Outcomes of introspection

A slow accretion of thousands of brushstrokes, informed by thousands of glances, eventually builds a portrait painted from life. Mark-making is educated by drawing analysis, colour theory, and conceptual depth, all contributing to re-imagining the sitter’s likeness of form and personality on canvas. Each viewer is invited to decide for themselves the balance of this self-portrait, and if this work equally depicts the sitter, their personality, or their accomplishments. Indeed, could this be perhaps a portrait of the portrait painting process itself?
The self-portrait takes advantage of intimate knowledge, turning the vulnerability of showing oneself truthfully to the world outward. The artist, both sage and acolyte, is Pygmalion and Galatea in one, and has the opportunity to playfully discuss the elevated psychological place artmaking holds for them. Historically, the sitter is often depicted with symbols of their accomplishments and identity: in this case, the artist’s tools of trade are seen; the colour wheel, the charcoal sketch, the auratised signature of the artist, and the first professional brush this artist ever used.

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ARTIST PROFILE: A painter of large, vibrant canvases, De Gillett Cox captures intensity, optimism and joy with her brushes and knives. Her highly textured canvases dramatically demand our attention, shouting off the wall with a vibrant new take on familiar subjects.
De skilfully orchestrates highly developed drawing techniques together with a kaleidoscope of colour across her canvases. Juxtaposing opacity & transparency, positive & negative, textures & glazes; she fills her contemporary interpretations of landscape, flowers and birds with sumptuous celebration and an organic neo-futurism.
De Gillett Cox graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Queensland College of Arts (QCA), Griffith University, Brisbane, and has been represented by Montville Art Gallery since 2018.
SELECTED AWARDS AND PRIZES
2022 Lethbridge 20,000: Finalist; Into Obscurity
2022 John Villiers Waltzing Matilda Outback Art Prize; Finalist Dirt by Girt.
2021 Brisbane Portrait Prize: Finalist; They, Them, Their. (Portrait of Cael Killham)
2019 Lethbridge 20,000: Finalist; Indelible. Online Finalist; Old Growth paper products.
2018 Moreton Bay Art Awards: Finalist; Inner Brisbane Soundscape.
2018 Lethbridge 10,000: Gallery Finalist; Familial paper trail. Online Finalist; Leave no refuse.
2017 Brisbane Art Prize; Finalist, Connectedness.
2016 Clayton Utz Art Awards; Finalist; Acknowledgement of Country.
2016 Moreton Bay Region Art Awards: People’s Choice Award, Acknowledgement of Country.
2015 The John Villiers Waltzing Matilda Outback Art Show 2015: Second Prize, Habitat.
2015 King St, Canvas Paddock to Plate: First prize Judges Choice. Thargomindah smoko, 1936.
2014 The Andrew Fisher Portrait Prize 2014 Highly Commended, Bruised- Embracing erudition.
2013 The John Villiers Waltzing Matilda Outback Art Show 2013: Celebrity Prize, Thargomindah smoko, 1936. Winner Popular Vote, Over the sunset plains.
2011 Woollam Waltzing Matilda Outback Art Award 2011: Third prize, painting, Relinquish to the river.

SELECTED SOLO & MAJOR EXHIBITIONS

2022 Artist of the Month, May, Montville Art Gallery.
2021 Artist of the Month, September, Montville Art Gallery.
2020 Artist of the Month, October, Montville Art Gallery.
2019 Artist of the Month, November, Montville Art Gallery.
2018 “Knickerless” at Slingshot Bar Gallery, Fortitude Valley Brisbane
2016 “City Coastal Country” with Kylie Farrelly at The Manly Gallery, Brisbane.
2013 “Luminous QLD”: 25 works, Solo exhibition at The Manly Gallery, Brisbane.
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PORTRAIT COMMISSIONS

2014 Piccardi Legal: portrait of Tony and Megan Piccardi.
2012 Brown and Hurley Transport: portrait of J.P. Hurley (President); oil on canvas.
2009 Townsville Art Society: portrait of Kevin O’Shea.
COLLECTIONS
2016 Mayoral Office Charters Towers, Mayor Elizabeth Schmidt, Hope, Acrylic on canvas diptych.
2016 Dr. Cameron Mackay: Hands at work; .Mixed media on linen.
2014 Collection of The Hawker School, Canberra; Rainbow bird; Hyacinths.
2013 State Library of Queensland: Recumbent, reading,(collagraph).