West Torrens Art Prize 2020

 2020 has certainly been a difficult year with the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in the cancellation of many anticipated visual arts events. However, one of the few major art competitions that continued to somehow find a way through the difficulties was the West Torrens Art Prize. 

This years exhibition explored the theme of 'a sustainable future', which was particularly appropriate with the increased focus on the environment and the impact of mankind upon it. The finalist exhibition, which was held at the West Torrens Auditorium Gallery, revealed a wide variety of approaches to the theme and once again the standard was excellent.

I was certainly very pleased to included as a finalist, but even more delighted to be announced as the overall winner of the 2020 prize with my piece 'Solar Reflections'.

The painting evolved from a memory of flying into Adelaide over the rooftops of Torrensville and observing the increased emergence of solar panels across the various buildings in the area . What eventually emerged was a stylised yet reflective self-portrait set on top of a traditional bungalow, with a panoramic view across local suburbs with the city centre in the distance. My aim was to somehow convey a sense of recognition of the past, while expressing hope for the possibilities of a more sustainable future.

                                                    presentation of the award by West Torrens Mayor Michael Coxon

Welcome to Vineland

 It has now been 12 months since the opening of 'Studio Meadows' Gallery and it has certainly provided me with an exciting, interesting, satisfying and challenging year. Thank you to all those who took the time to search me out, both locals and visitors to the Clare Valley. I have met some wonderful people who all have been extremely supportive and encouraging. Of course no one could have predicted the emergence of COVID-19 and the impact it would have on all small businesses, but we have remained positive with the thought that some sort of normality would eventually resume. Thankfully we are open once again and the visitors are returning.

For me a 12 week shut down resulted in some some serious painting time with the aim of putting together a themed exhibition for the 2020 SALA (South Australian Living Artist) Festival, even though it wasn't definite that the event would actually go ahead. The aim was to visually reflect upon the grape growing environment in which I live. I sought to capture the beauty of this place, but also the the daily reality and the industrial process of the vineyard in an exhibition I titled 'Vineland'. 

The exhibition is open throughout August, but I certainly would welcome visitors to the gallery throughout the year ... just visit www.studiomeadows.com for details.

Gallery Open for Business

This week marked a very special milestone in my life as an artist. After many years of dreaming, thinking, planning and eventually constructing, my new studio/gallery was finally completed and opened to the public. It was almost 12 months since the decision was made to start the project and with the help of Ben the builder, Jules and I worked tirelessly throughout the year to build a new space that I could create and display my paintings. Like all builders, in the beginning we didn’t quite realise the many hurdles that would need to be overcome, but we finally got there!

After all that work, it seemed only fitting to launch the gallery with a reflective exhibition of works completed over the last four years, since our arrival in the beautiful Clare Valley…hence the name ‘Arrival’. The exhibition is part of the 2019 SALA (South Australian Living Artist) festival and is open the weekends 10am-4pm until August 25. Following SALA the studio gallery will be open every Friday and Saturday …please visit studiomeadows.com for details.

Exploring the REGION through Art

 I was thrilled to be invited to exhibit at a group show at Burra Regional Gallery for an exhibition simply entitled REGION. The exhibition would feature the works of four local artists but also include a broader selection of art pieces from the local art community. What particularly attracted me to the exhibition was the opportunity to explore the concept of ‘region’ and explore aspects of the environment that continues to inspire artists from the mid-north of South Australia.

In featuring my works for this exhibition, I found myself reflecting upon the term ‘region’ and how it might be interpreted within an art context.  There is of course the popular notion of a region being loosely defined as territories or sectors within the physical landscape, often denoted by certain recognisable features. Yet I would consider the term to be far less specific than that and one that has a distinctly softer edge.  For me the term ‘region’ suggests a comfortable sense of approximation that is determined by a certain degree of personal interpretation. Of course parallels could be made here with the creative process as well as the imperfect nature of art itself.  Each implies a lack of a definable boundary or a line to be crossed, with rather a more casual sense of being ‘thereabouts’.  This blurry notion of place allows for a natural and intuitive sense of appreciation. With this we permit ourselves the opportunity to respond instinctively to our environment and to transcend time through both recognition and memory.

The exhibition itself includes a lovely collection of pieces and much as I expected provides a vastly different interpretations of the theme. Each artist in their own unique way explores the the intrinsic qualities of the region through both time and space.

a 'salon' style presentation of my collection of works

'The Deepest Cut of All' - it is very apt that the Burra 'monster' mine is just
around the corner from the gallery

Watershed Art Prize 2019

It was a pleasure to be nominated once again as a finalist for the Watershed Art Prize. This is a unique exhibition of art works that aims to shine a spotlight upon the increasingly important issue of water conservation.  The exhibition has continued to be supported by the Salisbury City Council and sponsored by the International Centre of Excellence in Water Resource Management.

I was very pleased to be awarded third prize with my painting entitled ‘Banrock Reflections’. The piece was inspired by my first visit to Banrock Station and the beautiful wetlands of the north east region of South Australia.

As I discovered, the wetlands at Banrock Station are indeed very special. Emerging as an unexpected oasis amongst inhospitable surroundings, these scenic waterways attract a myriad of bird life. However, what I sought to capture in my painting was its tranquil sense of quiet and the beauty of flora interplaying with luminous light and reflections.

‘Wonderlands’ Exhibition 2018

It’s been a particularly busy year that has culminated in an exciting exhibition at the Chancery Lane Gallery in Adelaide. The exhibition is entitled ‘Wonderlands and is open from November 23 through to December 22. The show is a dual effort, as I have the pleasure of sharing the space with painter and ceramicist Michael Carney…an artist that we will no doubt hear much more about over the next few years. 

This exhibition includes a broad selection of works completed over the last 12 months, but for me this show provides a chance to take stock and reflect upon what has been achieved in my own painting practice over the last few years. Like all artists my focus and direction continues to change and evolve as I slowly shape my own path along this wonderful creative journey. So it was especially nice to see so many of the people who have continued to provide encouragement and support at the opening night.