Stirring the Cosmic Pot – Graeme Dunstan Portrait

Stirring the Cosmic Pot

Painted by Australian artist Maxx Maxted

1999

This striking and evocative portrait by British-born artist Maxx Maxted captures Graeme Dunstan, widely recognised as one of the original elders of the Aquarius movement and a seminal figure in Nimbin’s cultural history.

Rendered with a dramatic interplay of light and shadow, the work demonstrates Maxted’s confident use of chiaroscuro. The luminous highlights draw the viewer into the scene, illuminating both the figure and the symbolic circular form before him. The gesture of stirring suggests ritual, creation, and the release of unseen energies — themes deeply resonant with the spirit of the Age of Aquarius.

Maxted’s layered brushwork and restrained, atmospheric palette position the painting between figurative portraiture and visionary symbolism. The composition conveys both psychological depth and metaphysical intrigue, reflecting the artist’s long-standing engagement with alternative culture and philosophical inquiry.

More than a portrait, Stirring the Cosmic Pot stands as a cultural artefact — a visual reflection of a movement that reshaped Nimbin into an epicentre of creativity, community, and progressive thought.

About the Artist

Maxx Maxted is a British-born artist and former illustrator whose creative career began in Melbourne before evolving into a sustained presence within the alternative arts community of northern New South Wales. Over decades, Maxted became a respected contributor to exhibitions, festivals, and collaborative cultural projects.

His work is characterised by strong tonal contrasts, expressive brushwork, and symbolic undercurrents. Drawing from classical techniques while embracing contemporary themes, Maxted’s paintings often explore the intersection of human experience, perception, and inner life.

Collector Context

This image reflects an important chapter of Australian counterculture history, linking art, philosophy, and the enduring creative identity of Nimbin.

Did You Know?

The Aquarius Festival, held in Nimbin in 1973, is widely credited with transforming the small rural town into the heart of Australia’s counter-culture movement. Co-directed by Graeme Dunstan and Johnny Allen, the Festival celebrated alternative lifestyles, sustainability, artistic expression, and communal living.

Thousands attended, and many participants chose to remain in the region, helping to establish the creative, environmentally conscious, and socially progressive identity for which Nimbin is now internationally known.