General News
18 January, 2024
Exhibition headed to Avoca
Born in Durham, England in 1935, Winston Barnett has drawn and painted for as long as he can remember. As well as being held in private collections throughout the world, his work has been exhibited at many galleries, including the Royal Academy...
Born in Durham, England in 1935, Winston Barnett has drawn and painted for as long as he can remember. As well as being held in private collections throughout the world, his work has been exhibited at many galleries, including the Royal Academy London.
“Art has always been important. The first drawing I did which was exhibited locally was of the Battle of Britain in 1945 when I was 10 years old,” Winston said.
This love of drawing led Winston to a distinguished career in architecture and academia. After establishing an award-winning architectural firm in the UK, he was appointed Head of the School of Architecture at the University of Technology Sydney, where he stayed until his retirement in 2004.
Now nearly 90 and living near the bush on the outskirts of Maryborough, Winston’s art reflects his love of both countries he has called home. His studio — “The Shed” — at the back of his home is clearly the workshop of a busy artist, filled with an eclectic mix of sculptures, abstracts, drawings and paintings.
“There is landscape, the human figure and abstract,” Winston said.
“Some are a collage where different pieces of things make up an image. I do tiny landscapes and big landscapes; some have a bit of local architecture you can spot in them. I am inspired by the bush and have done a collage with fragments of the Maryborough Railway Station which is quite beautiful.”
Winston is currently busy preparing his work for an upcoming exhibition at Avoca’s Gallery 127. The exhibition will include The Eden Men Series, inspired by the colliery workers in Consett, whose work was vital during the Second World War; as well as the Northumberland Landscapes Series, illustrating the wild beauty and big skies seen in the north of England.
“I have deliberately selected small paintings to fit well in the gallery space,” Winston said.
“The exhibition is a mixture of styles and I will be there at the opening so people can meet and have a chat about what inspires my art.”
Eden to Outback by Winston Barnett will officially open at Avoca’s Gallery 127 on Saturday, February 3, with light refreshments from 2 pm.