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Artist Bio
I am a Melbourne based artist living in the outer eastern suburbs at the foothills of Mt Dandenong. I completed a Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) at Monash University in 1983 and a Master of Visual Arts, Monash University in 2005. My thesis for my Masters of Visual Arts was: Flowers and their symbolism throughout history. My thesis for my Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) was: The artists of angst.
The Expressionists, mainly Vincent Van Gogh, Chaim Soutine, Edvard Munch, Gabriele Munter and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner remain an inspiration. Also David Hockney’s vibrant, colourful still life, urban, portrait and landscape paintings resonate with me. My process is to connect with my subject matter in a direct and expressive, graphic way. The use of heightened colour and pattern are central to my art practice. My artworks are thoughtfully composed but are also intuitive and have a balance between meticulous detail and broad, sweeping brushstrokes. Anthropomorphic shapes and dramatic lighting are evident as well in my work.
Recently, my subject matter has been about people making their way home. These paintings have formed the series: ‘Heading home’ and are based on my observations of life in the street. They invite the viewer to engage in the narrative contained within the paintings. There is a liminal space between being out in the world and being safe in one’s dwelling. The journey can be joyous and uplifting but also full of hidden threats. The road signs and symbols are there to caution pedestrians and drivers but if followed, lead to a safe arrival.
I have had over twelve solo exhibitions and have been included in many group exhibitions ranging across Printmaking, Portraiture, Still Life and Landscape/Urban Landscape.
It has been a great honour to be a finalists in the 2010 Great Southern Portrait Prize, La Trobe Regional Gallery, South Gippsland; in 2019 the STILL National Still Life Prize, Yarrila Arts and Museum, Coffs Harbour; in 2019 the Lester Prize (for Portraiture), Art Gallery of Western Australia; in 2020 the John Leslie Prize (for Landscape) held at the Gippsland Art Gallery; in 2021 and 2022 the Tacit Still Life Prize, Collingwood; and the Omnia Art Prize 2026.
Autumn in the court
Acrylic on canvas – 2024
61 x 76.3 cm
