About the Artist…short bio…click to open
After many years travelling and studying fine art overseas I finally returned home to North Queensland in 2007. Born in Cairns & Growing up in Kuranda, I spent my childhood discovering, & interacting with the abundant local wildlife. Many years were spent exploring the creeks & rivers, fishing & camping. Diving on the coral reefs & living in the rainforest taught me to appreciate the natural world & the unlimited creativity it releases.
Gerhard with a waterfall frog on lens...photo by Steven Nowakowski
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My connection with the tropical landscape is internal & my interpretation of it is embedded deep within my images. I feel compelled to respond to the environment in a creative and respectful way. I really believe we are all part of the environment, not seperate. Most of my artworks explore this human nature connection and are a reflection of personal observations & inner experiences.
With a fine art degree in traditional photography, I have been creating artworks for over 20 years. Photography has become my medium of choice. Organic photo montage is how I describe my creative process. It has taken me years to develop & continues to evolve in a progressive way. Many ideas are explored as traditional fine art skills are merged with modern technology.Sketching, drawing & painting are also used at times within the works & challenge our perception of art verses photography. Having said this,Some of my works are simple photographs while others are much more complex.
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This seamless montage of ideas and content allows me the creative freedom to process & express my visual journey. Layer upon layer of reality, memory & imagination merge in a unique way encouraging people to take their time to really see. I want the images to sing and breathe in a celebration of living colour.
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Through patient observation unique details in nature slowly become visible, this art of seeing inspires me to develop works which describe this experience of discovery. I attempt to capture the essence or feeling of a particular subject from the inside out. Depth, colour and a sense of movement are all used to draw the viewer in. By immersing yourself in one of these artworks; subtle, intricate & vibrant details may suddenly appear. making the invisible visible, as the more you look, the more you see…
Forest Scene ...limited edition 50...Cassowary Country Collection
For many years I have been exhibiting my Artworks in Galleries & Publications around the world. Every year I create a series of images which are released as high quality archival limited editions. These are collected by numerous people in Australia and Overseas. Some of the images have won awards, however I rarely enter competions & prefer displaying my artworks where eveeryone can see them, not restricting them to galleries.
With my artworks, ultimately, I aim to promote a deeper appreciation of nature & discourage environmental destruction for personal gain. Through observation & understanding a natural desire of conservation emmerges & when people experience or feel a real connection with their environment they are more likely to respect it.Currently I am living in Kuranda with my partner Natasha and daughter Minna. On Saturdays I can be found at the Esplanade markets and on Sundays at the Port Douglas Markets selling my artwork, cards and fabric patches. I am also in the process of creating a childrens book and developing a range of fabrics.
