Sue Stergo | Ferntree Gully, Australia
Art has been my soul's journey all my life. The daughter of a photographer I was encouraged in creativity.
I’ve been taken through numerous studies in art; Graphic Design, Painting and Singing. I often felt odd with a blend of skills and influences. Whether art or music I’m a combination of commercial pop, say like Disney combined with Van Gogh, and an array of experimentation. My works are often joyful and bright, somewhat like cartoons at times, and yet I love impasto and Expressionism.
I pick subjects that are like characters, so even the flowers have personalities to me. There’s a combination of freedom of brushstroke, then refined finishing. I consistently love bright, raw colour expressing emotions and flow, like a dance.
With a four-year-old daughter I revisit my childhood feelings and try to express those raw emotions and dreams. I love hearing from children with their fresh thoughts and opinions. I love their courage, and they’re always learning. I feel like that, a new child all the time learning, whether that’s discoveries in life or art.
My current theme is getting in touch with the little girl inside me, and communicating with my daughter. Most girls love horses, and they hold such a mystical strength and freedom. I’m combining their muscular energy and power, with the softness and gentleness of beautiful birds. Don’t most of us want to ride the heights of the heavenlies, look from above at the issues of life, and tenderly love connected beyond ourselves.
I enjoy learning stories, retelling of realities and relationships to help bring wisdom, knowledge and understanding. I hope to bring comfort and healing, to motivate thinking through the themes, concepts and messages my art may bring.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2009 Oscar’s Ale House, Belgrave.
2006 Aztec Bar, Grapevine Café, Belgrave.
2005 The Green Bean Café, Belgrave.
2004 Harmonic Dissidence, Noel’s Gallery, Red Hill.
2003 ‘Essence of Self’, Stella Dimadis Gallery, Johnston St. Fitzroy.
2003 ‘Repentant-The Beauty Within’. The Highway Gallery, Mount Waverley.
2002 The Child, Gallery 369, Studio 2, Wantirna.
2001 Jazz Artislounge, Living Springs Arts Academy, Bayswater.
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2009 Charity Art Auction, Zart Art, Box Hill North.
2008 Ten Plus Ten, Burrinja Gallery, Upwey.
2004 Seeing Eye Dog Australia, Federation Square.
2003 Maroondah Painting in a Day, MGA Gallery, Wheelers Hill.
2003 ‘Painting in a Day’ Competition, Heritage Hill, Laurel Lodge, Dandenong.
2003 ‘The Good Life’, The Foundry, Queens Parade, Fitzroy North.
2002-2003 Mass, Members Exhibit. 69 Smith St. Gallery, Fitzroy.
2002 Swinburne Diploma Graduates. 69 Smith St. Gallery, Fitzroy.
2001 Creative Day, Living Springs Arts Academy, Baywater
1994 Family Exhibit. The Highway Gallery, Mount Waverley.
1989 1st Year Exhibit, Wantirna TAFE, Healesville Mechanics Institute Gallery.