INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed artist David Wells, formerly of Macleay Island, will present his largest exhibition in years at Mount Tamborine’s newest art gallery, Emala.
The gallery will open its doors to the public on October 29.
Wells presented a portrait of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge to the royal couple during their visit to Australia in 2014 and they took it home on the plane with them to hang it in Kensington Palace.
The artist said he would be exhibiting at Emala and also running workshops in pastels, oils and watercolours at the gallery from November 22.
“This exhibition will be one of the biggest collections of my work to be displayed in one room for many years,” he said.
“I don’t do many paintings, they take about six weeks to finish and they seem to sell quickly so there’s rarely more than a couple in one place at any time.
“There will be more than that at the opening – and even a couple that I’ve been hoarding, trying to keep to myself.”
Wells was the recipient of the Grand Champion prize in the prestigious international Pastel 100 competition in 2014 and this year he has been shortlisted for the Black Swan prize.
“It’s the third richest portrait prize in Australia, after the Moran and Archibald prizes,” he said.
“They will announce the winners in Perth, so I’ll be going there on November 1.
“Apparently there’s a dress code – everyone has to wear black, apart from artists, who have to wear red.
“We’ll be easy to see in the crowd and we won’t need to rely on name badges.”
For the Emala opening, Mr Wells said he would offer a demonstration on pastel technique.
“My background is in street performance and circus, mainly juggling, balancing and performing so there might be a bit of that on the day because I can’t seem to help myself sometimes,” he quipped.
“I worked so hard on those skills, it’s a shame to waste them.
“I only became serious about visual art when a mentor pointed out that street performance probably wouldn’t be an option at 60.
“So I started painting and it became an obsession – at least I know if I’m blessed enough to see old age I will still have my passion.”
Emala owner Teresa Skirving said she had been painting for a few years and was initially looking for studio space but decided to buy the shop on Main Street and turn it into a gallery and workshop space.
