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CHRISTOBEL BENNETT

b. 1943 Balaklava, South Australia

STATEMENT

From 1971 to 1994, Christobel Bennett lived on the south coast of Western Australia at Hopetoun. There, the rugged coastline and the bush made a lasting impact on her art. During this time she studied History of Art and Drawing through TAFE, and organised and took part in workshops and summer schools at Hopetoun and Ravensthorpe with tutors from Fremantle Arts Centre.

During 1993, while travelling in the very different environment of Europe, Bennett painted on location and produced a large amount of material, some of which has been used as the basis for larger works. In 1994, Bennett moved to Perth and took up full time studies at the University of Western Australia.   She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1999 after completing Honours in History and cognate studies in Fine Arts.

Bennett has won painting awards in Perth and regional centres, and is represented in government, corporate and private collections. The coastline and bush remain the subjects closest to her heart.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

• 1995 Drabble Gallery, Guildford Grammar School
• 1992 Ric’s Gallery, Dalkieth
• 1990 Ric’s Gallery, Dalkieth
• 1989 Fremantle Arts Centre
• 1986 Old Cannery Gallery, Esperance
• 1984 Esperance Civic Centre

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

• 1997 Autumn Exhibition, Drabble Gallery
• 1996 Creative Spirit - Arica Gallery
• Centenary Exhibition - works from the collection of Guildford Grammar School, Guildford
• 1995 The Docks - Festival of Fremantle Invitation Exhibition
• 1994 Ric’s Gallery, WA Week Exhibition
• 1993 Houghton’s Winery, Upper Swan
• 1989 Vincent Gallery, Adelaide
• Our Town – Our Place - Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle
• 1988 Drabble Gallery, Guildford
• 1982 10th Anniversary Exhibition - Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle
• Ravensthorpe Artists in Kalgoorlie

PRIZES AND COMMISSIONS

Watercolour awards - Williams Art Award (1991), Narrogin Art Prize (1990), Albany Art Prize (1990), Katanning Art Prize (1989), Kalgoorlie Art Competition (1987)

Other awards - City of Nedlands Bi-centennial Art Award (1988), Shire of Swan Heritage Award (1988), Lake Grace Festival Prize (1987), Esperance Shire Art Award (1986)

COLLECTIONS

Artbank (Australian Government), Parliament House (Perth), Western Mining Corporation, Hamersley Iron Pty. Ltd., Nedlands City Council, Shire of Swan Heritage Collection, Esperance Port Authority, City of Albany, Shire of Katanning, Shire of Lake Grace, Shire of Esperance, Shire of Ravensthorpe and Shire of Jerramungup, Esperance Senior High School, Guildford Grammar School and private collections in the United States of America, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Australia

TRAVEL AND ART PRACTICE

Scandanavia, England, Scotland, France, Italy, Spain, Indonesia, New Zealand and Australia.