-Debra Elizabeth Gillett, once known as Deb but now known
as De, is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Queensland College of
Arts (QCA), Griffith University, Brisbane, majoring in printmaking.
-De's recklessly sumptuous paintings are her own expressionistic, neo-futurist take on elation of being, and offer an unfettered celebration of life. She is inspired and obsessed with colour— the brilliance of tropical light, joy, sensuality, motion and emotion. Favoured subjects include birds in flight, flowers, nudes and portraits. Her style runs the gamut from wildly expressionistic to photographic realism and everywhere in between.
-De paints and draws in acrylics, oils, pastel; and sculpts in ceramic and bronze.
-De Gillett accepts selected commissions and tutoring commitments.
EDUCATION
2011 Accepted into Griffith Honours College.
2010 to (?) Bachelor of Fine Art (Completed 2nd Year so far, GPA 6.5), Queensland College of Art, Griffith University, Southbank Campus, Brisbane Qld.
2004 Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training, Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE, Ingham, Qld.
EXHIBITIONS
2011 “Detours”, POP Gallery, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, curated group exhibition (Curators Tim Mosely & Alan Owens).
2011 “Study Tour“ Project Gallery, Queensland College of Art, Photography group exhibition.
2011 Project Gallery, Queensland College of Art, The Hive Creative Initiative group exhibition.
2011 Restaurant gallery, with Scott Breton and Nick Leavey, Lock’n’Load, West End, Brisbane.
2010 “Impress Print Auction”: White Canvas Gallery, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane – group exhibition.
2010 “12 x 21”: Ship Inn, Southbank, Brisbane – QCA group printmaking exhibition.
2007 “Intimate”: Solo Exhibition at Gallery53, Cairns
2006 "Figuratively Speaking": Flinders Gallery, Townsville - group showing with JCU Visual Arts Lecturers and local artists.
2003 "Duos Showcase": Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville.
2003 "Symbiosis": 164 works with David Rowe and Fay Morris, Gallery Hinchinbrook, Ingham.
2000 "Humanology": Solo Exhibition, 44 sculptures and 8 pastels at Christopher’s Studio Arts, Townsville.
1999 "New Dimensions 1999": 410 works with Mim Bates, Gai Chappell, Linda Knibb and Danny Chappelll at Hinchinbrook Shire Hall, Ingham.
1998 "Nature Fantasia": 60 works with Frank Ten Bos at Cairns Casino.
1997 "Farewell Townsville": with Richard Bogusz and others at Barrards Gallery, Townsville.
1995 "New Directions": 200 works with Mim Bates and Gai Chappell at Hinchinbrook Shire Hall, Ingham.
EMPLOYMENT
2011 Caricaturist: Arts Education Law Events, Griffith University.
2011 Student Mentor:Uni-key, Queensland College of Art, Griffith University.
2010 Life Drawing Instructor: Drawn from Life, Metro Arts, Brisbane City.
TUTORING
2011 Red Door Gallery, Dubbo, Portraits in Oils weekend workshop.
2011 Yurara Art Group, Textures and Glazing weekend workshop.
2010 Samford Art Group, Acrylic Ink weekend workshop.
2010 Yurara Art Group, Acrylic Ink weekend workshop.
2010 Sawtell Art Group, Acrylic Ink weekend workshop.
2009 to 2010 Third Dimension Art (Dubbo). Acrylic Ink weekend workshop x 3, Florals in Oils weekend workshop, Portraiture weekend workshop.
2006 to 2009 Townsville Art Society Classroom: Tutor (weekly painting classes for adult students).
2003 to 2009 NQPA Studio, Oil Painting weekend workshops x 3, Acrylic inking weekend workshops x 4.
2003 to 2009 North Queensland Potters Association: Tutor - Clay Sculpture weekend workshops x 5.
2007 to 2009 Hinchinbrook Regional Arts, Clay Sculpture weekend workshop, acrylic painting weekend workshop.
2008 Bowen Potters, Clay Sculpture weekend workshop.
2005 to 2008 Charters Towers Pottery Club, Clay Sculpture weekend workshops x 4.
2004 to 2005 Grafton Artsfest, Clay Sculpture 6 day workshop.
AWARDS AND PRIZES
2011 Woollam Waltzing Matilda Outback Art Award 2011: Third prize, painting, Relinquish to the river, (oil on canvas) 1200 x 600mm.
2010 Award for Academic Excellence: 1st Year Bachelor of Fine Art, Queensland College of Art, Griffith University.
2009 Australian Artist Magazine: Australian Artist Challenge No. 35- Still Life & Florals,Third Prize - Fragrant Unfurling, (oil on canvas), 1500mm x 1000mm.
