Gin Gin’s Suzanne Robinson is a pastels artist whose work will be seen on the other side of world as she takes part in international art exhibition in China.
She is also the president of the Gin Gin Regional Courthouse Gallery and the Pastel Society of Australia.
Growing up in the Queensland outback has given Suzanne a view on life she says she may have missed if she had grown up on the coast.
As a child she was exposed to the oldest form of pastel work in Australia, Aboriginal cave paintings, on her family property.
“The paintings are still there and I got to play in those caves as a toddler,” she told the crowd at last year’s Australia Art Expo.
“Cave painting was the beginning of pastel art basically as far as I see it.”
In October, Suzanne’s artwork will be displayed alongside 20 other pastel works from around the world at an exhibition in China.
She is one of two Australian artists chosen to exhibit in China, and says it’s a privilege.
“I don’t think they have invited Australia to take part before,” Suzanne said.
“To have two Australian artists invited is absolutely magical.
“I think the exposure we received from the Australian Art Expo held in Caloundra last year really put Australia on the map for pastels.”
Suzanne believes the international exhibition will open the doors for the pastel art world in Australia.
“We have come in leaps and bounds since the expo and even doubled our membership on a national level,” she said.
“This exhibition will show the rest of the world whatt we have here.”
After a previous Pastels in China event, Chinese artist and teacher Hang Mingshi, a master of pastel, shared this statement in the exhibition catalog:
“We’ve invited 20 pastel artists to exhibit together,” he said.
“Their creations bring us a feast for the eyes and set our sights beyond our eastern shore in developing the art of pastel.
“I ardently believe the international pastel exhibition will be staged every other year and the international art communities will build a strong supporting network with the Chinese artists.
“Together we will strive to explore all possibilities and become united though our art.”
Bush pastels ‘interesting’
Suzanne said working with pastels was “quite interesting” and while it wasn’t an easy medium to transport it was in fact a good medium to work with.
“To transport pastel work it can be difficult as it needs to travel behind glass (as the delicate work may smudge),” she said.
“But to work with, it’s beautiful, you don’t need water, and that’s why I find it perfect for the outback.”
The 62-year-old Gin Gin artist enjoys creating a variety of genres, from portraits to native flora and scenery pieces.
“One of the artworks I have sent to be selected for the exhibition is of a ghost gum on Lawn Hill,” Suzanne said.
“I created a play on light in this piece.”
Suzanne will hold an exhibition at the Gin Gin art gallery from the first Saturday in July where the community can go along and check out some of her artwork.
- Here+now exhibition showcases artistic diversity, including bush pastels
