QRAA 2012 Gallery - The Essential Character of Queensland

2012

Original archival pigmnet print on Stonehenge Fine Art Paper

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

The Glasshouse Mountains stand as a dominating presence, creating landmarks not only for the early explorers but also for modern day travellers. Significant to the indigenous peoples, they are powerful, and seeped in mythology. Their permanence reminds us of the brevity of life and geographic significance of the land we are part off. Their prominence on the horizons of my childhood are forever preserved in time.

2011

Embroidery on canvas

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

The 150 year old ghost gum known as the 'Tree of Knowledge' has been a focal point for the down of Barcaldine since the shearers' strike of 1891. Poisoned in 2006 by persons unknown, the iconic tree has since been immortalised within Barcaldine's striking Memorial for the Tree of Knowledge. I have tried in this artwork- by focusing on one section of the heavily textured surface, to create my own tribute to the grand old tree.

2011

Local clay

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

This piece of Queensland was dug from  the earth in South East Queensland. It was forged with rock from the local creek, surface enhanced with Iron Oxide and glazed with Clear Crackle, rich in Silica.

2012

Oil pastel on canvas

South West Qld & Darling Downs

Artist Statement

In looking back over the years, my lifetime passion and interest seems to have been locked into that of the magic and mystery of things growing. It was inevitable that my art images have always been inspired by that magic. On one side, I am surrounded by the D'Aguilar Range of mountains and on the other, the Great Dividing Range. The skies here are a vast blue canvas and the land unfolds in equally vast terms. There are a special group of trees dotted here and there, usually standing lonely and high on an empty hill. To me, these lone survivors stand as potent symbols of the hopes and struggles of the early pioneers and appear to have gathered around them remnants of those times past; pieces of fences, stumps, rusted rain tanks and such. I see the true icons of Australian history.

2012

Acrylic on canvas hard board

Townsville

Artist Statement

"Water, blood and spirit will testify" (1 John 5:8). This painting represents a strong commitment to a Christian faith and the spiritual force that gives character to this nation and state. It depicts small glimpses of the bush, the stock-men, the rodeo, the reef, the State Of Origin, the military, Search and Rescue, the orchestra and figurative dance. The picture is a blurred and blotted landscape. A battle scene unfolds, which then becomes the character of mateship and flood rescue. The battered face of Jesus appears. This is the character of Queensland and this is a part of the Great Southern Land of the Holy Spirit forever.

2012

Oil and pastel on canvas

Cairns & Far North Qld

Artist Statement

This artwork originates from my fascination with 'Google Earth' and how it gives us a unique view of the landscape. This view of the Normanby River in Lake Field National Park running into the Coral Sea, encapsulates the amazing beauty of the Cape. It is a place of exceptional beauty, bounded by mangroves teaming with life, with silica white sands and fringed by coral reefs. A wilderness that is deservedly preserved for future generations in this unique National Park.

2012

Oil and acrylic on canvas

South West Qld & Darling Downs

Artist Statement

This work is concerned with exploring both the traditional and historical context within painting. It traces the current discourse of painting to identify its relevance as an important medium within a climate of mass information. Digital technology has been used to enhance and layer geometric abstraction and colour field genres to create aerial landscapes. This has been combined with traditional methods of application to create different modes of reality within the canvas. The varying colours and topographic nature of the work addresses the ideas that exist within the essential characters of Queensland and its landscape. Furthermore, it investigates McLean's study of the relevance of painting within a milieu of new media.

2012

Silver Gelatin Print

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

While taking photos for my portfolio on the Sunshine Coast I noticed this abandoned shack on a remote road in the Hinterland as I was driving past. The palm tree behind the old rusty shack had a true Queensland feeling to it, so I stopped the car and made one exposure with my 35mm camera. Later that day I developed the black and white film at home, before taking the negative into the darkroom to make the print by hand. In my eyes, the final print represents an essential character of Queensland.

2012

Acrylic on canvas

South West Qld & Darling Downs

Artist Statement

The channel country is Queensland's outback drainage system. It is part of our history, an area that has sustained and challenged aboriginal tribes, explorers and cattlemen alike. Rain, in any part of the channel, can benefit the whole. As the water travels southwards from the far North to Lake Eyre, the swollen channels spill out over dry soil bringing the desert to life. We are travelling between Birdsville and Bedourie. Our GPS map shows endless interweaving channels of the Georgina River running parallel to straight, red desert dunes. The season is good, the sand hills are flowering, the channels are full.  I paint as we travel, a deep plastic box of paints on my knee, a roll of canvas and foam core 'easel' propped on the dash. Quick drying acrylics are good, and I use the vehicle's bumps and rolls to advantage as there is not much bitumen out here.

2012

Pigment print on fine art photographic rag

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

The flora specimen contained within the vial stands as a marker of the delicate dichotomy between fragility and resilience. It speaks to us in terms of both nature and humanity, revealing the deep connection and shared vulnerability between both realms. During recent floods in Queensland, nature and humans were intimately connected: experiencing first hand the destructive power of nature, we as humans were vulnerable. This vulnerability, however, soon turned to strength with communities pulling together to re-build both lives and homes. Nature also suffered from the devastation, and continues to be vulnerable. The specimen depicted is a Queensland endangered species known as the Melalucea Irbyana. Like us, as an individual it is vulnerable, but with a strong community to support it, it will be resilient.
 

2012

Acrylic on canvas

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

One of the icons of rural Queensland is the Akubra hat. This wide brimmed hat is worn by both farmers and townsfolk as a protection from sun and rain, and has become a part of the Australian culture. Different styles of hats are chosen by their wearers and, after a while, the hats take on distinctive shapes and character. Much of my work examines the variation within sameness, while also paying homage to the traditions of painting, concerns of colour, composition and pattern. While the inspiration for my work was the hats, I enjoy exploring the relationships between the people depicted. What are they doing and where are they going?