Outback Spirit Ergon Energy Waltzing Matilda Art Award: Finalist - Considering the Apology, (oil on canvas), 1200mm x 800mm.
Sarina Art Extravaganza: Winner, People's Choice Award, Homeless (Smith Street), (oil on canvas) 510mm x 770mm.
2008 Townsville Art Society Awards:Highly Commended (Judge Tony Ellwood) Oil Painting - Homeless (Smith Street), (oil on canvas) 510mm x 770mm..
Hinchinbrook Acquisitive Art Competition:First Prize - Landscape, Bluewater Blackboys, (acrylic on canvas) 1200mm x 900mm
2007 Outback Spirit Ergon Energy Waltzing Matilda Art Awards: Finalist - Sacred Sand,s Acrylic on canvas 750mm x 1000mm; and Winner, People’s Choice Award - Harlequin Whirlwind, (acrylic on canvas) 1500mm x 1000mm
Barcaldine Art Competition: Winner, People’s Choice Award - Bluewater Blackboys, (acrylic on canvas) 1200mm x 900mm
2006 Townsville Art Society Awards: Winner, People's Choice Award - Dreaming Untold (acrylic).
Barcaldine Art Competition: Winner, People's Choice Award - Leo (acrylic); First Prize, Section C - Flightsong (acrylic).
Hinchinbrook Acquisitive Art Competition: Winner, People’s Choice Award and Highly Commended, Section 3- Halcyon Flight (acrylic); First Prize, Decorative Pottery - Harlequin Angel (ceramic); Highly Commended, Section 2 - Creeks Guardian (acrylic); and Highly Commended Section 7: Angel Chorus (ceramic).
Townsville Agricultural Show: First Prize, Portraiture - John the Baptist (acrylic); Second Prize, Seascape - Aquaria (acrylic); and Highly Commended, Seascape - Shimmer (acrylic).
Flying Arts Regional Arts Award: Finalist - Tropical Abundance (acrylic)
2005 Maleny Art Awards: First Prize, Portraiture - John the Baptist (acrylic); and Highly Commended, Abstract/Contemporary - Fire Fliers (acrylic).
Hinchinbrook Acquisitive Art Competition: First Prize, Section 2 - Jewel (acrylic); Highly Commended Section 3 - Off the Jetty (acrylic).
Townsville Agricultural Show: Winner, People's Choice Award - Brothersista (acrylic); First Prize, Seascape - Amethyst Mist (acrylic); and Second Prize, Open Section - Brothersista (acrylic).
2004 Ernest Henry Memorial Art Contest: Highly Commended - Shoredance (acrylic); and Highly Commended - Yarnin' (acrylic).
Hinchinbrook Acquisitive Art Competition: Highly Commended, Open Section - Undercurrent (acrylic); Highly Commended, Section 3 - Shoredance (acrylic); and Highly Commended, Section 7 - Secret Women's business (ceramic).
2003 Hinchinbrook Acquisitive Art Competition: First Prize, Functional Pottery - On a Pedestal (ceramic); First Prize, Decorative Pottery - Medusa Bottle (ceramic); Highly Commended, Open Section - Iolaus (bronze);and Highly Commended, Seascape - Vortex (pastel).
2001 Hinchinbrook Acquisitive Art Competition: Highly Commended, Local Artist - Mandala (ceramic).
2000 Hinchinbrook Acquisitive Art Competition: Overall Winner, Open Section - Purple Haze (pastel); First Prize, Decorative Pottery - Baby Cassowary (ceramic); and First Prize, Drawing - Salome (graphite).
1999 Hinchinbrook Acquisitive Art Competition: Highly Commended, Open Section - Youth, Beauty, Fertility; First Prize, Decorative Pottery - Baby Gecko.
1998 Hinchinbrook Acquisitive Art Competition: First Prize, Wheel-thrown Pottery - Ripples Bowl.
1997 Hinchinbrook Acquisitive Art Competition: First Prize, Wheel-thrown Pottery - Reef Bowl.
1996 Hinchinbrook Acquisitive Art Competition: First Prize, Hand-built Pottery – Dreamtime.
1995 Ernest Henry Memorial Art Contest: Highly Commended, Drawing in any medium - Duet (pastel).
Hinchinbrook Acquisitive Art Competition: First Prize, Landscape - Outpost (pastel); First Prize, Local Artist - Duet (pastel); Second Prize, Popular vote - Duet (pastel); and First Prize, Hand-built Pottery - Treasures Bowl (ceramic).
