Artist’s statement

After years of working actively as an artist, painting a wide range of subjects, Liz has become increasingly focused on figures. She is fascinated by the figure in a setting; both three and two dimensional. She loves the concept of combining strong design elements with powerful figure images which often confront the viewer directly. It is in this contrast that she delights, in the extravagance of pure decorative beauty juxtaposed with figures powerful in their presence and rich in painterly skill. Since arriving in Perth, Australia last year, the intensity of the light and colour of the Perth beaches have inspired her passion for figures in a new context.

“The aim of life is to live, and to live means be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware ” - Henry Miller

Professional Profile

Liz completed a Bachelor of Fine Art in 1988 at Rhodes University, South Africa.

She has worked as a professional artist since 1993. Prior to this she worked in community radio, where she was involved in broadcasting, design and layout work. Liz has taught art at the Rustenburg Technical College in South Africa as well as privately. The greater part of her career has been devoted to painting and exhibiting in galleries and her own private studio. Liz has been an active artist over the last 15 years, painting a wide range of subject matter, becoming increasingly focussed on figure painting.

Experience

Artist

Liz has had an active career as an artist since her university days.

She has exhibited and sold paintings across South Africa and has had numerous commissions for both private and corporate entities. Her clients range from personal associates, corporate companies, interior decorators and galleries.

Her paintings have included a wide range of subjects including personal portraiture, flowers, landscapes and figures. Some of her more recent commissions include landscapes for Anglo Platinum and XStrata , both major mining houses in South Africa. Liz has also enjoyed the completion of a suite of paintings of historic, political and socially iconic figureheads for the décor of the popular Smith and Wollensky Restaurant in Sandton, Johannesburg.

Since moving to Perth last year, she has shown work with LK and Hang Galleries and exhibited at the Newman Festival and Stirling Art exhibition.

Art Mentor

Technical College Rustenburg South Africa, 1994.P

Private art lessons/mentoring, Rustenburg, 1993 - 2000.

Liz Gray:

Designer and draftsperson

Claude Neon, Welkom, South Africa, July 1991 - April 1992.

Designed and drafted neon lights from planning and design to production stage

Broadcaster and layout artist

Radio Pulpit, Pretoria, South Africa, January 1989 - June 1991.

Prepared content for, and presented a children’s programme, conducted interviews for news programs. Produced a monthly newsletter.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Art with Honours -1988 (majors- Painting and Philosophy of Art)

Attended a summer school at University of Cape Town 1990 - Exploring Creativity

Liz Gray:

Exhibitions and Awards

1985 -1987 Winner of annual Rhodes merit award

1986 - 1987 Winner of Eastern Province Fine Art Society student award

1985 - 1988 EPFSA exhibitions

1988 GAP exhibition

1985 - 1988 Various student and staff exhibitions, including the annual Grahamstown festival exhibitions

1989 2 man show at St Albans College, Pretoria

1991 Goldfields Artist of the Year Award

1992 Goldfields exhibition, Welkom Arts Association exhibition

1995 Gallery Viljee group exhibition, Rustenburg Arts Association group

1995 - 2005 Vincent Art Gallery group exhibitions

Waterfall Gallery exhibitions in Rustenburg and Orange Free State

1999 Rustenburg Arts association exhibition

Commissioned by RPM mine for clubhouse painting

1998 Sandton Art and Frame Johannesburg - 2 man exhibition

2001 Benmore Art exhibition, Johannesburg

Commission- Set of 10 portraits for Smith & Wollensky restaurant

2003 Commissioned by Anglo Platinum for 2 large landscape works

2004 Sandown group exhibition

2005 Commissioned by Xtrata Mine for 4 landscape paintings

2007 Newman Art festival, Perth.

2007 Stirling Art exhibition

2007 ‘Artopia’ at Lumiere Gallery, Cottesloe

2007 ‘Fabric ‘n Flair’ exhibition Lumiere Gallery, Cottesloe

2008 ‘Perfect Beauty’ exhibition at Lumiere Gallery, Cottesloe