A short history

I’ve been surrounded by art for as long as I can remember. During school, I was lucky enough to be individually tutored alongside my regular studies in painting, printmaking, pottery, sculpture, and photography. That early immersion led to an offer to study painting at the Victorian National Gallery School; however, my father insisted I pursue a degree in Design Communications at Swinburne

and RMIT. There, I studied History of Art under two of Australia’s most respected art historians, Morris Cantlan and Betty Churcher. From that foundation, I channelled my creative ability into building a successful advertising career, collecting more than 30 national and international creative awards - from the New York Festivals and London Internationals to the MADC, ADMA, AWARD Sydney, Asia Pacific Stevie Awards, and a Cannes Lion. After Cannes, I was honoured to represent Australia as a creative judge at the festival.

All the while, I kept painting and printmaking. In 2003, I joined the Australian Print Workshop in Fitzroy, developing a series of figurative etchings and aquatints for a solo exhibition. Two years later, I began formal training in Coptic icon writing under the patronage of the Patriarch of Melbourne, and later I broadened my practice through workshops with Peter Griffen in Sydney.
From 2014 to 2016, I shared studios with well-known Australian artists William Eicholtz and David Milne, which was both inspiring and formative. I’ve also been fortunate with commissions and exhibitions - from painting the portrait of the editor of Money magazine in 2014, to submissions for the Sulman Prize and Edinburgh Art Prize (where I received a special mention and a People’s Choice top-five placing). My work has also been recognised closer to home, with recognition at the Cleveland National Art Awards in Dunedin.

My style is deeply influenced by the Nerdrum School - restoring the traditions of classical painting - as well as my training in icon writing, which invites viewers to “read” my work as layered narratives. I believe paintings should stay with you, lingering in
your mind long after you’ve stepped away.
 

My work is represented by Moray Gallery, Dunedin.