2012

Oil, watercolour and permanent marker on canvas

Mount Isa & North West

Artist Statement

Moving here was a life saving chance that was given to me by my Uncle and Aunty, which is something I needed to show as it's highly important. I worked on a station near Bedourie when I first shifted to Queensland, with my Grandparents, cousin Daniel and Uncle Luke where it's serene and eery dessert country. On holidays up the coast, we drove through the Daintree Rainforest; an amazingly beautiful experience. Queensland is a beautiful state with much variation; something I wanted to capture. I painted the three elements onto my back in a tattoo like way, to show the personal connection I have with these experiences and how they've strengthened me. On the skyline there's the city scape of Darwin, where I'm from, and Mount Isa, where I am. I am looking at Mount Isa because I am looking forward to my future and everything it has to offer.

2011

Earth, acrylic and oil paint on canvas

South West Qld & Darling Downs

Artist Statement

This canvas was buried in the Toowoomba earth. I felt the history coming from the earth as I painted the history of this place. In 1843 Tabletop was the site of a battle between white settlers and the Jagera people of the Lockyer. Mark Copeland's book 'One Hour More Daylight', gives one settler's account that, "Given one hour more daylight we would have killed them all". In  Reminiscences of early Queensland, Tom Petrie described spirits leaving the bodies of Indigenous Australians when they were shot. This is the hidden history of not just the Toowooomba area but many places in Australia. I wanted to record this aspect of my location.

2011

Acrylic on canvas

Townsville

Artist Statement

Queensland is made up of people from all walks of life.  The quintessential characteristics found within most Queenslanders, are qualities such as: honesty, integrity, optimism, larrikinism, humour and the ability to laugh at ones self. My Dad is a typical Queenslander. He served in the Vietnam War and was an engineer in the Army for 31 years. He married twice, has five children and is the most colourful person I know. Vietnam War, was an engineer in the Army for 31 years, he married twice, has five children and is the most colourful person I know.

2011

Oil on canvas

Cairns & Far North Qld

Artist Statement

For me, the essential character of Queensland is all about our environment, our surrounds, why we are here and as an artist, how we respond. Painting from nature, my paintings are engaging, multi-layered and seductive, like the veiled colours and symbols of the rainforest. Each painting evokes the magical presence of nature, having a tactile presence on several levels. My belief is that the rainforest should not be 'out there' but should loom up close to us all to be touched, felt, tasted and smelled. Every space, form and layer in the paintings seductively calls us to trace their edges, making them palpable and material to touch. The space forms a lively whole, a dense surface with complex and symphonic movement. Within the rainforest there are the essential forms of trees, rocks and water pools that evoke human emotion and compel visual poetry within the paintings.

2012

Oil on canvas

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

Within this painting I am speaking on behalf of the whales. As they put their beauty on display on their annual migration past Hervey Bay, one wonders how anyone can slaughter them. In the artwork, they are pleading to the Japanese to allow them to be free and come past Queensland so that they can enjoy our warmer waters and we can enjoy their majestic beauty.

2012

Pen on paper

South West Qld & Darling Downs

Artist Statement

As a beach girl at heart, the 'Shifting Sands'  drawings were initially my response to the micro-topography of sandbanks at low tide. They are an exploration of pattern. Once noticed, pattern can be seen everywhere, and although it can be decorative and dazzling, for me it also has meaning. Pattern physically demonstrates relationships, the way things come together and the interconnectedness of all things physical and spiritual.

2012

Lino etching on paper

South West Qld & Darling Downs

Artist Statement

This work refers to the Queensland landscape and historic man made events, in particular, the felling of trees to clear land to grow food. The 'Fragments of Landscape' series began life as frottages taken from large, old and weathered tree stumps and logs on the farm, and have now been distilled into these prints. They map place and of memory. As a symbol for current man made events, my work has raised the question - what will be left for those who come after?

2011

Pastel on Colourfix paper

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

The Brisbane River has been an Icon of Queensland for generations and also in the media in recent times for the flood disasters. Just as Queensland and Queenslanders shined during the difficult times, I love the way this image shows the Brisbane River glowing in the dark. Even though the river caused so much devastation to so many people, the assistance from the beloved "Mud Army" given freely and from afar, lifted the spirits of those who were affected. Here the river is once again at peace and the memory of the floods will be just a reflection in time to come. Our hearts will ever glow with the thoughts of the many people of different backgrounds and cultures, joining together during such devastating times. Their efforts lifted the spirits of those who were most affected and forged a pride in Queensland that will not be forgotten.

2012

Digital print on canvas

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

Driving back from Bunya National Park, I was amazed by this beautiful bottle tree all alone, overlooking the cotton fields. We are going through so much change, especially here in Queensland. I think it is trees, these great survivors that represent our history. She is a beautiful tree guarding over her cotton field, alone and majestic, what stories she could tell. I wanted to keep my artwork very simple and strong.

2012

Acrylic on canvas

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

Semi-abstract and in the hard-edge style, 'Happily Just Cruising' represents the great Australian iconic of our lifestyle, culture and beaches- kite surfing. It is a growing sport and this painting represents one of the three best kite-surfing destinations in the world, located at the mouth of the Noosa River, known as the 'Spit'. We are lucky enough to have this little part of paradise on our doorstep as the Australian kite surfing industry is growing daily here.

2012

Mixed media on canvas

South West Qld & Darling Downs

Artist Statement

The beautiful Carnarvon Gorge in Queensland is an amazing place where time has stood still. The hidden secrets of Indigenous art, burial grounds and refreshing water holes are scattered throughout this ancient, rugged land. I walked through the land late in the afternoon when the sun was setting everything aglow, and I remembered the people who lived there, who were part of this landscape, hunting and living off this mighty land. I felt honoured that I had the opportunity to see this unique environment. I observed in awe, appreciating the ruggedness of this landscape and yet the fragility of this great land and then the realization of the fragility also of myself, in such an environment of contrasts. 'Spirit Land' addresses the theme because the Carnarvon Gorge National Park is one of the states icons unique in flora and fauna where everything does literally, 'reach for the sky'.

