Still-life painting was at the core of Margaret Preston’s practice. Throughout her career, Preston continually revisited the genre, as she painted bold, intensely coloured and locally grounded arrangements of flowers often cultivated and sourced from her own garden. Preston’s paintings and prints of still-life arrangements are emblematic of a moment of extraordinary innovation in Australian art history.
Taking inspiration from the Margaret Preston exhibition, Wadawurrung artist Deanne Gilson, whose artwork also features in the exhibition, leads a still-life painting course using ochre and acrylic paint, inspired by both artists.
The course will begin with a tour of Margaret Preston with exhibition curator Beckett Rozentals, followed by a practical painting workshop where Gilson will introduce her practice and guide participants through a step-by-step process to create their own original artwork depicting bush flowers and textiles created by Gilson.
Deanne Gilson is a Proud Wadawurrung woman living on her ancestral Country of Ballarat, Victoria. Having dedicated over forty years to her art practice, Gilson works across multi mediums, traversing time, place and culture.
Gilson’s artworks capture Wadawurrung knowledges held within indigenous plants and trees, alongside the multiple birds from her Creation Story. She incorporates endangered species and deep connections to Country, people and all living things through the use of ochre and other materials sourced on Country. Highlighting women’s business, identity, spirituality, ceremony and oral storytelling, alongside spirituality, ceremony and oral storytelling, alongside ancestral voices pre and post settlement. Often including uncomfortable issues relating to the objectification of First Peoples by the male and female gaze, giving a voice to the voiceless.
Her artwork is held in many public and private collections, including the National Gallery of Victoria and the Koorie Heritage Trust, Melbourne.
The course takes place on Saturday 17 October from 12–5pm.
In this hands-on workshop, participants will be introduced to still-life painting of native flowers. Guided by Wadawurrung artist Deanne Gilson, participants will learn how to paint and compose still-life paintings, experimenting with colours and technique to produce their own unique painting.
Course enrolment includes all materials.
Suitable for all skill levels, no prior experience necessary.
This course will be held onsite at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square.
$325 Member / $350 Adult / $335 Concession, Student & Educator
+ $5.50 Booking Fee
Enrol in more than one course to receive a 10% discount.
NGV Members, educators and students receive discounted enrolment to all NGV Art School courses.
Information for Teachers & Educators
Still-life Painting offers an inspiring and creative professional learning opportunity for teachers of all levels and subjects. Still-life Painting meets the following AITSL standards:
- Know the content and how to teach it (2.1)
- Engage in professional learning (6.1)
- Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community (7.4)
A certificate of professional learning is available on request.
This course is part of NGV Art School. Join us for in-Gallery and online courses, practical artist-led classes, and tailored learning experiences led by curators and specialist educators.