Artist Statement

‘Prof. Colin Ferguson - bringing the pieces together’

oil on linen 2024

140 x 110 cm

Colin Ferguson was a distinguished figure in the fields of auditing, forensic accounting, and information systems, boasting a Ph.D. from Deakin University. His professional journey began at Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co (now KPMG) before transitioning to academia, where he imparted his knowledge globally. Renowned for his research and teaching, Colin held esteemed positions at the University of Queensland and the University of Melbourne, where he helped establish the Centre for Accounting and Industry Partnerships and the Australian Accounting Hall of Fame. During this time, he also served on various professional and editorial boards, notably as President of the Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand. His legacy, marked by extensive publications and influential leadership, endures beyond his passing in 2014.

Embarking on the task of painting Colin's posthumous portrait was both an honour and an emotional challenge, charged with artistic and representational complexities. Rather than simply depicting his role in accounting, my aim was to capture Colin's impact on fostering connections within the academic community and beyond.

Through heartfelt conversations with his former colleagues and most notably his son Patrick, I gained insights into Colin's deep fascination with how people interact with computers to make decisions in their professional and personal lives. A core narrative began to emerge, being ‘Jigsaw Pieces’ and with an already perceived notion that puzzle pieces represent solving and connecting, I thought it a perfect visual to expand on. Colin had a much more organic and rounded approach to his work, as opposed to a traditional and linear method, the puzzle pieces have that contour, that rounded shape, and in the end, they need to fit and join together to become one.  The abstract shape of the pieces somewhat resembles a person and or persons, and in understanding Colin had a special way to unite people, the Jigsaw represents this, ultimately forming part of the ‘bigger picture’.

The painting process commenced with meticulous planning, including the creation of a plywood model to refine composition, lighting, and angles along with numerous sketches and studies. I decided to have Colin sitting on the ‘structure’ to have him within the conversation, emersed in his philosophy, and being graciously loaned his signature leather jacket helped enormously when I had a model sit for me, to develop the pose during the process. Leaving the jigsaw pieces in their raw timber state was a personal homage to Colin's affinity for craftsmanship, particularly carpentry. 

In essence, this portrait seeks to encapsulate Colin Ferguson's multidimensional legacy, honouring his intellectual rigor, visionary leadership, and profound capacity for bringing people together.