2012

Satin reversible tabard, machine stitched, manipulated, cut and free machined

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

The reversible tabard gives that golden glow with the inner lining of satin cutwork, exemplifying the three dimensional texture of the fruit. The stand up collar represents the top of the pineapple and gives the wearer a feeling of iconic uniqueness.

2012

Digital video

Mackay Whitsundays

Artist Statement

Queensland beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world. People from all ages and all walks of life gather at these beaches each summer to swim and surf.  However, the sea can also be cruel. During the summer months there is not only the threat of dangerous marine life, but also numerous drownings each year. Fortunately, these accidents are kept to a minimum because of the hard work of our Queensland Lifesavers.  'Breath' focuses on a professional life guard  enjoying the freedom of harnessing the waves after a long day of patrol. It is an ambiguous tale that dances with colour: a painting in motion, along with the addition of ominous audio emphasises both the beauty and terror that our oceans can bring. This art video is dedicated to the lifesavers of our state who are essential characters of Queensland.

2012

Ultrachrome K3 ink on pearl photo rag with recycled wooden frame

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

A Place to Call Home explores the history of the early settler. The broken down house of former glories symbolises the presence of early pioneers in our region. We are reminded of the triumphs and struggles that are faced between forces of nature and the man made. The timber from the building recycled to the frame for 'A Place to Call Home' echoes the history that breathes through the walls, the history of our pioneers.

2012

Paper cut

South West Qld & Darling Downs

Artist Statement

The essential character of Queensland lies within its diversity of landscapes.  Deserts, agricultural land, coastline, rainforests and cities each define Queensland in their unique aspects. I chose to create a work that reflected the desert landscape, most likely a reflection of a recent relocation to rural Queensland. The dry earth became a heavy feature of Queensland landscape especially in the recent drought of the last decade. The last few years of rain has certainly enabled the earth to soak up its natural health again, demonstrating the delicate balance in nature that we have no control over. This fragility in nature is interpreted in the fine lines of a paper-cut, mimicking the cracks in the earth and creating a pattern of interwoven lines and channels.

2012

Oil on linen

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

Mt Tibrogargan is the second largest of the rhyolitic volcanic plugs left from volcanic activity from 25-27 million years ago, that dominates the landscape of The Glass House Mountains National Park. According to an Aboriginal legend, Mt Tibrogargan is the Father and some of the other mountains are said to be his family. From where I live, it is almost impossible not to catch a glimpse of Tibrogargan at some stage during my day. I only realize how dominating this mountain is when I can still spy him some fifty kilometres away. Standing under Mt Tibrogargan, I wanted to capture his dominance and portray the beauty and magic that I feel when I am in his presence. The colour of his face is so opposite in hue, to the encompassing bush and vivid sky, but somehow the fusion is perfect.

2012

Oil on canvas

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

The paintings I create start from an immediate interaction with the canvas. During this interaction, judgments are made in a cyclical dialogue with the images and spaces that are revealed. The marks made are informed through a process of ongoing reflection. The paintings do not depict objective reality, but a subjective narrative which the objects or events arouse.

2012

Tapestry weaving applied on wood and mirror

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

Whilst travelling in Queensland, I began to love rural architecture, especially the small churches and community halls of the little towns and villages. These were once important icons, the essential fabric of the community. Now they are so often neglected or demolished. I have used ancient tapestry weaving techniques to show this saintly figure, offering the opportunity for reflection with the eye in the mirror. The eye is an ancient symbol of protection, wielded here by the saint to guard the community. This unconventional use of tapestry suggests the possibility of adapting old ways to new styles of living. By recognising the value of heritage architecture, this work seeks to inspire the continuing appreciation of the built environment.

2011          

Paperclay slip on wire

South West Qld & Darling Downs

Artist Statement

When it comes to how we live, I would say 'freely'. But as the need for money and personal comfort arises, we are selling the thing most valuable to us, our land. Freedom for sale is about how I feel when I hear about the recent expansion of the CSG industry and the possible damage it might do to our waterways and local wildlife. Living in the largest inland City in Australia, I am very connected to the country and it's people, and want it to be left for the better for future generations.

2011

3-Colour Etching and hand finished

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

In 2011, Queensland was devastated by terrible floods. Once I saw Queensland in this light, I was reminded of other events in the Old Testament and felt a need to visually commemorate them. In this print the Ark represents the people ready to assist those affected, while the dove symbolises the restoration of order. The ark and the dove are presented against a background of vigorous growth. With the cessation of the inundation, the print represents the paradise that Queensland, and in particular the Sunshine Coast, can be.

2012

Acrylic skins on plexiglass, silicon, wire and sugar

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

"In the eyes of a child you will see the world as it should be," author unknown.  This cube encapsulates the essential character of Queensland as seen through the eyes of the artist as a child on a holiday trip to Sarina, North Queensland in 1975. It depicts the field, the harvesting and transporting of the cane and the towering Fig tree. Hovering in the heart of this cube is a piece of sugar, the defining moment of being a Queenslander in a simpler age where "one of the biggest trees in Queensland" was something to be marvelled at.

2012

Shell and metal assemblage

Cairns & Far North Qld

Artist Statement

When we moved to Queensland, one of my new friends, knowing my interest in insects, gave me The New Chum's Farewell to Queensland, a poem by Stockman Jack Parveez. It included the lines, "Queensland thou art a land of pests, for flies and fleas you cannot rest...". This series of flies, collectively 'Diptera Perlaria', derives its name from the mother-of-pearl wings. Each of the flies depicts a separate species whose name reflects its physical characteristics. They are, from left to right, Diptera Perlaria Lauditoria, Flindersoidea, Ornata, Munda and Globosa. These iconic characters are much larger than life size but, fortunately, they neither bite nor get in your eyes or ears.

