Artists

Desley Rolph

Bio  /  CV

Desley Rolph Bio Desley Rolph has been painting professionally for approximately 20 years. In 2014 Desley completed a MAVA, at QCA, Griffith University, which saw her major project embrace the plein air tradition, completing 42 small works documenting the landscape and recreational spaces of Mt Coot-tha, including a 360 degree view where visible, of Brisbane. Previously she completed diploma studies in painting, drawing, and sculptural ceramics. "For me plein air captures the immediacy of the landscape before me, which I often use as fodder for studio works. They are finished works in their own right." Desley's studio works explore a creative process describing the landscape in which we live. She creates atmospheric landscape paintings that tell a story of mystery and intrigue. Through introducing ethereal elements such as wind blowing pollens, birds in murmuration, figures moving through the landscape or skies, Her paintings are aimed at creating a dreamlike atmosphere in your home that engages the imagination. Desley has been a finalist in several industry respected national competitions, and her work has been purchased in private and corporate collections both in Australia and overseas. “I want my paintings to express a sense of mystery and intrigue and leave the viewer contemplating about its story or journey. My passion to paint the landscape is more than a mere representational image, however while a sense of the landscape image is important, it is more important for me to convey an emotional response that leaves something for the imagination to explore. The Australian landscape to me is pretty special. Nowhere else in the world that I have travelled has enticed me in the same way. I believe the heartbeat that exists within our landscape is palpable and I hope that my paintings in some way reveal this energy to those who experience them.”

Background
Born in 1958 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Resides
Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Education
MAVA, Queensland College of Art, Griffith University, QLD – awarded Certificate of Academic Excellence
Dip Visual Arts, TAFE QLD
Certificate of Assessment and Workplace Training, NC Training Services
Diploma courses in painting, sculptural ceramics, life drawing, Brisbane Institute of Art, QLD

Individual Exhibitions
2014 – The Mount Coot-Tha Project, Woolloongabba Art Gallery, Brisbane, QLD
2014 – The Mount Coot-Tha Project, The Project Gallery, Queensland College of Art, MAVA
2013 – Vista, Woolloongabba Art Gallery, Brisbane, QLD
2011 – Ride the Wind, The Gallery Eumundi, Sunshine Coast, QLD
2010 – Bunginderry II, White Canvas Gallery, Brisbane. Qld.
2010 – Bunginderry, The Gallery Eumundi, Sunshine Coast, QLD
2009 – Swamp Magic, Ardleigh Cleveland Gallery, The Hyatt Coolum, Coolum Beach, QLD
2009 – The Ethereal Landscape, The Gallery Eumundi, Sunshine Coast, QLD (SOLD OUT)
2008 – An Obscure Connection, Cool Art Gallery, Coolum Beach, QLD (SOLD OUT)
2008 – The Sublime Landscape – The Annexe Gallery, Sydney, NSW
2008 – Women from the Desert & their Stories, Robyn Bauer Studio Gallery, Paddington, Brisbane, QLD
2008 – Desert Symphony, CCAE, Harriet Space, Harriet Place, Darwin
2008 – FRAG, Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW
2008 – Cool Art, Coolum Beach, QLD
2007 – Silent Presence, RM Galleries, Brisbane, QLD
2006 – Taken by the Wind, RM Galleries, Hamilton, Brisbane, QLD
2006 – Hovering, RM Galleries, Hamilton, Brisbane, QLD
2006 – Stillness & Quiet, McCulloch Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
2005 – Other Dimensions, Ascot Art Gallery, Brisbane, QLD
2004 – Double Exposure, Cool Art, Coolum Beach, QLD
2004 – Politics of Landscape, previewed at QUT Gallery, Brisbane, QLD
2004 – Politics of Landscape, Angela Robarts-Bird Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
2004 – Hotel Grand Chancellor, Brisbane, QLD – sponsored by the Queensland Arts Council
2003 – “Recent Landscapes”, Studio Red, Redcliffe, QLD
2003 – “Moodism”, 60 Merivale Street, Brisbane, QLD
2002 – “Mood Scapes”, Art Café, Manly, QLD
2002 – “Passages & Pathways”, Caloundra Regional Gallery, QLD
2002 – “Searching Spectrum” Doggett Street Studio, Brisbane, QLD

