Solo Exhibition, Brunswick Street Gallery,

Fitzroy, Vic, Australia, 2010.

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Children from the surf life saving clubs in Sydney, Australia, crossed with the Roman Catholic Church in Rome. A semi-biographical concept whereby the awkward juxtaposition of innocent child vs paternalistic authority creates the narrative. Mixed with current issues of global warming, sexism, and sexual abuse, these paintings have multiple meanings. "My mind was spinning with ideas when I composed each image. I charged the paintings to communicate their layers. They will, over time."

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Artist Statement

A major change in my work developed after a visit to Rome in 2009. Coming from a religious beginning, my experiences as a child within ‘The Church’ became my creative muse.

    With hindsight I find the perceived authority and solemnity that is represented by the huge, resplendent basilicas very challenging. 

    In my experience, the relationship of the Church to small girls was ambiguous. It ranged from paternalism at best, through indifference to misogyny.

    My protagonists are young athletes, removed them from their typical backdrops of beaches and parks, and placed into unexpected environments, such as a cathedral or revered museums. 

My girls are indifferent to their environment, referencing the fixed stares in a Melozzo fresco.

    Hordes of children running through the Basilica, surfers using the sacred stairs, and swimmers undergoing Little Nippers training in church... these are wonderfully palliating exploits for me.

    The contrast transports them in importance and gavitas beyond their original status, and creates a juxtaposition of irreverent irrelevance.

     With “Strange Arcade”  I depict a life drawing model in the revered halls of St Peters Basilica, contemplating the carved figures with their intense gestures and loaded symbols. No longer the innocent child, this women, the secular common person,  is observing her surrounds, and contemplates the overdressed, complex formalities of the ‘devine’ world.

    In “Rising Flood Downs Basilica” and “It’s not rocket science, this change thing” I have an added reference to climate change issues, a possible new direction for me.    

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Group Exhibition: Brunswick Street Gallery, Fitzroy, Vic, Australia. 2009.

The Rocks, Sydney

The Rocks: I began 2009 working on an Urban Landscape Industry series, which explored the concept of depth and space of the engineered environment, with reference to the Romantics, and the juxtaposition and role of men and woman in those spaces. 

Old Town: My trips to The Rocks also resulted in paintings of the “old town” nestled in the new. Views from high looking over the earlier architectural styles, to the modern glass blocks of new Sydney behind. 

The Cafés in Melbourne

After a visit to Melbourne, my preferred genre became the cafes, lanes and people south of the border. I had voyeuristic intent with my camera, photographing the small groups who were huddled under black umbrellas, engrossed in conversation. I also recorded the graffiti that is omnipresent in the city centre. Both elements became subjects for my work.

This is your Project description. Provide a brief summary to help visitors understand the context and background of your work. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start.

This is your Project description. A brief summary can help visitors understand the context of your work. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start.