2012

Dry point etching on paper

Mackay Whitsundays

Artist Statement

Entanglement is a depiction of naturally occurring forms in the environment. It is not anything in particular, however it is a representation of many naturally occurring things in nature, such as currents in a flowing creek or entanglements of plant life. It is all based on the viewer's perception of the work to determine what it represents for them.

2011

Assemblage

Wide Bay Burnett

Artist Statement

I have defined our local crocodile farm, Koorana Crocodile Farm, as an essential character of Queensland, or at least a central character of my local area. Koorana is a working farm, growing crocodiles, offering leather products from crocodile skin, educational tours and a restaurant providing visitors with a taste of crocodile meat. The central image in the shrine is a solar plate etching of a crocodile eye.  Within the eye is the face of one of the manager/owners. Other objects depict aspects of the farm: rusty wire and a piece of tree root depict the crocodile enclosures and the crocodile ornament and treated skin depict the tour and retail aspects. The crocodile egg membrane symbolises the breeding season and new life, in the form of baby crocodiles. Frogs and weeds immortalised in resin symbolise the balance that crocodiles bring to the riverine life.

2012

Oil and beeswax on linen

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

Canaipa Passage is a body of water separating Russell Island from North Stradbroke Island in southern Moreton Bay. This is the view from my studio on Russell Island looking up the passage. Canaipa Point on Russell Island is shaded in the foreground while the sand hills and vegetation of Stradbroke Island rises behind it, lit by the evening setting sun. Many people who have enjoyed sailing or boating on Moreton Bay, choose to retire to Russell Island, where they can keep their boats moored close-by in the many sheltered bays. This is a view which can only be enjoyed by people living on Russell Island, or by those travelling up and down the passage between Moreton Bay and the Southport Broadwater.

2012

Acrylic on canvas board

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

A Joyful expression of people working on Queensland farmlands.

2012

Indigo dyed bamboo cloth, hessian, muslin, jute, heat set silk, fishing line, steel bolts on board

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

Regular visits to the Lamington and Noosa National Parks have given me much inspiration to develop a body of work which is site responsive to these amazing and ancient rainforests. I feel these rainforests of South East Queensland are the most important areas of natural environment, which require our appreciation and protection. Historical and cultural research into ancient materials such as hessian, silk and linen have contributed to my choice in materials, which not only express the textures present throughout the forest, but also reflect the longevity, yet fragility of the natural flora and fauna. The use of ancient processes such as indigo/shibori dyeing, demonstrate my connection with the process, creating timeless representations of nature whilst also building delicate forms.

2011

Acrylic on canvas

South West Qld & Darling Downs

Artist Statement

I have explored the essential character of Queensland by reflecting on its unique landscape. I have lived in the coastal town of Gladstone for seventeen years and the beach has played an important part of my life. I find myself torn between two opposing forces, the pessimist who tends to dominate my personality and the optimist hidden beneath looking for a way to escape. The anxiety created by this way of thinking has become the inspiration behind my art making. My work revolves around this central idea of duality. In depicting the Gladstone landscape I was confronted by these two opposing concepts. The beauty and tranquillity of the islands that exist only a short distance from a industry-heavy mainland. These beautiful pools of colour have been created using harsh dangerous materials such a bitumen and varnish. I wanted these to reflect the fragility of life and beauty in the harbour.

2012

Acrylic on canvas

South West Qld & Darling Downs

Artist Statement

The character of Queensland is an intriguing one. On the one hand we are relaxed and laid back, living a lifestyle and making our commitments and responsibilities work around this. On the other hand we are competitive and proud; fiercely defensive of our way of life and achievements. 'Sunset At The Beach House' captures our relaxed lifestyle and brings to mind iconic images; a classic Queenslander with a wide veranda and white picket fence; sun shining through the palm trees that line the waterfront. I painted in a spontaneous manner with broad strokes to capture the emotion and feel of the scene rather than the precise detail. The style represents the loose and fluid lifestyle of Queensland.

2012

Lino cut on paper

Wide Bay Burnett

Artist Statement

The Singing Ship is iconic to the small seaside village of Emu Park. It is a monument to Captain Cook, who discovered the area. When the wind blows across the ends of the metal tubes, an eerie sound results. From 'The Singing Ship' there are wonderful views looking across to The Keppel Islands, including Great Keppel Island. I wanted to incorporate these aspects into a lino cut. There are twelve lino pieces, three colours and uneven sides.

2012

Waterbased textile ink on linen

South West Qld & Darling Downs

Artist Statement

The inspiration for 'Bush Tukka' comes from my Ancestor Adam Forster's Botanical paintings which were painted in the early Twentieth Century and are now stored in the Australian National Library. Some of his paintings have been sampled and reworked to create new imagery and designs for textiles. With the theme of the show 'The Essential Character of Queensland' my work incorporates Australian wildflowers such as the Rosella, Boabab and Native Grapes. The pattern repeat is 100cm in height and covers the 150cm width of the upholstery linen to suggest the expanse of the Queensland landscape.

2012

Canson paper cover, inkjet paper, art papers, plastic enclosures, coal particles (enclosed) and waxed linen thread

South West Qld & Darling Downs

Artist Statement

This work exhibits the 'essential character of Queensland' by the way in which Queenslander artists can, even as a result of witnessing the destructive affect on a community by extractive mining, respond by making artwork to stimulate commentary through the use of humor and parody.

2012

Digital video

Mackay Whitsundays

Artist Statement

This digital art video was created in response to artefacts located at the Sarina District's 'Field of Dreams' Historical Centre. The work explores the life of identity Bob Campbell who was an SP Bookie, Saddler and Boot maker from Sarina. With the use of altered footage, soundscapes and still photographic images, the video paints a portrait of a man in an imaginative and non-literal journey of fact, fiction and the memory and events of those who were around him during the birth of the town. He was an integral part of early life in a small Queensland community and remains a very important aspect of it through the family and history that remain.

