ARTIST STATEMENT
We all have hidden sides and secrets that no-one observes. Most of my artwork is created without thought for the initial result in mind. It emerged unconsciously, each mark’s energy dictating its creation. In many recent work ink was applied then washed away leaving traces and unexpected shadows.
Through a meditative process the artworks narrative are revealed and contemplated. It was only later that I understood its message which felt like an epiphany, deeply personal and at the same time universal. If you don’t look closely at the image its inner meaning is missed and only by searching the marks and colours can you find the scattered faces and human forms. Its composition is symbolic of the human soul, alchemy and the unseen energy we are aware of but remains a mystery. Its creation and the idea are one in the same.
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ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
I grew up in the leafy cool Queensland city of Toowoomba. Its cloud covered range and sharp cold winters inspired the vivid imagination of a child and a love of indoor pursuits. I have always drawn since I can remember and made lots of sculptures and constructions driving my mother mad with mess and cardboard all over the house. I received some positive attention from it too and having a reserved personality was excited that an ability to be creative was interesting to others. I spent my entire childhood writing numerous stories and imagining myself as a famous author or artist.
My head was full of dreams and romantic notions and I tried to make it come true. When I was around ten I received a prize for creating a children’s story book and was thrilled by my success. I went on to gain a further two first prizes for Children’s Book Week (still my favourite time of year) with the University of Southern Queensland to offer to be publish my story ‘Moonlight Dance’. My parents unfortunately turned down this offer because it was to be published in black and white and believed that only through colour would it be fully appreciated. They were right but all these years later it may have been an error of judgement. Even though this was a setback I was now certain that I was destined to be a children’s book writer and illustrator or possibly an artist.
Forty-five years later I have been genuinely surprised by the volume and continuity of the artworks I have created over that time. I can see that a child’s dream was realised and the story is visual and follows a path of colourful exploration. Deeply personal and soul bearing images remind me that being an artist is not a vocation but a need. The absolute love for seeing what image I could find next propelled me on a journey of discovery. On many occasions I questioned why I was doing what I couldn’t stop doing and reprimanded my lack of ability, absorption in folly and apparent focus on the impractical.
Self-actualisation is Maslow’s ‘Hierarchy of Needs’ highest level of human achievement. A university Post Graduate in Education made me aware of this fact. I sense I am one of the lucky few on this planet on history’s page that has had the opportunity to reach this incredible and ultimate state. I do not connect economic success with my success as an Artist. I do not care that I don’t hold sell out exhibitions that are slick and marketed. I just know the process of making and the moment by moment experience is the only thing that matters.
My work currently encompasses all that I have learned and experienced and primarily is spontaneous, probably has a strong narrative as I feel like a story teller.
ARTIST CV
ARTIST RESUME
Employment
2012 - present: Whitsunday Anglican School, Junior Art Teacher. Permanent/ full time
2010: Whitsunday Anglican School contract for 10 weeks. (Year 6-12 art teacher)
2009 - 2012: Relief and contracts as a teacher at various schools including Whitsunday Anglican School, Holy Spirit Catholic College, Mackay State High School, Pioneer State High School and North State High School
2003: Whitsunday Anglican School (Year 6, 7, 8 and 9 Art teacher)
1996 - 2012: Department of Education and Training (0.6 Art and Design teacher)
1996 - 2000: Queensland Department of Education, Mackay State High School (Year 8-12 Art teacher)
Awards:
2021: Mackay Art on Show 3rd Prize ‘The Fifth Ether’
2020: Paxton Portrait Prize Peoples Choice Award ‘The Pleasure an the Pain’
2018: Paxton Portrait Prize – 1st Prize for Drawing ‘Having a chat with Tim Allen’
2018: Mackay Art on Show 3rd Prize ‘Halfway Point’ judged by David Fairbairn
2017: Independent Education Union Art Award for Art Design 1st Prize ‘Monsoon’
2014: Independent Education Union Award for Art/Design 1st Prize ‘Unknown Ancestors’
1989: Winner of Logan City Art Award ‘Delilah and David in Heaven 2’ judged by GOMA Director Christopher Saines
1988: Finalist 'Mitchell Student Art Award', DDIAE, Toowoomba, QLD
Exhibitions:
2021: Zart National online exhibition for teachers ‘The Fifth Ether’
2021: Mackay Art on Show
2020: Paxton Portrait Prize
2020: Mackay Art on Show
2018: Paxtons Portrait Prize
2018: Mackay Art on Show
2017: Independent Education Union Art Award for Art Design
2017: Mackay Art on Show
2017: Postcard exhibition at Artspace Mackay.
2016: ‘Depth’ Solo exhibition at Celebre Gallery, Whitsunday Anglican School
2015: Mackay Art on Show
2014: Independent Education Union Award
2013: Mackay Art on Show
2012: Mackay Art on Show
2011: ‘Reverie’ solo exhibition at Ferns Gallery, Tafe, Mackay.
