Previous Exhibition

Jo Breneger —
Show Pony

Jul 11 – Jul 26, 2019

About the Artist      

NSW artist Jo Breneger has a fervent desire to keep hand skills alive, and has worked with hand painted signs and murals for over 30 years. The large, contracted commercial work is often in stark contrast to the small, intimate works of Jo’s personal painting practice. 

Jo's practice strives to capture the quiet, sensitive interaction that is felt when humans are around horses. Jo works simply and honestly with light and form to capture the expression and conformation of the large animals. Jo paints directly onto found materials including timber, tin, lino and wallpaper, and in Jo’s words, “(those materials) hold an earthy patina and warmth,” which has a nice relationship to the earthy and warm subject matter of the large, friendly creatures she paints.

About the Artist

Jo Breneger

When I was a kid my mum loved to have a punt on the horses.  She would bring home ‘Turf Monthly’ and I would pore over the glossy centrefold of the winning racehorse. Hours were spent drawing and painting that horse. I remember a friend of my dads, an old plumber showing me how he drew a horse. I can still see his big gnarly hands carefully drawing the rump and belly with a texta. Funny the things that stay with you. 

When I left art school I began working for myself painting signs and murals. It seemed like a good use of my artistic skills to earn a living. It has been a lifetime of learning that beautiful craft and somedays I still feel like a beginner.

In recent years I have been spending a lot of time around horses. I find them to be very benevolent and healing creatures to be with. Once again I have found myself endlessly drawing and painting them trying to capture the beauty I feel around them.

About the Curator

Laura Brinin

Laura Brinin is a curator of contemporary art, currently facilitating the vibrant program at Side Gallery in the heart of Red Hill, Brisbane. With an unwavering passion for nurturing connections with emerging and established creatives, Laura is dedicated to fostering artistic growth through avenues such as social media, branding, and identity development.

Laura has exhibited her own work both in Australia and overseas, as well as working as an independent freelance curator across Brisbane for over ten years. In her downtime, you can find her reading, travelling, or stalking dogs.