2012

Dye on silk

Cairns & Far North Qld

Artist Statement

The Cassowary is a familiar icon of far north Queensland and the symbol of the Djabugay people. My grandsons name is Dirrawai and through his father, he has traditional links to the Djabugay people in the tropical rainforest region of far north Queensland. Featuring on the painting alongside the cassowary are some stylised blue quondongs. They eat this fruit and excrete it further a field ensuring the trees ongoing existence. Vines are always present in the rainforest and are depicted in the background.

2012

Drypoint etching on paper

Cairns & Far North Qld

Artist Statement

This dry-point print represents the quintessential Queenslander home.  The wooden high-set house with its wrap-around verandas is set amongst luxuriant vegetation. It is a place where the family can keep cool on hot sultry days. The softness of the lines and the plate tones which are achieved with the dry-point printing technique, lends themselves beautifully to the relaxed feeling of the house and the exuberance of the vegetation.

2012

Monotype

Townsville

Artist Statement

The Landscape has always been of interest in my work. I am inspired by the colours, textures, natural rock and land formations, insects, trees, and the esoteric nature of place. I believe the landscape depicts its own story to be told. I draw inspiration in the solitude of drawing on location. The process I go through to create my pictures begins as I start to see and draw the landscape in the distance, gradually focusing on subjects in closer proximity until I start to see and interpret the essential character of place. This monotype is reflective of winter in the dry tropics which I have interpreted as the essential character of Queensland.

2011

Cane toad skin, florist wire

South East QLD (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

Iconic fauna and flora carry implications of national as well as personal identity. Flora, such as wattle, Banksia or the waratah, have emblematic associations recognisable to the majority of Australians. The Coast Banksia is commonly found along the beaches of Queensland, the beach itself being an integral part of life in Queensland, prominently featured in advertising for tourism. The Coast Banksia has been replicated in the skin of the cane toad, an animal that has become a feral pest in Queensland. On one level, this refers to the colonisation of our native species by introduced species. On another, broader level, it refers to the dangers of globalisation and the loss of the unique and the local. These elements are central to our sense of personal as well as national identity.

2012

Oil on canvas

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world. It is a unique landscape with large diversity and has a distinctive environment from mangroves to large wooded areas. I have visited the island by boat on many occasions, drawing in situ with easel on the beach or on the boat and have sketch books full of drawings made during these visits. This oil painting is based on the memory of this untamed landscape; of the light, the vastness and the beauty of this unique place.

2011

Linocut print on paper

Cairns & Far North Qld

Artist Statement

The Great Dividing Range is an icon of Queensland which stretches from Dauan Island in the northern part of the Torres Strait Islands to Victoria. However, the creation story is something special and this is why I've created this piece, to maintain the cultural aspect of significant landmarks, the land and the environment. The dreaming tells the story of two carpet snakes who carved out the Great Dividing Range working their way up north. As they got to the top of Queensland, they thirst for water. They used the ends of their tails, drilling into the ground fast to find water. Then suddenly, water burst from beneath creating rivers and springs, so they drank. They worked their way up through Cape York making mountains with their body and creating springs and rivers with their tails. The two carpet snakes then went on beyond Cape York to the Torres Straits.

2012

Gel pens on canvas

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

Mandala is a spiritual art however my mandala is very different to any others. I start with some circles using a compass. I then use freehand without too much thinking, just like doing meditation at the same time. They are all mostly freehand drawing, raw from my memory bank from my current and past lives. This one is of Australian native flowers represented in Mandala which I was inspired to create by the garden at home.

2012

Acrylic on canvas

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

I fell in love with this beautiful state of ours some eleven summers ago when I arrived as a migrant from Europe. I bear witness to new growth with the passing of the rains. I feel this blossoming physically and emotionally, this new growth is tangible yet ephemeral. I am absorbing Queensland and its character of fortitude, perseverance and growth and as it becomes an essential part of me, I too, will continue to bloom.

2011

2B graphite on paper

Wide Bay Burnett

Artist Statement

I am deeply connected to the history of this state, so drawing this old David Brown tractor, seemingly broken down and abandoned in the bush, was for me an absolutely cathartic experience. I know the history of the tractor in Hervey Bay from when it was brand new and working hard many years ago. Eventually it broke a back wheel so badly it couldn't be repaired but continued to labour for many years after that, running machinery off it's back hub until finally being retired. To this day despite having no real purpose, it still starts easily and runs smoothly. It seems to represent everything I know about the spirit of Queensland, sitting content on rough ground with no track to or from and a never-say-die attitude. This is what drove me to draw it in all it's glory.

2011

Mixed media on canvas

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

I chose to leave France and settle on the Sunshine Coast in 1995. Nature is often at the core of my inspiration. I am fascinated by the landscape in Queensland, especially by the light and this deep feeling that energy is flowing everywhere.   As an artist, I rely on colour, contrast and texture to convey my feelings and memories. For me representing landscape is translating my impressions on the canvas using colours, shapes, details. 'Terra Viva' (Living Earth) represents the power of nature in Queensland, a place where everything grows so fast and so strong, that after seventeen years I am still amazed. I live on a fourteen acre property and spend a lot of time observing and connecting to this living force. I  started my painting with a layer of collage, sand and impasto, before developing the work with subtle layers of intermixed colours and glazing.

2012

Acrylic on canvas board

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

A joyfull expression of people harvesting pineapples near the Glasshouse Mountains

2012

Water colour, acrylic and oil pastel on art paper

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

This artwork consists of two paintings framed together, showing the contrasting colours and textures of a rusty tin shed in the outback and the clear vibrant colours of life at the beach. I have chosen these two images to represent my idea of Queensland.

