting out, sketching and painting the panorama. It was painted on location, as it now stands, with the use of special scaffolding. Pieters remained in Alice Springs for 3 months and after his departure, Guth spent another 3 months on the painting. An estimated 700 kilograms (1,500 lbs.) of paint were made by Guth for the project.
The foreground extends 6 metres (20 feet) from the platform to the painting and is of natural sand and flora. It gives the effect of actually being in the bush-land. The panorama depicts the many scenic attractions of Central Australia and was finally completed in August 1975 and opened to the public. It is a spectacular achievement and the only panorama of its type in the world.
The gallery under the panorama houses a permanent collection of Henk Guth’s paintings. There is another section on aboriginal culture, a collection of historic Alice Springs photographs, and a display of Guth’s paintings for sale to the public. The Panorama Guth is open every day except Sundays, and Christmas Day from 9.00am to 5.oopm. Further information can be obtained on Phone +61 08 8952 2013.
