GALLERY ONE MITCHAM
GALLERY ONE SMALLACOMBE PORTRAIT PRIZE 2024
PRESENTING THE JUDGES
Megan Roodenrys
After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Art from The University of South Australia in 1996 Megan established a presence in South Australia as a painter who exhibited regularly in commercial galleries and was successful in both local and international competitions. In particular she was selected as a finalist in the BP Portrait prize hosted by the Portrait Gallery in London, the Archibald prize and the Doug Moran portrait prize.
After expanding her practice into commissioned pieces and teaching she returned to tertiary studies in 2021, gaining a First Class Honours in Creative Art in 2022 and winning the Constance Gordon-Johnson Sculpture Prize.
Her studies continue in 2023.
Megan's current work explores the interconnection of the natural world, neuroaesthetics, post-humanist philosophy and visual culture.
"I am fascinated by the ability of visual art to seduce the eye and to open the mind. Visual Art communicates in a way that is both direct and subversive."
Megan divides her time between Adelaide, traditional country of the Kaurna people and Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula, traditional country of the Barngarla people.
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Megan Roodenrys
Waiting for the day
Oil on linen
200 x 167cm
Rob Gutteridge
Rob Gutteridge is the founding Director and Principal Teacher of the Rob Gutteridge School of Classical Realism in Adelaide where he now teaches. His atelier school and teaching methods are based on French academies of the nineteenth century, where traditional skills based training in realist drawing and painting can be traced back to the Renaissance. He has held 28 solo exhibitions and participated in over 80 group exhibitions. He has a Diploma of Fine Art (Painting) from the S. A. School of Art, Graduate Diploma of Adult Education, and Graduate Diploma of Visual Arts. He has received various scholarships to study at international art schools including the New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture, and the Atelier Internationale d’Artistique, Seguret, Provence, France. He has been Head of Drawing and Printmaking at Adelaide Central School of Art where he taught for 24 years. He is an elected Associate Member of the Society of Graphic Fine Art, London (ASGFA). He was selected for the 2011 Malaysia/Australia Visual Arts Residency at Rimbun Dahan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and in 2012 was artist in residence at Redgate Gallery, Beijing, China. His works are in the public collections of the Art Gallery of South Australia, South Australian Museum of Natural History, Artbank and numerous national and international private collections. In 2018 Rob was accepted into the I. Repin Russian Academy of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, Russia, to attend the Summer School in Academic Figure Drawing and Painting.
Rob Gutteridge
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Rob Gutteridge
Avril Thomas
Avril Thomas, born in Malaysia, has enjoyed a lifetime of drawing and until 1996 it was essentially was a private pursuit. Whilst living in Queensland Avril’s talent was recognised and was asked to teach.
On returning to South Australia she has participated in many joint and solo, local, national and international exhibitions, she is a full time practicing Artist.
Her main focus is portraiture in charcoal, graphite, pastel and oil, all with a tonal realist style. Avril’s original art works can be found in Hong Kong, U.S.A. as well as round Australia in corporate and private collections.
Prints of her works are available globally.
Commissions
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The portrait of Alexander Downer, “The Minister from Downunder” for the 2005 Archibald Prize, made Avril a finalist.
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Commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery to paint Her Excellency Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, Governor of South Australia
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Commissioned by Flinders University to paint Vice Chancellor Anne Edwards
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Commissioned by Adelaide University School of Medicine to paint and draw key people in the Medical profession for the 125th Anniversary of the school exhibition another marathon effort – “A day in the life exhibition” 59 images were created for this exhibition.
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Commissioned by Monash University to paint a suite of portraits for the faculty of Science and J. L. (Les) Williams portrait for the School of Physics
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Portrait of Bazil Hetzel portrait “The Remedy” now on display at the Bazil Hetzel institute. Was used by the great man himself at Uni SA’s exhibition to celebrate his achievements May 2012
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Commissioned by Jayco Australia and NZ to paint Gerry Ryan OAM
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Commissioned by Scotch College to paint Principal John Newton
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Commissioned by Immanuel College to paint Principal Kevin Richardson
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Avril Thomas
The Prayer meeting
Graham Dunstan
Graham Dunstan studied Visual Arts after an established working history in the Electrical and Construction Industry. His passion for architecture, perspective and construction are evident in his work.
He completed a Visual Arts degree in 2016.
His art incorporates elements of architecture along with combining people and nature within this space. There are hints of the classical and these elements are melded together by modern drawing and painting practices.
The experience he has in the field of art is broad and maintains that his electrical career experiences are closely aligned with the work he produces. He strongly believes that you paint, sculpt and draw from who you are and his wealth of experience is captured in his art work.
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Dunstan is influenced by the works of the old masters and is passionate about the art of Michael Angelo, John Constable along with contemporary artists Lucian Freud, George Condo and Colin Davidson.
Graham Dunstan
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Graham Dunstan
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Trevor
Newman
Born in 1954; I showed an early interest and ability in drawing. From the age of 13 I attended an art class for adults run by well-known Adelaide artist, Reg Hicks. From 1973 to 1977 I attended the South Australian School of Art on a Commonwealth scholarship, obtaining a diploma of fine art painting.
On leaving art school I began working for the art gallery of South Australia in the conservation department. After 18 months I transferred to the South Australian Museum as an Exhibition officer.
In 1997 I left the museum to peruse my lifelong passion for painting. I have been influenced by artists including Robert Hannaford, Sir Ivor Hele, Sir Hans Heysen, the Heidelberg School, Rembrandt and the English painter Edward Seago (a favourite of the Royals).
I was fortunate enough in 2000 to be invited to have my first solo exhibition at The Cedars, at Hahndorf, the family home of Sir Hans Heysen.
I have won over 100 prizes; I have had works published in two international publications- Stroke of Genius and Shades of Gray. My work can be found in collections in Europe, Asia, United States, Canada and Australia. I have been a finalist in the Fleurieu Art Prize, the Waterhouse Prize and the Characters of the Fleurieu, to mention a few. I am a sought-after tutor and judge. I continue to pursue my passion for portraiture, landscape, still life and the teaching of traditional base skills so often undervalued in the art world today.
Trevor Newman
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Trevor Newman