2012

Mixed media

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

I started creating my work with the brief 'the essential character of Queensland' and from the original idea of a work on canvas. From there, it developed into the concertina journal. With the colours to depict the intensity of light in a sub-tropical climate, these facets and more encapsulate natures 'essential character of Queensland'.

2012

Transparent decals on clear acrylic sheets

South West Qld & Darling Downs

Artist Statement

Passing showers and thunderstorms have brought mixed blessings over many years to all of Australia and in particular, Queensland. The cycles of wet and dry seasons; of droughts and flooding rains exemplify the essenial character of Queensland. A passing shower or thunderstorm would be welcomed with open arms during scorching, arid times. However, generations of Queenslanders have also begged the rain to leave, cursing it soundly, in need of respite from torrential downpours. My three images depict photographs and one drawing of a wind-blown, plastic rain bonnet that was always kept in my mothers' handbag. Tossed on the breeze, this headwear symbolises physical, social, historical and emotional ties to the state. The transparent decals have been mounted on clear acrylic sheets and positioned in layers, separated by clear spacers within black frames. These transparent, refective surfaces communicate wet weather, but may mystify those who've never seen a rain bonnet.

2012

Watercolour on paper

Townsville

Artist Statement

For those on the land, the Queensland floods of 2011 were both a curse and a blessing. Crops were destroyed, livestock drowned, fences flattened and expensive machinery ruined. However, with disaster came the much needed water to rejuvenate the land.

2012

Acrylic on canvas

Central West

Artist Statement

When asked to interpret the theme 'The Essential Character of Queensland', I instantly thought of those daggy t-shirts everyone would proudly wear, boasting that they had holidayed somewhere in Queensland. You know the ones, "I got wrecked at Fraser Island", "I got wreaked at Tin Can Bay"� or "My Aunty went to the Gold Coast and all I got was this dumb t-shirt"�. I used these as my inspiration to paint an abstract shipwreck� using lots of texture and experimental techniques. I really enjoyed playing around� with the paint whilst adding layer upon layer to this painting. There are many details and interesting things to look at when viewed up close, which is hard to capture in a photograph.

2012

Mixed media on canvas

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

The red dirt of the inland sea of dust. The green of the trees and fields. The glowing golden sun ever present even behind the rain and clouds. The blues and browns of the water of the oceans, creeks, rivers, dams and lakes, crystal clear and glowing or muddy from the rain and floods. The colours that inspire me are the Essential Character of Queensland.

2012

Acrylic on canvas

Cairns & Far North Qld

Artist Statement

Although the burning of the cane field is much less common than it used to be, there is exceptions and reasons to keep up this traditional practice. This painting reflects the burning of the cane fields where red vibrant flames turn into the soft coloured grey-pink smoke towards the end of the burning.

2012

Acrylic on canvas board

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

A joyful expression of people enjoying themselves at the Gold Coast, including the iconic Surf Life Savers and their Flags.

2012

Acrylic & oil pastel on paper

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

The piece that I have entered into this competition is painted by hand, using acrylics and oil pastels layered on paper. The painting is about two people running together in the wide open space, whether it be in the bush or near the sea. The blue represents open skies and vast seas. In Queensland, we have a multi cultural past; I am a descendent of European settlers and immigrants, as well as aboriginal people. The people in the painting are comprised of many colours and patches on the paper, which shows how we came to be Queensland society. Art is my escape and my rawest thoughts. The action of the figures I paint represent how I use art to express my emotion.

2012

Lino cut on Fabriano

South West Qld & Darling Downs

Artist Statement

The 2011 floods affected everyone in Queensland in some way. Meringandan even had a new river for a while. Though most of the water ran off to the sea up North or down the Murray river, so much of the attention was on the amazing scenes unfolding in the state's capital. As the media showed the inevitable rise of the waters, more people than ever watched as their life's possessions, valuables, property, stuff and spirits all tumbled and swirled under our most recognised structure out into Moreton bay. It was a spectre which surely summed up the emotions of every Queenslander trying to come to grips with our frailty in the eyes of Mother Nature. In this image I see the Story Bridge as a uniting structure, weathering not only the tempest but also bridging the quarrelling politics and opinions of the distressed residents of the state.

2012

Digital print

Central West

Artist Statement

Last year I returned to Central Queensland after fifteen years. I hoped the negative feelings about my hometown would have dissipated; maybe I’d grown out of it. It was like no time had passed at all. I may as well have been 15 again, feeling trapped and unable to breathe the hot dry air that was full of dust and cow shit. As a teenager I often went with friends to the Mt Archer lookout to plan an escape. We sat, smoked, wasted time and laughed into the glow of the city lights that spelled HELL in burning red capital letters. Just after I left, this gained national media attention. I believe the council's response was a plan to add a letter: HELL was to become HELLO. hellO is about returning to find a connection to place and feeling more detached than ever.

2012

Acrylic & bitumen paints on board

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

The huge granite boulders of Girraween National Park near Stanthorpe are an iconic feature of the Queensland landscape. This painting was originally just the central panel but I decided it needed enlarging in order to express the immense scale of the rock. In preparing the side panels to encompass the whole boulder, I found that a simple outline expressed the extraordinary aspect of this balancing act where the massive weight seems to perch lightly in the air.

2012

Acrylic on canvas

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

The artwork, 'Anticipate the Kiss of Life', is a portrait of Gill Brownhill with a Rainbow Lorikeet chick. Gill Brownhill, along with her late husband, Col, established the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in the Sunshine Coast hinterland town of Eumundi in 1997. Since then, Gill has been caring for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Relevant to the theme of 'essential character of Queensland', like a true hero, Gill pushes the boundaries of commitment with her selfless work as carer for a constant array of animal patients. Gill's unique character takes root in the hearts of anyone she meets, no matter how short the interaction; to me, the sign of a true blue Aussie. This portrait depicts a side of Gill that is consistently present, but not many people have the good fortune to witness the reserved, contemplative, loving face of a wildlife warrior.

