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.
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.
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.
OPENING HOURS
The gallery is open during exhibition periods.
Please check the exhibitions page for opening dates.
Monday & Tuesday by appointment
Wednesday to Friday, 10 am – 5 pm,
Saturday, 10 am – 1 pm,
COLLECTING YOUR ARTWORK
All purchased works can be collected on the last day of the exhibition or please call or text us on 0409549447 to arrange a time that suits you. If you would like to collect your artwork purchase before the close of the exhibition, let us know, and we can arrange an early pick-up.