Excessively Charismatic

REK continues his series of male models in the style his work has become synonymous with.

The sitter for this piece is Stephen Bates MP - the federal member of parliament for Brisbane and holds the Australian Greens’ portfolios of LGBTIQA+ and Youth.
Stephen's rise to politics is as unconventional as it is inspiring.
Working for Disney in the USA for $7 per hour, and witnessing the desperate struggle of his coworkers to make ends meet, along with his own personal internal struggle coming out as a queer person - led him to set his sights on a career that could help others.
While working in frontline retail at the Apple store in Chermside shopping centre, he began to approach the major parties but was quickly deemed to be "too charismatic" for them.
Stephen eventually found acceptance within The Greens. His rise to prominence in 2022 was a spectacular first of its kind victory for the Greens in Brisbane. Unseating the Liberal party by the narrowest of margins and shaking the political system as disenfranchised voters chose to move towards an alternative political voice.

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Rob Rek is a multi-award-winning professional artist and tutor, working from his studio in Brisbane since 2006.

His artworks are driven by the pursuit of perfection and focus intently on the finest details. The process of exacting the results he produces today, are skills which have taken many years of focused study and practice to refine. Using only the highest quality archival materials available, he approaches a vast array of subject matter.

His work has proliferated in recent years with regular exhibitions in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. His sought-after paintings are held in private, corporate and government collections from every corner of Australia and across the globe.
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Career Highlights. 

2025 - Invited tutor and speaker - University of Southern Queensland

2024 Power FM Toowoomba radio Interview with Kevin Howarth - artist spotlight Interview for University of Southern Queensland

2024 REK Artwork "Black Lotus" was a finalist in the Brisbane Portrait Prize.

2023 "The Parrot Society of Australia" Interviewed for feature article in nationwide magazine publication.

2022 REK artwork “Rainbow Bridge” was the recipient of the People’s Choice award at the 43rd annual art awards held by The TYTO Regional Art Gallery.

2022 REK Invited tutor and speaker - University of Southern Queensland

2022 REK was the winner of the Seventh Annual Hinchinbrook Birdlife Art Awards 

2021 REK was the winner of the Sixth Annual Hinchinbrook Birdlife Art Awards for Painting 

2020 REK was the feature artist and guest judge at the Royal Queensland art Societies' Biannual Exhibition.

2018 REK Artwork was featured on the National TV show Healthy Homes Australia