Imbil abstract artist Pat Cale has attained international renown with work in collections in Australia and overseas.
She is also a regular competitor at the Mary Valley Art Festival.
As planning is finalised for this year’s event on 21-24 July in Imbil, Pat is prepping her brushes to prepare her entries.
The festival is run by art organisation Mary Valley Artslink, and president Heinke Butt said Pat was among the elite artists attracted to the annual festival, which this year offers more than $10,000 in prizes.
“We are very lucky to have her reside in the Mary Valley – she is a valued member of Mary Valley Artslink, as a mentor, previous judge and participant,” Ms Butt said.
Pat has been instrumental in sharing her deep understanding of life drawing with participants during regular life drawing sessions hosted by Mary Valley Artslink in Imbil.
Pat was raised in Northern Sudan and has been an artist all her life.
“That desert enigma has always dictated the economy of my work – I tend to pare it down until it appears deceptively simplistic,” Pat said.
After training in England, she came to Australia and immediately connected with the landscape. “The vast horizons and the subtle colours were as music to me,” she said.
“My work is a message of shared experience – if a piece can make a viewer look with deeper understanding, then I would call that successful.
“Humanity is very much part of my view of the landscape. I do teach but regard that role as guidance fundamentally, and I take care to pass on the skills that I have learned.
“I take pride in the fact that my students find their own voice through our shared time.
“This, the making of images, is my passion, gets me up in the morning and is, above all a privilege and a blessing.”
Artists from throughout South-East Queensland are encouraged to enter before 27 June. Entry forms and conditions can be found on the website maryvalleyartfestival.com.au
The festival will be held at the Imbil Public Hall from 21-24 July, 10am-3pm daily, with the gala opening night and awards on 22 July. It attracts hundreds of visitors to Imbil and includes a poets’ breakfast on 23 July.
A Long Sunday Luncheon with Soprano Donna Cain will be held on 10 July in Imbil to fund the Suzie Smith Youth Encouragement Award for the festival. Bookings eatwell@thegreenbowledifice.com.au
Inquiries to Heinke Butt on 0419 024291 or email info@maryvalleyartfestival.com.au