2011: ‘Postcards’ Artspace Mackay Artwork purchased by the Mackay City Council ‘Three Graces’ Artist book
2010: ‘Art on Show’ Mackay
2009: ‘Art on Show’ Mackay
2009: ‘Subject Matters’ Postcards exhibition, Artspace, Mackay
2009: Portrait commission.
2009: ‘Fragments’ solo exhibition – Celeber Gallery, Whitsunday Anglican School.
2008: Artist Book Forum, Artspace Mackay
2006: Artist Book Forum Artspace Mackay
2004: Grapevine art exhibition, Mackay Library Gallery
2000: Airlie Beach Lagoons project. Mackay City Council art commission.
1999: ‘Traces’ solo exhibition at Doggett Street Galleries, Newstead (RADF grant recipient).
1999: Co- Judge of Ministers Art Award, Mackay, QLD
1999: Cultural Sister City Exchange Exhibition Mitsura -Japan
1998: Artist Book Fair (Graham Galleries-Brisbane)
1998: ‘Two or more Tiers’ solo exhibition, Mackay City Library
1998: Churchie Art Award Brisbane
1998: Sarina Art Award
1997: Logan Art Award
1997: Now Painters bARTleme Galleries Brisbane
1993: ‘Queensway ‘92’ Solo exhibition after being to Europe,Toowoomba City Art Gallery
1993: ‘Fearless Project’ (Progo Ho Senzapaura) International Contemporary Mail Art, Arestudio, Bergamo, Italy.
1992: ‘Venus’Boulder Lodge Lodge Gallery, Fortitude Gallery, Brisbane
1992: Atomic Art verses the Smog Monster, Space Plentitude, Brisbane, QLD
1991: Suncorp Art Awards, School of Art Building, Brisbane, QLD
1991: Downlands Art Show, Toowoomba, QLD
1991: AA REAL Fur Biennial Fringe Festival, Mcwhirters Artspace, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, QLD
1990: Specimen, An Installation by Atomic Art, Artworkers Alliance regional Artist Space, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, QLD
1990: ‘Where Are They Now’ Queensland Cultural Auditorium, Brisbane, QLD – this exhibition compliments a book of the same name which documents all artists involved in this exhibition.
1990: Vache – For Aids, AGLASSOFWATER Project, Site Gallery, Brisbane, QLD
1990: Atomic Art presents a group show, The Basement Café, Metro Arts, Brisbane, QLD
1990: Distintegration, Atomic Art Group Show, the Basement Café, Metro Arts, Brisbane, QLD
1990: Image Making, Image Breaking Pomegranate Women in the Arts Festival Exhibition, La Boite Theatre Initiative, Gallery 4 Metro Arts, Brisbane, Qld
1990: ‘!’ Atomic Art Core Members Show, Gallery 4 Metro Arts, Brisbane, QLD
1990: A Preview of things to come, Atomic Art Group Show, The Basement Café, Metro Arts
1990: Group Show, Savode at St Johns, Brisbane, QLD
1990: Visions from the Night of Tales. Toowoomba Art Gallery, Toowoomba, QLD (two person show with Michael Hibbard)
1990: The Emprorium Competition, The Emporuim Gallery, Toowoomba, QLD
1990: Stanthorpe Art Award
1990: Abadare Art Prize, Ipswich, QLD
1990: Churchie Art Award, Brisbane, QLD
1990: ‘Night Visions’ Solo exhibition Young artist’s gallery, West End, Brisbane
1989: Stanthorpe Art Award
1989: Churchie Art Award, Brisbane, QLD
1989: Logan Art Award, Brisbane, Qld
Collections:
Brisbane City Council ‘Women floating’
Mackay City Council ‘Three Graces’
Mackay City Council ‘Fortuitous’ donated as part of Postcard exhibition
Logan City Council ‘Delilah and David in Heaven’
University of Southern Queensland
Education:
1985: Certificate 3 in Art and Design, Mt Gravatt TAFE.
1989: Diploma of Arts (Creative), University of Southern Queensland
1993: Bachelor of Arts Degree (Creative), University of Southern Queensland
1996: Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary), University of Southern Queensland.
2000: Master of Arts (Qualifying), James Cook University
2002: BSZ40198 Certificate 1V in Assessment and Workplace, Mackay TAFE
2011: Certificate 1V in Training and Assessment, Mackay TAFE.
2012: TAE Certificate 1V in Training and Assessment, Mackay TAFE
Work:
1996 - 2012: Department of Education and Training (0.6 Art and Design teacher)
1996 - 2000: Queensland Department of Education, Mackay State High School (Year 8-12 Art teacher).
2003: Whitsunday Anglican School (Year 6, 7, 8 and 9 Art teacher).
2010: Whitsunday Anglican School contract for 10 weeks. (Year 6-12 art teacher).
2012 - present: Whitsunday Anglican School, Junior Art Teacher. Permanent/ full time
2009-2012: Relief and contracts as a teacher at various schools including Whitsunday Anglican School, Holy Spirit Catholic College, Mackay State High School, Pioneer State High School and North State High School.