The beauty and tranquility of the St George’s bays, parks and rivers that support the people of the area is the focus of Hurstville Museum & Gallery’s newest Dragon’s Lair Gallery exhibition, Luminosity.
This is the first solo exhibition of Sydney-based artist, Virginia Villa who has been a resident of the St George and Sutherland Shire region for the past 25 years.
Greatly inspired by the charm of Sydney and its waterways and gardens, Virginia has a love for exploring coastal towns and their relationship to the ocean.
The community and its relationship to the waterways is a constant source of inspiration for Virginia and her work. Her practice incorporates the quiet study of these areas and unmasking the beauty to be found.
“I feel a strong connection to nature and am drawn to painting landscapes, still life and marine art, searching for moments of raw beauty, luminosity and movement,” she said.
“Embracing spontaneity and imperfection, I love to be swept away by the emotions of a landscape, nature or environment, memories, music and travel. I try to convey the awe and love I experience in my surroundings.”
Georges River Council Mayor Nick Katris said, “We as a community are so grateful and appreciative of the majestic Georges River, and our bays and parks; it is wonderful that they are beautifully captured in this wonderful exhibition.”
Formally trained in Photography, and later completing a Diploma of Graphic Design, Virginia is now focused on working in watercolour but also embraces working in gouache, pastel and charcoal.
“There is something magical about the movement and luminosity of watercolour that fills my world with joy.
“Watercolour allows me to work quickly with bold expressive marks, I strive to instill my work with energy of the environment and my hope is to share this with you.”
The artist’s use of watercolour in previous paintings has scored her the Curator’s Choice Award, Victorian Art Society/Australian Society of Marine Artists Maritime Exhibition 2022, Category winner – SGAS 2022 Annual Exhibition – Watercolour category 2022, and Highly commended – SGAS 2021 Online Exhibition -Watercolour category 2021.
The exhibition will open Saturday 20 May and run until 18 June 2023.
Event: Luminosity Exhibition Opening
When: Saturday 20 May 2023, 2.30pm
Where: Hurstville Museum & Gallery, 14 MacMahon Street, Hurstville