2011

Assemblage/found objects

Wide Bay Burnett

Artist Statement

I have experienced The 'Essence of Queensland' with a window, curtained by one hundred year old corrugated iron above a doily printed shelf. The shelf showcases various objects typifying a bygone era as an altar to the essence of a Queensland past. These objects include a highly glazed decorative vase, an anodised beer mug, a tin of log cabin tobacco, a horse shoe and other ornaments. Corrugated iron is an icon of Australian architecture; especially the unique Queenslander. I like the juxtaposition of the tough durable corrugated iron 'exterior' with the feminising of the interior. As I remember; every house had a horseshoe turned upwards for good luck, every ornament had a doily under it and men smoked tobacco.

2012

Acrylic on paper

South West Qld & Darling Downs

Artist Statement

Considering this theme as a realist painter, I decided that the essence of place that held the strongest personal meaning would not include locations or features, which in fact I rarely visit, but rather the essence of a more everyday reality. An emblematic sight may symbolise a state, but will be selective, and leave out of account a fuller reality. This personal approach results in a picture of my local area. A wider landscape and an even wider sky provide the setting.  The general, rather than the particular, provides this essence of space that reaches out and includes all that the state provides. The means for this provision is the road that stretches across the scene, and where two vehicles have stopped briefly for the passengers' refreshment. They stand scattered in the wayside break on their journey; and, by their various ages, in the journey of their lives.

2012

Glazed avocado skin collage with acrylic paint, ground of modelling compound and vinyl LPs as ground

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

Home Grown is a tribute to our luscious Queensland avocado. Queensland is the largest avocado growing state in the nation and the Sunshine Coast region grows more avocados than anywhere else in the state. My work, with a ground of stacked recycled vinyl records, incorporates vintage 1950s glazed avocado skins and a ground of carved terrain. This terrain and the colours used have been informed by the Queensland countryside and river systems. The palette of iridescent greens, yellows and bronze provide reference to the Queensland sunshine and the lush environment in which our home-grown avocados flourish.

2012

Pen on paper

South West Qld & Darling Downs

Artist Statement

As a beach girl at heart, the 'Shifting Sands'  drawings were initially my response to the micro-topography of sandbanks at low tide. They are an exploration of pattern. Once noticed, pattern can be seen everywhere, and although it can be decorative and dazzling, for me it also has meaning. Pattern physically demonstrates relationships, the way things come together and the interconnectedness of all things physical and spiritual.

2012

Pencil on paper

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

My piece of art is a pencil sketch of a photograph taken of my sister and I outside the historic Rudd's Pub at Nobby, Queensland. In my younger years, my father owned a farming property in Nobby and it was a family favourite to enjoy a meal there while exploring the artifacts displayed. My sister and I recently re-visited the area and the photograph taken became the vision for my entry. Rudd's Pub is named after the famous author Steele Rudda, who captured the hearts of Australians with his 'Dad & Dave'� stories. Nobby was also the home of Sister Elizabeth Kenny, who pioneered the treatment for infantile paralysis.  Rudd's Pub is truly a great Queensland icon and this has been realised by the many tourists who pass through the area from year to year.

2011

Pastel on ColourFix Paper

Wide Bay Burnett

Artist Statement

I absolutely love the way the temperate Pacific Ocean kisses the vast stretching Queensland coast, moulding beaches and creating surf like no other. Thousands travel from abroad every year to visit this Sunshine State. I live in the tiny

tourist town of Agnes Water. It’s considered to be the northern most surf beach of Queensland and that’s what my picture depicts. The locals here live not for money, but for surf and the relaxed lifestyle that Queensland’s well famous for. My picture captures the adrenalin high that fills each and every surfer as they catch THAT wave. Once you catch THAT wave you fully understand why thousands along the Queensland coast religiously go and do the same crazy sport every chance they can. You then understand why there is a whole culture, myself included, that cannot stray far from this state’s unique and breath-taking coast.

2012

Acrylic on canvas board

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

A joyful expression of children flying a kite in the outback.

2012

Digital video

Mackay Whitsundays

Artist Statement

Friday 2pm, mine commute. Every second the image changes. Every 60 seconds an image was taken. For 3 hours and 40 minutes I rode my bike a distance of 60km. Every Friday afternoon instead of the short drive home a group of workers ride from Newlands Coalmine to Glenden QLD, 'the long way'. I question why? To understand this land, you must experience this land. This is the documentation of my experience. I now understand why.

2011

Acrylic on canvas

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

Time for a Cuppa' marries an Australian Parrot with my interpretations of family, juxtapositioning my role as a mother by assuming the identity of the parrot. Exploring the relationship between mother and child, I communicate the habit of parents repeating themselves, not only on a daily basis, but sometimes like a 'screeching' parrot. In the end, they seek solace in a cup of tea.

2012

Oil on canvas

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

The Sunshine Coast beaches have always been a big part of Queenslanders' lives. From summer holidays with the family when we were growing up, to a great place to escape as adults; beaches such as Coolum are an integral part of our favourite memories and a big part of the fabric of Queensland.

2011

Discarded vacuum cleaners

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

I have chosen the Cane Toad as my subject matter for this project. The historic man made catastrophe implemented in Queensland, is now of plague proportions across the top end of Australia and is moving south. As this presents an enormous dilemma for wildlife and domestic pets, many proponents promote ideas and devices for annihilation of this pest, all to no ends. Eradication plans such as chemical castration, poisons, and the dangerous pastime of creating road victims is to no avail. As  the unstoppable toad population expands; the phenomenon leads me to affirm: Q. What do Cane toads and vacuum cleaners have in common? A. Both imports are unstoppable!

