Colin Palethorpe - Australian Artist
Buttress, Oil on Canvas

Artist Statement

My present art focus is the exploration of form in the landscape and the contrasting man-made and geological/natural forces which combine to sculpt that form. I am also investigating how painting in Australia particularly “privileges” the landscape genre in a heroic/monumental way.

I am seeking to:

  • Reflect a strong personal authenticity
  • Incorporate research and experimentation
  • Develop a palpable sense of form, depth and space

Being raised on a farm and subsequently educated as a geologist, the landscape and its various interpretations (including the political battleground) can’t help but inform my work. I am seeking to develop further the concept of the European derived 19th-20C neo-romantic natural “heroic-timeless” sculptured landscape of the past and contrast it with manmade “ alienating” sculptured forms of today. Experimenting with real, captured and remembered images and objects, I hope to develop my own language to communicate a personal vision that touches a chord with other people.

In 1998 I took up painting as an amateur watercolourist, but after several years of workshops, classes and several “commendeds” at local art shows, I decided to pursue my art in a professional manner and to build a contemporary painting-based visual art practice.

In 2003 I took a critical step in this direction and enrolled in the Melbourne CAE Diploma of Visual Art which was completed in 2005. In October 2005 I took up a full-time studio within Appleton Street Studios, Richmond, Victoria.

 

Curriculum Vitae

Place and date of birth: Brisbane, Australia 1947
Education: B.Sc. (Hons) University of Queensland 1969
Ph.D. Geology University of Queensland 1972
Diploma of Visual Art CAE Melbourne 2005 (Painting major, Printmaking
Minor)

Solo Exhibitions:  2008 Glacial Landscapes Kosminsky Level 1, Melbourne
2007 Rocky Landscapes bsg Melbourne
2006 Earthworks Artholes Gallery Melbourne
2006 Barbizon to the Bush Chez Olivier Gallery Melbourne
2004 Special Places Café Julia Gallery Melbourne
2003 Travelling North Doncaster and Templestowe Artist Society

Selected Group Shows: 2008 ANL Maritime Art Prize
2008 Norvill Art Prize
2008 conceit ‘08 - The Corangamarah Art Prize
2008 bsg Art Sydney '08
2008 Exquisite Palette - St. Luke, Melbourne
2007 ANL Maritime Art Prize
2007 City of Whyalla Art Prize
2007 conceit ‘07 - The Corangamarah Art Prize
2006 Art Melbourne ‘06
2006 ANL Maritime Art Prize
2005 Fusion 45 Downstairs Melbourne
2005 Heysen Prize
2005 ANL Maritime Art Prize
2004 Nostri Belle Arti Spectrum Gallery Melbourne
1999 Chemdex Art Initiative San Francisco

Awards: 2008 Theme Polar Arts Program Antarctic Visual Artist Residency
2006, 2003 Highly Commended St Kevin’s College Art Show
2003 Best in show, Doncaster and Templestowe Artist Society
2003 Highly commended Loyola College Art Show
2002 Highly Commended Ivanhoe Art and Craft Show
2002 Highly Commended Knox Art Show
2001 Very Highly Commended, Royal Melbourne Show

Collections: Private collections, Australia, USA, Germany, UK and Canada