About Colleen DaRosa
Colleen DaRosa uses a range of media to explore the central concerns in her art practice. DaRosa developed the thesis of ‘slow’ light in her studies for a Bachelor of Visual Arts at Southern Cross University from which she graduated in 2014 with first class honours.
Slow light is conceived as the way natural ambient light is constantly changing its effect on a work. It is an antidote to the fast light constantly seeking attention. A contemplative slow burn aesthetic. Slow light also references the Slow Art Movement with an emphasis on slow mindful observation to enhance the appreciation of light at play.
Colleen DaRosa has been included as a finalist in a range of art prizes including the Northern River Portrait Prize in 2011 and 2013 and R & M McGivern National Painting Prize in 2012 and the Waverly Art Prize in 2015. She was winner of the Packers Prize at the Prospect Portrait Prize in 2015. More recently she was semi-finalist in the BAM (Byron Art Magazine) Art Prize of 2020.
She has shown her work at the Tweed Regional Gallery in 2017, The Byron School of Art in 2018 and the Lone Goat Gallery in 2019. In 2017 she was commissioned to create light box displays for the Creative Road Elysium Project in Byron Bay. Her work can be seen on permanent display in Lateen Lane (parallel to Lawson Street), Byron Bay. [see image]
The fundamental approach she takes is to develop surfaces and spaces, predominantly in layered configurations (3D) or layering to create depth (2D). This centres on opportunities for light reflection and refraction. The motifs and architectonic devices DaRosa employs echo the way in which the glow of light and natural forms seep into the fabric of Nordic design and architecture. A reminiscence of several summers spent in Scandinavia.
She has an ongoing admiration for architect/designers Alvo Aalto and Tadao Ando and is inspired by the works of Donald Judd, Mary Corse, Marion Borgelt and Gemma Smith.