Artist’s Statement
Monica’s work explores themes of nature and embraces a whimsical narrative in which she conveys a sense of wonder about the world around her, using these themes as observations of the human condition. Monica’s attention to the details of everyday experiences forms the foundation of her practice and invite the viewer to join her on a visual expedition into realms where every living thing is sacred and anything is possible. She is currently working on a new body of paintings where she is busy expl
Biography
1978-80 - Pottery apprenticeship with Errol Barnes at Lyrebird Ridge Gallery Springbrook in the Gold Coast Hinterland.
Early 1980’s - Studied Fine Arts at Seven Hills Art Collage. Subjects - Ceramics, Painting, Drawing, Sculpture.
Mid 1980’s - Taught Pottery Classes at “Kitty Art Pottery” in Brisbane.
1990 - 2000 - Co-ordinated Amfora studio with my sister Clairy Laurence. At our gallery in Red Hill, Brisbane where we showed local emerging artists. The gallery evolved into a studio/gallery where a group of Amfora artists produced work and held exhibitions. firstly in the Brisbane City Arcade, and then to Paddington, Brisbane.
1990 - 1999 - Produced and sold a range of domestic ware pottery with my husband David Usher at the Pier Craft Markets and also at the Brisbane Art Gallery Shop.
2002 - Started a business at the Paddington Antique Centre selling vintage and antique jewellery.
2014 - Moved to Toowoomba and started painting full time.
Influences
Lot. Some are : Albrecht Durer (genies- 1471-1528) - Hans Holbein the younger (court painter for Henry VIII) - Camille Corot (Parisian tonalist landscape painter 1796-1875) -Jan Mankes (Dutch painter 1889-1920) - William Robinson (still living Australian landscape painter) - Richard Dunlop, who kindly let me watch him paint and showed me botanicals were a worthwhile subject. For me these people inspire because of the way they capture the otherness of things.
Awards
No
Exhibitions
2016 - Part of a joint show. “Above and Below” showing 15 watercolours at the Graydon Gallery New Farm.
2017 - First solo show of 30 oil paintings. “Remnants of a Night Garden” in the Cam Robertson Gallery at the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery
- Solo show of around 30 oil paintings “The Invisible Fish” in the Cam Robertson Gallery at the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery
2020 - Joined Alexandra Lawsons artists on her online gallery
2021 - Part of joint show at ALG Toowoomba City “Satellites”
2021 - “Bellow the Surface” joint show with Rhi Johnston at Lasso Gallery Toowoomba CityWebsite
Showing the single artwork