1994 Hinchinbrook Acquisitive Art Competition: First Prize, Local Artist - Boys from the Bush (pastel); and Winner, Popular Vote - Boys from the Bush.
1990 Hinchinbrook Acquisitive Art Competition: Highly Commended, winner encouragement award - Rock Pigeon Habitat (pastel).
PUBLICATIONS & REVIEWS
2011 Gillett D, 2011 ‘Unlimited Potential’ Australian Artist Magazine, iss. 321, March, pp. 58-65.
2009 Gillett D, and Grant H (ed.) 2009, ‘Mastering movement in oils’ Australian Artist Magazine, iss 302, August, pp.12-19.
2007 Riley A, 2007, Rainbow Bee Eater cover art for ‘Arrivals and Rivals: A duel for the winning bird’. Brambleby Books, London.
2007 Lynch B, 2007, ‘Artist inspired by subject’ Townsville Daily Bulletin.
2007 Harskamp K, 2007, ‘Intimate Collection’ art&about, Cairns Post, July 30.
2005 Cooper L, 2005, ‘An Artist with Attitude’, Citylife Magazine, July.
2006 Wildeheart, M. 2006, ‘Takes on human form’ The Guide,Townsville Daily Bulletin, June 30.
2002 ‘Artsfest: True work of talent’ The Daily Examiner October 2.
2000 ‘Purple Haze is the toast of Hinchinbrook’, Herbert River Express, August 3, p.1.
2000 Murdoch, A. 2000, ‘Firing on all cylinders’, The Townsville Daily Bulletin August 6.
1995 Oliveri, L. 1995 ‘Oh, what a show’, Good Art, The Townsville Daily Bulletin August 4.
1995 ‘New Directions’, Island Coast News August.
1995 ‘Art show has something to prove’, The Herbert River Express July 25.
1995 ‘Athletic inability triggers Ingham artist’s passion’ Country Image, Queensland CountryLife March 2.
COMMUNITY
2005 to 2010 Hinchinbrook Acquisitive Art Competition: Sponsor.
2006 to 2009 Townsville Art Society: Member, Gallery member, Volunteer and Committee member.
2006 to 2009 Tropic Sun Theatre Company: Volunteer, “His and Hers” Art Events.
2004 to 2009 North Queensland Potters Association: Member, Committee Member and Volunteer.
2002 to 2009 Hinchinbrook Regional Arts: Founding Member and Gallery member.
2007 & 2008 Art Escape, Paluma: Organiser and volunteer (annual).
PUBLIC ART
2009 Shalom Christian College: Hope, Acrylic Dyptich. Hanging in Library.
2007 Thuringowa City Council: Thuringowa, Acrylic Painting for giclee reproduction given as corporate gifts, staff gifts, and postcards.
2007 Spinal Injuries Association: Parallel Odyssey, Acrylic Triptych, portrait of Peter Allen.
2006 Hinchinbrook Shire Council Chambers: Ingham Iconography, Acrylic Triptych. Hanging in Council Chambers.
COLLECTIONS
2007 Collection of the Sisters of Mercy, Cairns: Bluewater Blackboys , Billabong, Flight and Amethyst Flight.
2007 Collection of Jayco Caravans, Melbourne: Jay (acrylic).
2007 Collection of Stafford Family: Sunstone (watercolour and pastel).
2006 Collection of Jenni Edgely: Lorikeet (acrylic).
2000 Collection of the Hinchinbrook Shire Council: Purple Haze (pastel).
1996 Collection of City of Suwon, Korea: Browsing Kangaroo (ceramic).
CORPORATE DESIGN
2007 Jayco Freedom Caravans: fabric design.
2007 to 2008 Beaulieu Pacific: range of fabric designs
2000 Hinchinbrook Shire Council: logo design.
2000 Schmidt’s Livestock Transport: logo design.
2000 Livestock Transporters Association of Queensland (LTAQ): logo design.
EVENTS
2007/2008 “Gumburu Getaway Art Escape”, Paluma: Organiser and Administrator for 2 day art events for 20 adult artists.
2007 “Art Start”, Thuringowa City Council (at the Riverway Arts Centre): “Warts and All – what it really is to be an artist!”, presentation.
PRIVATE SCULPTURE COMMISSIONS-
2005Gundamen (bronze) for Drew and Valerie Thompson (Townville).
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
CWM Galleries: Four Points by Sheraton, Sussex Street, Sydney www.cwmgalleries.biz
Gallery Network, Florida, U.S.A. www.gallerynetwork.com
REPRODUCTION WORKS