2012

Oil on Canvas

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

The countryside promises a good season. Crops grow, animals flourish and overhead a colourful parrot reflects the vibrancy of nature's bounty. Dark clouds warn of a coming storm and deep in the earth another type of storm is brewing.  The man trudges through the maze of argument surrounding the CSG issue. He carries his life experiences, his beliefs and convictions with him. It is tough going. Feeling disconnected from the process and therefore unsure of his position, the man goes in search of answers as the dog watches the story unfold. Behind him is a beautiful flowering tree that grew from soil nourished by the body of a dead sheep. The dog questions how land, if ruined, can ever be revived. What beauty can blossom from poisoned country, contaminated aquifers and the despair of those who have suffered unimaginable losses?

2012

Acrylic on canvas

South West Qld & Darling Downs

Artist Statement

Drawing inspiration from the regional landscape of Toowoomba as it was effected by seasonal weather patterns of drought and floods. Using symbols that were iconic, a water measuring stick and parched earth are drawn together in one expressive work. Using colours that are vibrant, they compliment each other and shock the viewer to relive these repeated scenes that were prominent in their time and affected many lives. It is my attempt to portray a snapshot of an era.

2011

Oil on canvas

Cairns & Far North Qld

Artist Statement

For me, the essential character of Queensland is all about our environment, our surrounds, why we are here and as an artist, how we respond. Painting from nature, my paintings are engaging, multi-layered and seductive, like the veiled colours and symbols of the rainforest. Each painting evokes the magical presence of nature, having a tactile presence on several levels. My belief is that the rainforest should not be 'out there' but should loom up close to us all to be touched, felt, tasted and smelled. Every space, form and layer in the paintings seductively calls us to trace their edges, making them palpable and material to touch. The space forms a lively whole, a dense surface with complex and symphonic movement. Within the rainforest there are the essential forms of trees, rocks and water pools that evoke human emotion and compel visual poetry within the paintings.

2012

Acrylic on canvas

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

I wanted to reach into this area where I live, to experience the land under my feet that runs right up to Mt. Cooroora. The old cone required an old face, powerful with expression. This was my way of acknowledging the Indigenous presence of thousands of years. Water, a cycle of nature to respect in this part of the country, needed to be included. The old gum is for the survival of generations on into the future, who can perceive the natural beauty of the environment that nourishes all of us.

2012

Mixed media

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

As a child living in rural queensland, every year our family packed up the car and headed for the beach. Mum, Dad, the kids, the dog sitting on the rocks, paddling and dangling a line: the iconic queensland family holiday. The smell, the vibrant colours, the patterns of the water, the texture of the rocks, the discoveries in the crevices and the magic feelings. I applied countless layers of colour to a canvas surface and added textural elements to bring a sense of depth and transparency. Fibers, eggshell, stones, papers, inks, washes, acrylics, pencil, biro, shellac, beads and resin are just a few of the many mediums that I expored. Often just a glimpse of underlying layers serve as a reminder of the constant threat posed by humans to this fragile environment.

2012

Mixed media on canvas

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

The granite rocks at Girraween have always held a fascination for me. Great balancing boulders, sheer slippery drops into ancient rock pools and amazing lines and textures created so long ago. The area has such a strong energy, enticing exploration and wonder at every turn.

2012

Digital print

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

This image works because it has fine details of the original photograph removed. The detail removal process is halted at the point that only essential detail remains, this encourages an audience to ask themselves questions about the underlying story, to connect. The second and essential stage of the process transforms the remaining imagery to a graphical representation of itself. It becomes high impact, and draws casual observers into its visual, gravitational pull. The body boarder has been completely isolated from the rest of the scene. Alone. Focused. The surf is the lifeblood of coastal Queenslanders and it is taken very seriously.

2011

Silicon, Perspex and nylon

South West Qld & Darling Downs

Artist Statement

The beliefs and spirituality of our community are diverse yet integral to who we are, as we all seek  meaning as we write our story. Like a prayer rug, this work includes marks and patterns of meaning, directional guides and points of focussed contemplation to the seeker of inner peace. It creates a meditative space which is separate from the everyday, a detached space in which to contemplate how we want to "be" in the world. It is spaces that allow engagement with the slowness and introspection of experience, serving as triggers to deep responses that allow us to imagine what is invisible. When we inhabit the space we can then be the author of our own story.

2012

Plant fibres, dyed fabric, wool

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

The sun on my wall-piece is both literal and symbolic. Moving to Queensland in 1987 to teach in the Torres Strait and the first time off the plane in Cairns, the heat hit me with a force I had never experienced. Down South, I had always suffered badly from chilblains- itchy welts on my toes due to the cold. As a result of the warmer weather, I haven't had another chilblain since my arrival to Queensland. The sun also symbolises the warmth and generosity of the essential character of Queensland people that I meet in everyday life. The capacity of this warmth and generosity was especially evident during the Queensland floods. I would like to think the sun is also a symbol of the future, where Queenslanders' warmth and generosity will ripple outwards to the rest of Australia and further.

2012

Digital print on acrylic

Cairns & Far North Qld

Artist Statement

Rich in both fauna and flora, Queensland is by far the most bio-diverse state in Australia. In the current hurly-burly lifestyle of the 21st century, few of us take the time to reflect on what is important to us. In Reflections, I used stylised images of moths from Tropical Queensland in juxtaposition with local flora, to encourage the viewer to reflect on what I believe to be one of the essential characters of Queensland.

2012

Oil on canvas

South East Qld (ex Brisbane)

Artist Statement

This painting does not depict objective reality, but the subjective emotions that the Queensland landscape arouses. The work is informed by the saying "beautiful one day, perfect the next"�. It portrays an afternoon filled with the large blue winter sky and glimpses of the land from inside to out.

Dry point etching on paper

Mackay Whitsundays

Artist Statement

Paradox Pattern is an abstract representation of plant life and forms found in natural environments. The image bends and folds, creating strange patterns and forms amongst the foliage. Though the image seems to engulf itself, there is still a natural flow through the lines. The lines connect and tumble down and outward, much like a falling waterfall.