Artist Statement
My art focus is the exploration of form in the landscape and the contrasting man-made and natural forces that combine to sculpt that form.
I seek to:
– Reflect a strong personal authenticity whilst learning from the past
– Incorporate research and experimentation
– Develop a palpable sense of form, depth and space
Being raised on a farm and subsequently educated and worked as a geologist, the landscape and its various interpretations (including the political battleground) can’t help but inspire and inform my work.
In 1998 I took up painting as a watercolourist and in 2005 completed a Diploma of Visual Art at the Melbourne CAE. From 2005-2010 I worked from Appleton Street Studios, Richmond, Victoria. I have exhibited regularly in Mebourne and been a finalist in several major art prizes , most recently the 2012 John Leslie Prize and the 2013 Glover Prize.
My recent work has engaged with regional Australia and the impact of European settler culture on the Australian landscape. Within this context I am also exploring the dominant influence of American and European painters from the 20th century on Australian landscape-painting. I regularly travel to directly observe the Australian landscape as well as studying the European painting tradition.
Art Curriculum Vitae
Place and Date of Birth
Brisbane, Australia 1947
Education
2010 Advanced Professional Art Studies CAE Melbourne
2005 Diploma of Visual Art CAE Melbourne
1972 Ph D Geology University of Queensland
Solo Exhibitions
2018 Art and Life bsg Gallery Melbourne
2017 Deserted bsg Gallery Melbourne
2016 Juxtaposed birds bsg Gallery Melbourne
2015 Juxtaposed Firestation Print Studio Melbourne
2014 Surreal Voyage Carbon Black Gallery Melbourne
2013 Reinvented Landscapes Carbon Black Gallery Melbourne
2012 Blocks Carbon Black Gallery Melbourne
2011 Above and Below the Horizon Firestation Print Studio Melbourne
2010 Southern Ports Kozminsky Level1 Melbourne
2008 Glacial Landscapes Kozminsky Level 1 Melbourne
2007 Rocky Landscapes bsg Gallery Melbourne
2006 Earthworks Artholes Gallery Melbourne
2003 Travelling North Doncaster and Templestowe Artist Society
Selected Group Shows
2014, 2015 New Surrealisms bsg Melbourne
2012 Inside-Outside Firestation Print Studio Melbourne
2012, 2014, 2015 Marios Melbourne
2011 Plain Air Firestation Print Studio Melbourne
2009 Ruby Gap Stephen McLaughlin Melbourne
2009 Kozminsky Art Melbourne’09
2009 Ice Continent Pigment Gallery
2008 bsg Art Sydney
2006 Appleton Street Studios Art Melbourne’06
2005 Fusion 45 Downstairs Melbourne
1999 Chemdex Art Initiative San Francisco
Awards
2018 Winner Local Content Prize Bacchus Marsh Art Show
2013 Finalist Glover Prize Tasmania
2012 Finalist John Leslie Art Prize-Sale Regional Gallery
2011 Winner-The Acquisitive Grow West Landcare Award -Bacchus Marsh
2005-2016 Finalist ANL Maritime Art prize
2010 Finalist Calleen Art Award –Cowra Regional Gallery
2007-10 Finalist con.ceit-the Corangamarah Art Prize
2012 2008 Finalist Norvill Art Prize- Murrurundi
2007 Finalist City of Whyalla Art Prize
2005 Finalist Heysen Prize Hahndorf
2003 Best in show Doncaster and Templestowe Artist Society
2001 Very Highly Commended Royal Melbourne Show
Residencies and collections
2008 Theme Polar Arts Program Antarctic Visual Artist Residency
Private Collections Australia, USA, UK, Germany, and Canada