SIMONE MAYNARD... ARTIST STATEMENT



Having traveled to Japan five times, including a four month stint living and painting in Osaka, much of Simone’s previous work has had a strong and recurring Japanese theme. In this body of work that influence is still prevalent, however there is an additional, underlying personal ‘cultural’ influence that is a lot closer to her own heart and heritage.



After losing her dear grandfather in 2009, Simone became increasingly curious about her own cultural background. Her grandfather was Russian and circumstances encouraged her to re-acquire a book of Russian fairytales and fables that he had given her as a child and that she remembered fondly. The similarities between these stories and the Japanese fables that she was quite familiar with was rather uncanny, thus in a sense blending a fascination with two cultures, Simone has produced the works seen in Femme, Folk and Fables.



The works explore childhood dreams; an escapism from reality to a fantastical world where anything is possible. There is a delicate balance of the dark and the dreamy… mixing innocence with mystery and perhaps even a little mischief.



“Whilst each piece is inspired by part of a particular folklore or fable, the character and story seemed to evolve in the process of the painting and then I believe continue to grow even after the work is completed.

Art is a visual language, and whilst I do try to create some sort of narrative in all my works I am constantly delighted and often even inspired by the viewers understanding and/or interpretation of the narrative.

My ultimate aim is to engage the viewer, hopefully enabling them  to be moved beyond first impressions and enter into a kind of visual dialogue with the work – ideally transforming that initial engagement  into a more tactile and meaningful realm.  I believe passionately that art can foster this process of transformation.”     -   Simone Maynard, April 2010





SIMONE MAYNARD



    D.O.B: 28.02.74



SOLO EXHIBITIONS



    2008 ‘Food and Desire II’ – Brunswick Street Gallery

                 ‘Food and Desire’ - Jackman Gallery

    2007 ‘Lullaby and Exile’ - Jackman Gallery

    2006 ‘Visiting Time is Over’ - Jackman Gallery

    2005 ‘Recurring Dream, Repeated Theme’ -Global Gallery

                 ‘Repeated Theme, Recurring Dream’ - Jackman Gallery

    2004 ‘Behind The Mask’ - Jackman Gallery

    2003 ‘Geiko Maiko’ - Jackman Gallery

    1997 V.A.S Gallery, East Melbourne



GROUP EXHIBITIONS



     2010 ‘Femme, Folk and Fables’ – Linton and Kay Contemporary, Perth ( 3 woman show)

                  ‘Dark Pop 2.0’ – Last Rites Gallery, New York

     2009 Prospect Portrait Prize, S.A – Selected Finalist & People’s Choice Award Winner

                  Corangamarah Art Prize – Selected Finalist

     2008  Kilgour Art Prize – Selected Finalist – Newcastle Region Art Gallery

                  ‘In the Language of Angels – Ad Hoc Art, Brooklyn, New York

                  Corangamarah Art Prize – Selected Finalist

                  Group Exhibition – Brunswick Street Gallery 

                 ‘Small Works’ – Brunswick Street Gallery

    2007 ‘Squared’ - Greenhill Galleries, Perth

                 Nellie Castan Gallery - Artists for Kids Culture

    2006 Jackman Gallery- Artists for Kids Culture Exhibition

    2005 Jackman Gallery- Artists for Kids Culture Exhibition

    2004 Jackman Gallery- Artists for Kids Culture Exhibition

                Cromwell’s Art Prize, Finalist – Touring Exhibition

                Jackman Gallery, St. Kilda

                Art House Gallery, Sydney

                Embassy of Australia, Washington D.C, U.S.A

                Affordable Art Show, Melbourne (Look Art)

                Works on Paper, Jackman Gallery, St. Kilda

                Jackman Gallery- Artists for Kids Culture Exhibition

                Affordable Art Show, Sydney (Jackman Gallery)

    2003 ‘Blue’ - Jackman Gallery, St. Kilda

    2002 ‘Black and White’ - Jackman Gallery, St. Kilda



COLLECTIONS

    Corporate: Nippondenso, Japan

    Private Collections: Australia, USA, UK, Europe and Canada



EDUCATION

    1990-92 Melbourne School of Art