". . . And then you get an artist like Kim Nelson. No obvious fixed style. He's fluid - realist, surrealist, symbolist, even abstract at times - but his women . . . Their beauty is strength. They stare at the viewer - or at the distant horizon - with a purpose. There's an almost tangible internal power in them, a confidence. They're modern and liberated, but not stereotyped. And they're beautiful. But they're nothing like Waterhouse's ideal. Nelson is a modern painter, painting modern women, even when his settings are classical. And his vision makes a statement. . . ."

- from the novel 'Double Exposure' by Brian Caswell

2008

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FEBRUARY

MARCH

Held in the historic home and gardens of Weetalabah.  Morning and afternoon teas by Yass Red Cross.  Artwork donated for fundraising. 

'Weetalabah'  92 Church Street Yass NS

APRIL

The Oaktree Foundation auction will provide South African children in Tintern's partner school (Qhilika High) with an education and a promising future. Artist's from around Australia and the world have donated artwork to this worthy auction/exhibition.  All money raised will go to a project called 'Schools4Schools' which is run by the Oaktree Foundation, Melbourne and is associated with 'Make Poverty History'.  MPH is part of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty involving about 80 countries that aims to end the injustice of poverty. It is the largest anti-poverty movement in history.

MAY

Shirley Hannan National Portrait Awards

Kim Nelson's painting 'Muse IV' has been chosen as a finalist in the Shirley Hannan National Portrait Awards. The model for this artwork was the his daughter Caitlin.

The awards are a celebration of realistic portraiture and are becoming nationally recognised as the pre-eminent showcase for realistic portraiture in Australia. Sadly the awards patron Mrs Shirley Hannan passed away in late 2005. However her passion for portraiture lives on in this exhibition. The Awards boast a first prize of $30,000 and are held at the Bega Regional Gallery. The exhibition attracts many of Australia’s most prominent portrait painters and competition is intense.

Please click here for the Awards website

STOP PRESS:

Kim Nelson's artwork  'Muse IV',  though selected for the Shirley Hannan art award, unfortunately didn't make it to the Bega Regional Gallery for the exhibition and final judging.  Due to unforseen circumstances the artwork was not in Australia at the time of the exhibition.

Pan Macmillan Publishing

Kim has just finished an artwork for the publishers Pan MacMillan and designed three other covers for the company.  The artwork will grace the cover of a new novel by historical fantasy writer Juliet Marillier, due for release later this year.

SEPTEMBER

Kim Nelson will be contibuting to the Crookwell District Community Trust art auction on Saturday 20th September 2008.

The CDCT assists individuals in the rural community in dealing with extreme difficulties resulting from personal trauma or natural disasters. Past aid has gone to those in need of urgent medical assistance, or have lost their homes due to fire. Due to the ongoing drought, as well as other economic pressures of living in rural Australia, members of the Trust are experiencing ever greater requests for assistance.

Further information contact Hank Spirek: hspirek@wirefree.net.au

OCTOBER

A series of works, elemental in nature, focusing on the sublime in the landscape. The title references the early 19th century German Romantic artist, Caspar David Friedrich.

Click on the above image to see a video preview for Kim Nelson's latest exhibition 'Thinking of Friedrich' created by his 16 year old daughter, Caitlin.

Click here to see images from the exhibition

NOVEMBER

Juliet Marillier

The new Juliet Marillier novel ‘Heir to Sevenwaters' will be released in November featuring the art by Kim Nelson. Publisher Pan MacMillan approached Kim Nelson late last year to create artwork for the new novel, the fourth in the ‘Sevenwater' series.

Juliet and Kim met during his Perth exhibition in 2007 and the writer encouraged her publishers to have the artist create an artwork for her new book. Pan Macmillan liked what they saw and commissioned Nelson to design the covers also of the re-issued back catalogue of the ‘Sevenwater' series. Nelson's design for the back catalogue features the art of the 19th century artist William Waterhouse. He painted his new artwork in keeping with the Waterhouse style.

Click on the image for an expanded view of the artwork.

New book – The art of Kim Nelson

United Galleries will launch a new book ‘The Art of Kim Nelson' at the opening of his solo exhibition ‘Thinking of Friedrich' on Thursday evening 30th October 2008.

It will be the gallery's inaugural publication under the new ‘United Editions' banner and will feature works from over the past decade. It will also feature articles by Robert Buratti of United Galleries and author/educator Brian Caswell.

The book will be a limited edition so anyone interested in purchasing a copy is encouraged to contact United Galleries via rburatti@unitedgalleries.com.au

Click the image for more information about The Art of Kim Nelson

Click here for past News & Exhibitions pages >>

LINKS

Gallery Details:

United Galleries PERTH
Contact: Robert Buratti
281 Newcastle St
Northbridge. WA 6003
T:  + 61 8 9427 5600
F:  + 61 8 9328 2503
W: www.unitedgalleries.com.au