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Celebrating the particular uniqueness of Australia and New Zealand, our artists find inspiration in some of the most varied and remote natural sites on earth. Intricate, richly detailed and spiritually inspired an overwhelming sense of warmth emanates from these artworks, bringing pleasure to those in their presence.
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Susanna Bertolacci
 
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The realist art of Susanna Bertolacci relies on exquisite detail to portray her subjects in a new light. A self-taught artist, at an early age Bertolacci developed a passion for drawing, although she did not make art her career until later in life. Now she works primarily in two media, pastel and oil paint. She remains true to the nature of the medium, rendering her pastel compositions with a softer, blended touch and her oil paintings with more texture, layering, and depth. Regardless of the medium, color and detail feature prominently in Bertolacci’s creations. “My personal aim,” she states, “is to capture the essence of my subject and to convey . . . its anima, soul.” She continues, “I want the viewer to believe they could stroke the feathers of the flamingo . . . [or] feel the firmness and roundness of a muscular torso. . . . I hope to stir within them a distant memory or a sense of serenity and calm,” a place to which they can escape when burdened by life. Her use of realistic detail also prompts a reconsideration of the person, animal, or landscape depicted, allowing the viewer a new understanding of the subject. As such, Bertolacci’s work contains a universal appeal that can be grasped and appreciated by all. Susanna Bertolacci was born and raised in Brisbane by Italian parents. She currently works and resides on the Gold Coast, where she owns a gallery in which she displays her own and others’ artistic creations.
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Poppy Fields Forever
"Poppy Fields Forever"
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Firey
"Firey"
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Astrid Dahl
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The Ridge Fell Away Sharply
"The Ridge Fell Away Sharply"
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Struggle between Lightness and Darkness
"Struggle between Lightness and Darkness"
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Ira McCully
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The New Baby Comes Home
"The New Baby Comes Home"
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One of my favourite things
"One of my favourite things"
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Sofia Minson
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Whaiawa
"Whaiawa"
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Te Here Tangata
"Te Here Tangata"
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Sonya Veronica
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Self-taught Indonesian artist Sonya Veronica brings an innate sensitivity to her explorations of color and line. Deep reds and browns flow alongside saffron, gold and black in waves that suggest flame, water, wood, and even the human body. Yet despite the volatile colors and dramatic upsweep, there is no turmoil evident in these works. The spectrum of her color choices, and her eye for visual juxtaposition, conjures a unified passion on Veronica's canvases which can also be traced to her long interest in music. Veronica has spoken of song as a major influence for her, and with a composer's skill she has woven a harmonious sensibility into her work.
Like classical music, her paintings contain a confident ability to bring forth feelings and moods from the purely abstract. A forceful visual rhythm pervades Sonya Veronica's intense yet buoyant works, offering us a cohesive visual whole that explores light and dark as mutually dependent artistic entities. She was born in Surabaya, Indonesia, and lives and works in Melbourne, Australia.
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Salute
"Salute"
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Cest La Vie
"Cest La Vie"
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Sally West
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The soul of Australia breathes life into the lush abstract paintings of Sally West. Working in acrylic, charcoal and mixed media, West creates complex configurations of bold shapes and mesmerizing line work that have a deep connection to the ancient cultures of the land. The eye darts around the canvas, as the dance of dazzling multi-layered hues and evocative, primal symbols delight the intellect.
West’s artistic journey has been enriched by extensive travels throughout the Asian subcontinent and Europe. Yet her true inspiration comes from the memories of her rural upbringing in New South Wales and of the cultural lifeways of the first-peoples of Australia whose impact can be felt throughout the outback. “I think some of my work is inspired by the aboriginal's use of colour and graphic representation of the landscape,” West asserts. West is very active in the arts community and her work has been displayed throughout Australia, including Sydney and Melbourne, and she has recently gained representation in New York.
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Earth Wind Water
"Earth Wind Water"
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Carnivale
"Carnivale"
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