Selected Group Exhibitions
2019 – In Situ, Cool Art Gallery, Coolum Beach, QLD
2018 – TWELVE Exhibition, Cool Art Gallery, Coolum Beach, QLD
2017 – New Beginnings, Cool Art Gallery, Coolum Beach, QLD
2014 – Masters Graduate Exhibition, Queensland College of Art, Griffith University, QLD
2013 – Asia Contemporary Art Show, Hong Kong, The Gallery Eumundi
2013 – What Still Holds, PoP Gallery Brisbane, QLD Masters Students QCA
2010 – 2013 – Bunginderry Touring Exhibition, Artslink Queensland
2008 – January Exhibition – 4 girls, Frances Reilly Gallery, Eumundi, Sunshine Coast, QLD
2008 – There’s Something About our Landscape, Queensland Arts Council
2007 – Art from the Stable, RM Galleries, Brisbane, QLD
2006 – Art from the Stable (end of year show), RM Galleries, Brisbane, QLD
2006 – Tutors Exhibition, Brisbane Institute of Art, QLD
2006 – Drawn by Lines, Caloundra Regional Gallery, Sunshine Coast, QLD
2006 – Landscapes, The Purple Boot Collective, Bundaberg Arts Centre, QLD
2005 – The Director’s Choice, Ascot Art Gallery, Brisbane, QLD
2004 – The Purple Boot Collective touring regional galleries throughout Queensland – sponsored by Queensland Arts Council
2004 – Churchie Emerging Art Prize, Brisbane, QLD
2004 – Cromwell’s Art Prize, Sydney, NSW
2004 – Courier Mail Home Show, QLD
2004 – St Joseph’s Nudgee College, Arts & Crafts Festival, Brisbane, QLD
2003 – Waltzing Matilda Art Prize, Winton, QLD
2003 – Caloundra Arts & Crafts Festival, QLD
2003 – St Joseph’s Nudgee College, Arts & Crafts Festival, Brisbane, QLD
2003 – ASMA (Australian Society of Miniature Art) Exhibition, Gold Coast City Art Gallery, QLD
2002 – The Purple Boot Collective, Pine Rivers Regional Gallery, QLD

Touring Exhibitions
Artslink Queensland (formerly known as Queensland Arts Council)

Awards
2012 – Finalist, Kenilworth Art Prize, QLD
2010 – Finalist, Sunshine Coast Art Prize (SCAP), QLD
2010 – Finalist, Waltzing Matilda Art Prize, Winton, QLD
2010 – Finalist, Lethbridge $10,000 Small Scale Art Award, Brisbane, QLD
2010 – Invitational, Tattersalls Landmarks Exhibition, Brisbane, QLD
2008 – Invitational, Rotary Art Prize
2007 – Finalist entry, Heysen Prize for Australian Landscape
2005 – Invitational, Reflections of Life Art Prize, Brisbane, QLD (sponsored by Westpac Bank)
2004 – Bronze Award, St Joseph’s Nudgee College Arts & Crafts Festival, Brisbane, QLD
2004 – Finalist entry x 3, Churchie Emerging Artists Competition, Brisbane, QLD
2004 – Finalist entry Cromwell’s Art Prize, Sydney, NSW
2003 – Finalist entry Waltzing Matilda Art Prize, Winton, QLD
2003 – Bronze Award, St Joseph’s Nudgee College, Arts & Craft Festival, Brisbane, QLD
2002 – Encouragement Award, Caloundra Arts & Craft Festival, QLD

Grants
Pat Corrigan Grant
RADF & Arts Queensland

Corporate Collections
St Joseph’s Nudgee College
Redcliffe State High School
Good Vibrations Superannuation Fund
Inform
Holding Redlich Lawyers

Commissions
Corporate Art Centre, Burleigh, QLD
Leong Art Promotions
Numerous private commissions

Artist-in-Residencies
Studio Red, Redcliffe, QLD
St Margaret’s, Brisbane, QLD
Prince Charles Hospital, Mental Health Unit (locum), Brisbane, QLD

Teaching Appointments
TAFE – Painting Tutor
Brisbane Institute of Art – Painting Tutor
Brisbane Artist’s Academe – Painting Tutor, Professional Practice Tutor
Artrageous Community Arts Centre – Painting Tutor

Work

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