Marchant’s paintings are mainly figurative depicting people in the Australian landscape. Early subjects include his memories of growing up in the Wimmera, a farming area of Victoria. 

 

His paintings came to prominence in 1988 when Margaret Olley judged him the winner of The Sulman Prize at The Art Gallery of NSW. More success followed when John Olsen again awarded him his second Sulman Prize in 1989.

Other prizes include The Mosman Art Prize and The Banjo Patterson Prize.

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In 1996 his series of 14 paintings titled ‘The Drovers Boy’ was selected to tour regional galleries and was featured on TV in the ABC Review Program.

 

Bob regularly exhibits in Sydney and has had shows in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Solo exhibitions abroad include Los Angeles, Honolulu and France.

 

In 2001 he completed a large painting commissioned by The Australian War Museum in Canberra to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Museum opening. Other commissions include two large paintings for the foyer of The Australian Embassy in Tokyo.

 

Bob now lives in Bundeena in The Royal National Park, one hours drive from Sydney, where he shares a studio with his wife, ceramic artist, Inger Marchant.