Stroke

A narrative and whimsical interpretation of the John Oxley 1824 Journal. The works present a lyrical and romantic observation of Oxley’s struggle with the landscape, the river and his boat. For me, the Oxley River saga in his boat is a metaphor for life - Its meaning changes with the density of the lines, the combination of colours mixed - colours have vitality. Like life.

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Rod is an artist who works from his studio in Auchenflower, Brisbane. He has participated in Group and Solo exhibitions and early on in his career he was hung in the Archibald Prize 1978 Exhibition. Rod has won the Stanthorpe Art Festival Ceramics Prize and the Gatton Shire Art Award and he was heavily involved in the establishment of the Ipswich Art Gallery in the early 1980’s when he was the Head of Department Art at the Ipswich State High School. Rod became a State High School Principal and concentrated on developing Art Education Curriculum in Queensland. In more recent years he has developed gift and furniture designs for the Home and Decor Industry across Australia and has exhibited in numerous Trade Fairs in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Rod has travelled extensively. He works mostly with acrylics referencing a broad repertoire of experience and influences.
1978 Archibald Prize finalist
Solo Exhibitions:
June 2016 Graydon Gallery New Farm Brisbane "John Oxley - a man and his boat"
July 2017 Old Church Gallery Moore "Four Men Two Ox and a Dray"
August 2017 Graydon Gallery New Farm Brisbane "Explorer Triology - Oxley Cunningham and Logan"
June 2018 Graydon Gallery "Moreton Bay @ lowtide.net"
June 2019 I Graydon Gallery New Farm Brisbane "I Dreamed I saw St Augustine"
March 2021 RQAS Petrie Terrace Gallery "Life is Great in the Sunshine State"
November 2021 - the Series Matthew Flinders 1799 - interpreting his epic exploration and mapping of Moreton Bay in 1799
January 2024 Ongoing theme Postcards from Mudjimba Beach