John Orlando Birt
Artist’s Statement
John is a full time Melbourne based artist who has been painting professionally for the last 30 years.
Biography
I was born in Broken Hill N.S.W. Australia and educated in Adelaide South Australia where I attended the South Australian School of Art, studying Fine Art and Art History. Later I studied Industrial Design at the Institute of Technology to pursue a career in the automotive industry initially designing automobiles in Australia and then the USA, Japan and Italy, becoming Design Manager of Ford Asia/Pacific.
Influences
Invited member of Concillio Europeo dell’ Arte, Venice Italy.
Member of the Twenty Melbourne Painters Society Inc.
Member of The Watercolour Society of Australia.
Commissioned in London, England during 1998 to paint 2 works, one 7.5m x 2m and the second 2m x 2m, both Venetian subjects, for a private residence in Belgravia.
Lectured at the Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia, on drawing and perspective in 2002 and 2003.
The challenge of painting en plein air suits my art language, being aware with nature and the interpretation of light.Awards
RAAF Art Heritage Award 1991,1994 and 2002. A national award for Aviation Art.
Peninsular Searoad Award, Queenscliff, 1993
Camberwell Transportation Award 1993
Kenneth Jack Award 2013 Watercolour Society of Australia, and The People’s Choice Award.
McCubbin Medal Award 2019 Box Hill, VictoriaExhibitions
Solo exhibitions
Kensington Galleries, Adelaide 1992, 1993.
Barry Stern Gallery, Sydney 1994.
The Barn, McLaren Vale SA 1995.
Hilton Hotel and Adelaide Casino, South Australia 1995.
Kew Gallery Melbourne 1996. Delshan Gallery, Melbourne 1997.
Ridge Street Gallery 1998, Sydney.
Qantas First Class Lounge’s, Perth , Melbourne, Sydney, Darwin and Brisbane 1998.
Wall Street Exchange, Melbourne 1999.
Holly Snapp Galleries, Venice Italy 2000 to 2004.
The Art Lounge Sydney 2005.
Jenny Pihan Art 2007- 2017.
27 solo exhibitions in total.Website
Showing the single artwork
