The Two Masters Art Exhibition (July 6-9) will feature the works of Gordon Hanley and John McCartin, both internationally acclaimed Australians whose works are among the most sought-after in the world.

Both will be on site during the exhibition.

“These guys are as big as you get anywhere in the art world,” gallery owner Trevor Richards said.

“We’re really excited. Very few galleries get to hang their works - we’re lucky to be able to hang both, and to have them here on site . . .  that’s just icing on the cake.”

Their CVs make stunning reading.

McCartin won Best Painting in the World in 2011, as judged by the prestigious International Artist Magazine, beating more than 23,000 entries from 93 countries. He has since received more than 50 major international awards.

But his crowning glory came when he was hand-picked for membership of the Master Painters of the World artists guild, an exclusive group widely recognised as the best artists in the world today.

Hanley’s resume is no less impressive. He has been named Australia’s only “Living Master” by the US Art Renewable Centre, one of the art world’s of most authoritative bodies, whose website draws more than 20 million hits a month. It describes a living master as one who has the rare talent, experience and expertise to create great humanistic works of art that a seemingly executed with effortless perfection.

Hanley uses the rare goldpoint technique, using a 24 carat gold tip on specially prepared paper. It is a system that was used in the 1500s by such greats at Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael, but which had been lost to the world for hundreds of years, until rediscovered by Hanley. 

His works are some of the most sought-after in the world today.

* The Two Masters Art Exhibition, July 6-9, Morpeth Art Gallery, l0am to 5pm daily, admission free.