Artist Bio
Adaptation of nature and what could be
Following my “Street art” series –
Within an ongoing study of our collective behavior in a city environment, my new series of artwork focuses on the balance between man and nature and visually studies an impact irony that became evident during my research over the past 2 years.
There is a “circle of balance or imbalance” active between our environment and our behavior.
The land under the majority of our cities was once either rainforest or bush lands, with a potable water source, usually a river system, on the coast.
Upon arrival, we vigorously and thoughtlessly dismantled the existing environment, establishing the villages that became our towns, which subsequently grew to become the concrete, glass and steel jungles we now call “home”.
The irony is that we cleared and developed so much we decimated the natural environment that attracted us in the first place, which had flourished in these places since the last ice age.
Later, in an unintentional memorial to the lost flora and fauna, we built factories, which produce plastic copies of the very plants that gave way to our quest to spread out and we now use these as decoration in our buildings, which stand where the infinitely better “real nature” used to be, much of which was lost forever.
This series portrays the city in its majestic grittiness but with nature clawing back, to re-establish a hold of the crumbling aspects of what we will eventually leave behind.
I am taking a slightly more surreal and dreamlike approach to the presence of people and creatures in this work; allowing nature to share the forefront. This is to represent our perpetual forward motion and change within the structural honeycomb that is our city.
Curriculum Vittae
Held in Private Collections across Australia, America and throughout Asia .
2015
Completed public street art installations in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.
Commenced new series and genre: “Nature reclaiming the urban environment”; artwork for competitions and exhibition.
Continuation, by invitation, of solo exhibition pieces, at Alchemy Restaurant and Bar, Eagle Street Pier, Brisbane.
2014
Solo exhibition at REDSEA Gallery, Brisbane.
Completed public street art installations in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.
Researched ideas and locations, for transitioning to new series of subject matter.
2013
Entered the Sir John Sulman Art Prize, Sydney.
Entered Wynne Prize, Sydney.
Commenced work for upcoming solo exhibition.
Carried out research trip to Fiji, for subject matter for future series.
2012
Finalist in the Sir John Sulman Art Prize, Sydney.
Invited to participate at the Tattersall’s Landscape Art Award, in Brisbane, in August 2012.
Solo Exhibition at REDSEA Gallery, Brisbane.
2011
Commenced representation and exhibited with both REDSEA Gallery, Brisbane and Singapore.
Finalist in 2011 Wynne Prize (Landscape, Sculpture or Figurative), Sydney.
Donated paintings to "Make a Wish Foundation", helping to raise over $10 000 for children with terminal illnesses.
Commenced a new series of street-art-themed artwork for future competitions and exhibitions.
2010
Solo exhibition with Gallery 2120, Newstead.
Entered Archibald Art Prize, Sydney.
Entered Doug Moran Art Prize, Sydney.
2009
Commenced representation with Gallery 2120 (formerly Dean Reilly Gallery).
Solo exhibition in October at Gallery 2120, Newstead, QLD.
Commenced position in October as resident artist for "Scales & Tails Australia" national herpetology magazine.
2008
Solo Exhibition in July at Charles Ginn Galleries, Paddington, QLD.
Hosted outdoor landscape painting weekend workshop, Gold Coast Hinterland, QLD.
2007
Joint Exhibition with Andy Wild and Corinne Lewis, Charles Ginn Galleries, Paddington, QLD.
2006
Group Exhibition of 5 artists - The Arts Factory, South Brisbane, QLD.
Moving Canvas joint exhibition “Discovery” - Central Plaza One (by invite only).
2005
Moving Canvas joint art exhibition - Central Plaza One, Brisbane QLD (by invite only).
Joint Exhibition with Andy Wild and Matt Cheyne by invite - Charles Ginn Galleries, Paddington, QLD.
2004
Commenced representation with Charles Ginn Galleries, Brisbane.
2003
Commenced representation with Lapart, with Skye Leong.
Art 2000 Gallery Sydney, NSW - Joint art exhibition with professional artist Patrick Miller.
2001
(Corporate Collection) Commissioned to supply 74 original pastel paintings to Boat Haven Resort, Ayrlie Beach, QLD.
Charles Ginn Galleries - Annual Group Artists’ Exhibition (by invite only).
2000
Interior Decorators’ Expo Australia (I.D.E.A.) Parklands, QLD - People’s Choice Award.
1999
Beenleigh Art Society Annual Exhibition - Judges Choice Award
Highly Commended - Fine Art Open Class
Highly Commended - Australian Wildlife Flora & Fauna
Ormeau Regional Art Show - People’s Choice Award
1998
Beenleigh Show QLD 1st Prize - Seascape (any medium)
1st Prize - Animal Study (any medium)
1st Prize - Still Life Pastel
1st Prize - Masters Copy (any medium)
1997
Bentley Art Show NSW People’s Choice Award
Gold Coast Show QLD 2nd Prize - Contemporary Painting
Highly Commended - Contemporary Painting
Beenleigh Show QLD 1st Prize - Figure (any medium)
Highly Commended - Figure (any medium)
2nd Prize - Any Painting (any medium)
Highly Commended - Seascape (any medium)
1996
Beenleigh Show QLD 1st Prize - Insect Study (any medium)
2nd Prize - Any Painting (any medium)
2nd Prize - Still Life Pastel
Highly Commended - Figure Section
1995
Kyogle Show NSW 1st Prize - Pastel Portrait
1st Prize - Still Life
1st Prize - Pastel (any other subject)
1st Prize - Water Colour (any other subject)
1st Prize - Charcoal Section
2nd Prize - Charcoal Section