Artists Statement and Biogaphy

Born in Zomba, Malawi (Nyasaland in Central Africa). I grew up on a farm in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). Moved to South Africa in 1980 In 1990 on moving to Cape Town participated in exhibitions with well-known South African Artists. In June 1997 we moved to Hong Kong, a city that affects all senses and inspiration came not only from the glistening high-rise towers, but, from the everyday culture of the citizens, including their openness, friendliness and curiosity of this solitary “Gweipo” sketching and photographing their everyday life. We moved to Australian in 2003, where I have worked full time with my husband in a business for 20 years. and continued to follow my passion of Art. I am now painting fulltime and teaching children art at Sydney Art School, which is a delight.

 

SELECTED EXHIBITIOS AND AWARDS

 

YEAR                          EVENT

1992                            Constantia Art Society – Cape Town, South Africa

                                    The Art Studio Exhibition, Constantia Village Gallery, Cape

                                    Town, South Africa

1994                            Kirstenbosch Gardens – Cape Town, South Africa

1995                            Groote Constantia Wine Farm Gallery – Cape Town, South Africa

1996                            Kirstenbosch Gardens Gallery – Cape Town, South Africa

1997 – 2003                Exhibited with Artists Abroad annually at Hong Kong

                                    Convention Centre and Foreign Correspondence Club

2010                            Ku-ring-gai Council – Painting Purchase “A Rainy Day

                                    In Parks’

2012                            Fellow of Australian Society of Marine Artists

2013                            Ku-ring-gai Council – Purchase of painting at the Award

                                    Exhibition

2014                            Artist of the Year – Australian Society of Marine Artists

                                    President’s Award – Australian Society o Marine Artists

2015                            International Women’s Day – Certificate of Recognition

2016                            Winner – The Spirit of Ku-ring-gai prize

2018                            Highly Commended – Oils – Ku-ring-gai Art Awards Exhibition

2019                            Art of Sydney Awards Exhibition – CASS honours

2022                            Silver Jubilee Trophy – Ku-ring-gai Art Awards Exhibition

                                    Community Hero – NSW Government

                                    Viewer’s Choice-Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards Exhibition

2025                            Ku-ring-gai Art Society – 3rd Prize Anne Gomes Memorial

                                    Prize

                                    Ku-ring-gai Art Society – 3rd Prize Oil Painting

2009 – 2026                Ku-ring-gai Art Exhibition – three juried exhibitions a year.

                                    Kings School Exhibitions

                                    Royal Easter Show Exhibitions

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2003                            China Tee Club, Pedder Street Hong Kong

MEMBER

1990                            South African Society of Artists, South Africa

1992                            Constantia Society of Artists, South Africa

1997                            Artists Abroad Association, Hong Kong – a group of 16 artists

                                    Annual exhibitions at the Hong Kong Convention Centre.

2003                            The confederating of Hong Kong Visual Arts

2009 -                         Member of Ku-ring-gai Art Society, Sydney, Australia

2010 -                         Secretary of Ku-ring-gai Art Society, Sydney, Australia

2009 –                        Fellow of Australian Society of Marine Artists

PUBLISHED

1999                            Selected Works of Watercolour by Artists of Hong Kong

2000                            Hong Kong Visual Artists Directory

REVIEWS

1999                            Planetexpat.com – Against the Grain

                                    South China Morning Post, Hong Kong

2000                            BC Magazine, Hong Kong

2001                            Town Crier, Hong Kong

2002                            BC Magazine, Hong Kong

 

Artists in Residence for the Sydney Heritage Fleet – AIR

In 2012 – 2013 a three-month association with Sydney Heritage Fleet as Artists in Resident. Being one of 10 women, we were given access to tugs, yachts, ferries, barges and barques, being restored to preserve the history of Australian boating history.  The residency culminated with an exhibition on 26th April 2014, held on the James Craig Tall Ship to raise awareness of the Sydney Heritage Fleet.

 

Geo Art Project

We met in Hong Kong as part of Artists Abroad, who now live in all corners of the world.  When I visited Annysa Ng in New York, we discussed a future project to connect us once again.  Geo Art Project was born.

 

A portfolio was created by a member living in Texas.  Based on the theory of 10 degrees of separation. ‘You will know somebody, who knows somebody’. It was carried by a friend of a friend to each destination.  Eventually, arriving back in Philadelphia for an exhibition.  The portfolio had a disposable camera, to record each destination and friend who carried the portfolio.  Also, a diary included to record all the events, plus sleeves to carry the artwork, at a maximum size of 17” x 14”.

 

The portfolio travelled from Texas to Los Angeles, Hawaii, Canada, New York, Paris, Hong Kong, Bali and Sydney.  Returning to Los Angeles, to rest in Philadelphia.  It has connected us all, the logistics of creating an exhibition left to one person has stalled the process.  But this was more a re-connection of purpose, art, friendship and creativeness.