Contact + Bio

Biography:

Zambia, Central Africa was where I grew up until migrating to Australia with my family in 1976. Since then I have lived all over Australia, from Perth to Alice Springs, Adelaide to Brisbane and now Melbourne. Although I consider myself a contemporary Australian painter, my work often suggests that I was influenced by the myriad of visual inputs and experiences that I was exposed to as a child. The evocative power of a bold use of colour, strong dramatic forms, a sculptural weight to objects and the representation of the figure to express the “story” are some examples.

Having been essentially self-taught since I seriously began painting about 20 years ago, it has always been of great concern to me to produce work that is both relevant to the present, and of a quality that will stand up to the demands metered out by current critical thought. It also reflects concepts born from my own convictions and perceptions.

From the age of 15, whilst living in Alice Springs, I was particularly interested in film and I became involved in the production and filming of “Hoosh Down”, a documentary about the camel race. It was awarded second prize in the Australian Children’s Film and Television Awards in 1978. 

I have been learning and practicing several creative fields since then. From printmaking to sculpture, from photography to murals, from jewelry to shoemaking, and all the while I have painted. Painting has provided me with a means of exploring and making “real”  my search for a personal philosophy. I believe that my perception of reality is enmeshed with memories, subsequently much of what I paint about, is a juxtaposition of the interplay of moments from my past, that when superimposed over my current experiences can evolve into an image that is unique and meaningful. The core of my work is about the desire to connect and meaningfully communicate with another. Whether that other is ones “inner self” or another “soul”, maybe a child or a lover, the human dilemma for the search for  identity and belonging seems to predominate in my work. The layering abilities of paint, the powerful and lyrical qualities of line and the joy of the unexpected can result in a visual poetry which continues to delight me.