ABOUT ROSE WILSON
Born in Albury NSW in 1964, Wilson studied at the National Art School and Darwin University, acquiring her BA (Visual Arts) at Newcastle University in 1997. She dedicates most of her time to portraiture and landscape.
She has been a practising artist for over 15 years. During that time she has been selected for the James Farrell Self Portrait Award, the Salon des Refusés 2010 and was a finalist in the Archibald Prize 2012, Doug Moran National Portrait Prize 2010 & 2018, and 3 times finalist Black Swan Prize in 2013 & 2015 & 2016.
Rose has completed studies at East Sydney Tech, Darwin University and Newcastle University acquiring her BAVA in 1995. Wilson has had extensive exhibitions in Darwin, Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne, Vietnam and regional Victoria receiving prizes, awards and a considerable amount of commissions. Wilson is very community-minded and was awarded the Heather Mutemor Honour Roll for community and the arts.
“Moving up North was the turning point in my art, where symbolism became a significant factor in constructing each work, which formed the basis of my artistic expression. Living in East Arnhem Land, for two years was an amazing experience and one I will always cherish, giving me the insight of storytelling through art.”
Rose Wilson – East Arnhem Land
Seventeen years ago Wilson moved to Regional Victoria in the Hepburn Shire where she works tirelessly in her studio, which overlooks Mt. Macedon. Her trademark in the past was her very popular oil sketches of Indigenous peoples from up north, but the landscape is big on the agenda as she immerses herself in the bush which is basically at her doorstep.
Wilson has had countless success with her art over the years, and even though her work has varied considerably, from colourful still life to powerful oil sketches and intense portraits, there are key elements that remain quite evident in her artwork, and that is the use of vibrant colour, symbolism and her unique textural surfaces that have become her trademark over the years.
Rose Wilson in her Fern Hill Studio – Image Tara Moore © 2019