Jugglers Studio Artist - BRIDIE GILLMAN

BRIDIE GILLMAN first exhibited at Jugglers in 2011 and we have watched the development of her practice and success over the past 7 years with much interest. It is great to have her as part of the Jugglers studio tradition and to have this brief snapshot.Peter Breen.

Bio/Artist Statement

 Bridie Gillman’s multidisciplinary practice spans painting, photography, sculpture and video. Drawing from her childhood spent in Indonesia, ideas of place - our experience and memories of a place - underpin her work. Painting has become a meditative act of recalling experiences of a place through abstract response, an emotional reaction rather than a representation of place.

 Bridie graduated from Queensland College of Art with a Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours) in 2013. Her work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions throughout Australia and internationally, including Museum of Brisbane and Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Sydney. In 2019 she was a finalist in the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship, 15 Artists and won the Moreton Bay Region Art Award.

 Studio

 I moved into the guides hut at Tarragindi around June 2018 after a while working from home. I’d decided I needed more space and to separate work from home so I could focus more intensely on my art practice while also keeping a healthy work/life balance – an important aspect in maintaining a sustainable practice I think. It was surprisingly difficult to find an affordable studio space in Brisbane, so I was excited when the hut became available. These studios are unique in their environment – a feeling of isolation, being surrounded by bush, yet still close to the city.

 I spent the first eight months or so making work in response to my new studio surroundings, walking around the reserve, looking, and responding to these observations through paint and mark marking. These paintings culminated in an exhibition earlier this year – Wide Eyed. 

 In August 2019 I had the opportunity to move into a much larger studio in the main building at Tarragindi and I can’t quite believe my luck, it’s pretty much my dream studio! It’s great to have a larger space to work in, especially as my paintings can be quite sizeable, but still be amongst the quiet environment of the reserve. 

 I’m thankful for Jugglers as they have always provided vital studio spaces to artists in Brisbane, I first had one in Buranda by the train line in 2012, and I hope to be working in this beautiful environment for some time to come.