Robert Avitabile
Artist Statement
Before moving to Geelong about four years ago, Robert Avitabile lived in the Otway Ranges for sixteen years. It's only since moving away from the Otways that he has created this series of watercolours for his exhibition, Otway Improvisation .
“The Otways have a soft strength, which I have tried to capture in a minimal way. I have used a wet into wet style of watercolour which evolves before my eyes, and when I begin putting down colours, I really I have no idea of the final outcome of each painting. These simple watercolour paintings are of subconscious, remembered landscapes and the search for fleeting effects of atmosphere. They are about light as it filters across valleys, or of mist rising through dark, wet forests.”
1986 Worldly Goods Gallery, Colac "Mixed Show" (Drawings & Paintings).
1989 Artery Gallery, Geelong "Nudes" (Drawings).
1989 Artery Gallery, Geelong "R.A.R.E. 3" (Drawings).
1990 Davidson Gallery, at Tolarno, Melbourne "Eclectic" (Paintings & Drawings).
of Australia". (Drawings for "World Heritage Sites Australia" series of 4 envelopes.
(Pastel & Watercolour.)
1994 Arts Colac "A Showing of Art" (Painting, Lithograph & Mixed Media).
1995-99 Feral Fine Art Gallery, Forrest (Drawings and Lithographs).
2001 The Gordon Gallery, Geelong “Look What I Did” (Graphic Design pieces and collage.).
2003 Little Malop Gallery, Geelong “Inaugural Exhibition” (Watercolours)
1986 Elgin Gallery, Melbourne Illustrations for “Old Days-Old Ways” by Dame Mary Gilmore
(Watercolours & Pencil Drawings).
1990 Davidson Gallery, at Tolarno Melbourne "Breaking the Surface" (Paintings & Drawings).
1991 Glenample Homestead, Princetown (Drawings, Lithographs & Paintings).
National Gallery of Australia.
Various private collections in Australia.
1998 ‘Environmental Art Award' at Warrnambool Regional Gallery.
1998 ‘Creative Woodwork Prize' Otway Harvest Festival, Forrest Victoria.
2003 Birregurra Art Show, Birregurra Victoria.