George Gittoes is a major Australian artist, photographer, writer and filmmaker. Now he is 74-year-old, draws inspiration from his work with ancient stamps in the Yellow House rose garden in Jalalabad. He likens himself to Claude Monet painting in his water lily garden at a similar age, viewing the use of stamps as a form of oil paintings. These wood stamps, some dating back hundreds of years, hold a divine geometry that allows Gittoes to access mystical doorways and tap into his subconscious. During a visit to the Peshawar University Museum, Gittoes discovered the historical significance of the stamps, with some dating back over a thousand years, passed down through generations of women. While no longer used for fabric decoration, these stamps continue to influence Gittoes' artistic expression.
Acclaimed as one of Australia’s most important artists, Gittoes has been recognised for his humanitarian and peacemaking efforts and has been awarded an Order of Australia (AM) and in 2015 he was awarded the Sydney Peace Prize in recognition of his life's work in contributing to the peace making process. His work has been collected by Australian major art organizations and world wide museums. 'Doorways' is a collection of Gittoes' lastest works, painted and exhibited at the City Yellow House Jalalabad in 2024. These works will be available for veiwing and purchase exclusively at CBD Gallery, 72 Erskine Street, Sydney throughout May and June.