BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND, AUS - August 2016 - / Emerging Brisbane artist Gillian Smith announces solo exhibition, Salty Eyes, at Aspire Gallery.

Gillian was the winner of the public vote at Aspire Gallery’s recent competition, Petite Pieces, which included over 200 artworks from approximately 100 local Brisbane artists. On receiving news of the award, Gillian stated, “It has been a very exciting year of creation for me. I was very honoured to learn that I had received the public vote prize and to know that my art was enjoyed and embraced by so many.”

The prize includes the opportunity for a solo exhibition, which will showcase Gillian’s recent collection of seascapes and portraits.  The exhibit opens August 3rd and continues through August 20th. An opening night will be held in the gallery August 6th from 4.30-6.30pm. The public is welcome to attend.

Located in Brisbane’s premier art precinct Aspire Gallery is primarily a rental gallery for the arts community. Supporting both emerging and long standing professional artists, Aspire Gallery offer a number of themed calls throughout the year. The Gallery is located at 53 Kennedy Tce Paddington Queensland. They are open Wed-Sat 10.30am-4.30pm Tel.07 3368 1514

About the Artist:

Emotion is a driving force behind all of Gillian Smith’s work. Originally trained as a concert pianist, Gillian was encouraged to paint the images in her mind to depict the pieces she was performing. Color and light are essential elements of music. Now an emerging artist Gillian sees her paintings as a performance. Initially concentrating as an abstract artist, Gillian felt the images in her head were becoming more figurative and distinct in terms of subject. In order to capture emotional and expressive moments of the human face she began studying portraiture under Keith Burt.

A very eventful year, 2016 also saw her accepted as part of the Petite Pieces, Foot Square and Mythical exhibitions at Aspire Gallery in Brisbane. A member of Art West she was included in their Foundation Exhibition. She was part of the CAS (Contemporary Art Society) of Victoria’s A4 Art which opened as part of a national group exhibition at the Herring Island Gallery, Melbourne. Her abstract and seascape work was also well received with special merit awards from Light, Space and Time Online Gallery and her portrait Salty Eyes received a special recognition award in their Figurative call. Gillian was published in ArtAscent’s Heat issue, for which she received a distinguished artist award.

Contact Gillian Smith:

Website:  http://gilliansmith1973.wix.com/gilliansmithart

Email:      gillian.smith1973@gmail.com