When inspiration strikes, local artist Brenda Hall channels her creativity into pieces that showcase the beauty of nature.
As the 2024 winner of the 11th Annual 4017 Community Exhibition, Brenda’s pieces will be on display at the Artrageous Community Arts Centre when her exhibition opens this month.
“I truly wasn’t expecting to win,” Brenda said. “I enter this local competition each year to support Artrageous and to be part of our creative community. Receiving the prize of a solo exhibition is an incredible honour – something I never would have pushed myself to pursue otherwise.”
Recognition, Community and Exhibition
The annual 4017 Community Exhibition is open to those who reside in the 4017 postcode area and those affiliated with the Artrageous Community Arts Centre. The competition is judged by a practising professional artist who provides feedback to the entrants. Those who display their work have the chance to secure the big prize – a solo exhibition the following year.
Artrageous Arts artist-in-residence Shane Rodwell said the competition provided local artists with an opportunity to showcase their work.
“The 4017 exhibition, in particular, is a good community one because it opens up the field of play for anyone in the nearby community, in the local 4017 area to take that leap, especially if they haven’t shown their art before,” Shane said.
Brenda said she had always seen herself as a creative person but decided to pursue her creativity more seriously through art classes. She has been painting for 10 years now.
“These early lessons taught me the fundamentals, but over time my style has evolved and these days I mainly paint intuitively – rarely knowing exactly how the work will unfold,” she said. “It’s a process of discovery every time I pick up a brush.
“Much of my inspiration comes from being out amongst nature. Every leaf, branch and rock tell a story. I find myself drawn to organic lines and shapes.”
With a wealth of artists and those aspiring to better their skills, Shane said the art community in the Sandgate region was doing well.
“If you have a healthy, creative community, it means the wellbeing of the community is in pretty good shape,” he said. “There’s the Sandgate Art Society, the pottery club and Artrageous Arts and they have all been going for quite a few years, turning out a lot of really, really good professional artists, as well as students going through the doors who have learned skills and moved on. It shows the community itself is in a good place and the same goes for many communities all over Australia.”
Every spare minute Brenda has is spent in her studio. She said preparing for her upcoming exhibition was an intense, but rewarding experience.
“I can truly say it has helped me grow in my creative ability,” she said. “People can expect to see a mix of abstract pieces that explore colour, texture and line, along with some representational pieces.
“My favourite piece is the one that won me the solo exhibition. It is an abstract piece titled Rock Pools. This piece uses the triadic colours of the colour wheel (purple, green and orange) and also has great composition, depth and balance. Everything turned out perfect.”
Brenda’s exhibition opens on Friday, 13 June and the 12th Annual Community 4017 Exhibition opens Friday, 11 July, at 6.30pm at Gallery 4017, Artrageous Arts, 82-88 Loftus Street, Deagon. For further information, visit www.artrageous.org.au/
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