Living with Koalas artist - Beric Henderson

100 Artworks for a Koala entry by Beric Henderson.    Title: “Koala Blue’  – acrylic and ink on board  

Living wit Koalas artist - Beric Henderson

Beric HENDERSON

Australian artist based in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia

“I love the idea of producing work that is beautiful to look at, but even more revealing on closer inspection. My pieces take a long time to create. “

100 Artworks for a Koala entry: Title: ‘Koala Blue’ | Size: W 45cm  x H 60cm  | Medium: acrylic and ink on board

“I have a background in art and science, and in the past few years my art practice has focused more explicitly on the interconnectedness between man and the natural world. A lot of my nature-inspired art has used an abstract style where shapes or figures emerge out of the undergrowth. To add context I intersperse some words of text in the background. The artwork Koala Blue is the latest addition to this series and I feel an important reminder to us all of the iconic status and endangered nature of this beautiful creature. I hope that my artwork conveys these messages, as we are all connected with nature and the greater global ecosystem.”  Beric Hendeson

Beric Henderson is an Australian artist whose work investigates themes related to the sub-conscious, dreams and the cosmos. His current art practice includes painting, drawing, very detailed works on paper and unique light-box installations and many of his ideas are influenced by science and philosophy.  

Beric has spent most of his spare time since childhood drawing, painting, reading and writing. His art skills were fine-tuned with two years of formal art classes in 1998-1999. He has had 12 solo shows, the first was at Hazelhurst in 2003. During 2006-2007 he was represented by film director Alex Proyas through his commercial art gallery (Wallspace Gallery) in Surry Hills. In early 2016 he relocated from Sydney to Port Macquarie on the mid-north coast of NSW.

Beric’s figurative works  have been influenced by a strong interest in cinematic genres including film noir and German expressionism, Hitchcock, the work of Kafka and by religious art forms.  The paintings produced over the last five years often examined human isolation and how we always manage to connect to something even when we are most vulnerable. By contrast, the recent abstract works explore deeper connections between our scientific and spiritual understanding of the natural world.

selected artist solo exhibitions

  • 2019. “Symmetry of Nature” Glasshouse Regional Gallery, Port Macquarie (23 Nov-12 Jan)
  • 2017. “Cosmographica” Glasshouse Regional Gallery (Feb-Mar)
  • 2015. “Cosmographica” Carlton Project Space, Chippendale (Oct-Nov)
  • 2015. “What Dreams May Come” Gallery Mercure, Potts Point (June 2015)
  • 2013. “The Edge of Reality” Gallery Mercure, Potts Point (5 Dec 2012 -18 Mar 2013)
  • 2012. “The Edge of Reality” at Sydney Art Expo, Hordern Pavillion (Sept, Stand A08)
  • 2010. “Everlasting Dream” Wedge Gallery, Books Kinokuniya Sydney 2010. “Dangerous Dreams” Hurstville City Museum and Gallery, Sydney 2009. “Sideshow” at Arthouse Hotel, Sydney (Dec 2009-Jan 2010)
  • 2006. “Searching for Enlightenment” Wallspace Gallery, Surry Hills, Sydney
  • 2005. “Pulp Surrealism” at St. George Regional Museum, Sydney

Art Prize finalist exhibitions (selection process)

2018. Lethbridge 10000 Art Prize, Brisbane

2018. Mandorla Religious Art Prize (Turner Galleries), Perth, WA

2017. Lethbridge 10000 Art Prize (online finalist), Brisbane

2016. Mandorla Religious Art Prize (Linton&Kay Gallery) and touring exhibition, Perth WA

2015 . Chapel on Station Religious Art Prize, Melbourne

2015. New World Art Prize, Chippendale Sydney

2014. Korea Australia Art Foundation (KAAF) Art prize, Sydney

2014. Chapel on Station Religious Art Prize, Melbourne.

2014. New World Art Prize, Chippendale Sydney

2014. Port Macquarie Art Prize (Winner, Open category)

2013. Fisher’s Ghost Art Award, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Sydney

2013. Chapel on Station Religious Art Prize, Melbourne.

2013. Waverly Art Prize (painting category), Bondi, Sydney.

2013. Cliftons Art Prize, Sydney

2013. Port Macquarie Art Prize (Winner, Drawing category)

2012. St George Art Prize, Hurstville Museum, Sydney

2012. Westmead Hospital art prize, Sydney

2012. Adelaide Perry Drawing Prize, PLC Croydon, Sydney

2011. Adelaide Perry Drawing Prize, PLC Croydon, Sydney

2011. Lethbridge 10000 Art Prize, Brisbane

2011. Prometheus Art Prize (painting), Gold Coast.

2010. St George Art Prize, Hurstville Museum, Sydney

2010. Waverly Art Prize (painting category), Bondi, Sydney.

2009. Prometheus Art Prize (painting), Gold Coast. 

2009. Waverly Art Prize (painting and drawing categories), Bondi, Sydney.

2008. Waverly Art Prize (painting and drawing categories), Bondi, Sydney.

2007. Willoughby Art Prize (drawing), Chatswood, Sydney.

2007. Prometheus Art Prize (painting), Gold Coast. 

2007 . Waverly Art Prize (drawing), Bondi, Sydney.

2002 . “Southern exposure II” at Hazelhurst Regional Gallery, Sydney.

 

Group shows   (by invitation)

2018. “Metamorphosis” with Steve Durbach, Ultragraphic Fine Art, Port Macquarie

2018. “Northern Exposure 5” Glasshouse Regional Gallery, Port Macquarie

2018. “From Gaolhouse to Glasshouse” Bicentenary Exhibition, Glasshouse Port Macquarie

2017. “Untitled” group show at Traffic Jam Galleries, Neutral Bay, Sydney

2016. One of 5 Mandorla art award finalists selected to exhibit at St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth

2016. BEAMS art festival, Chippendale, Sydney

2016 . “Northern Exposure 4” Glasshouse Regional Gallery, Port Macquarie

2015 . BEAMS art festival, Chippendale, Sydney

2014. “Northern Exposure 3” at the Glasshouse Regional Gallery, Port Macquarie

2014. “A bit blue” art show, Mercure Gallery, Mercure Hotel Kings Cross, Sydney

2013. St. Mark’s Annual Art Show, South Hurstville, Sydney (featured artist)

2011. “ Together in Harmony” KWASS show, Noori and Arum Galleries, South Korea

2011. Curated Group Exhibition, BOM Gallery, Seoul, South Korea

2009. Annual November Show Oatley 101, Sydney (invited artist).

2009. Small Works group exhibition, Brunswick Street Gallery, Melbourne.

2007. BreastCheque Art Show at Deutscher Menzies, Melbourne.

2007. “April Mixed Show” at The Wallspace Gallery, Surry Hills, Sydney.

2006. “Originals” at The Wallspace Gallery, Surry Hills, Sydney (five paintings).

2006. International Art show, Conflux 3, National Museum of Australia, Canberra.

1999. Group exhibition at St. George technical college, paintings and drawings.

 

Awards 

2013-15. Winner (Religious, Open and Drawing categories), Port Macquarie Easter Art Prize

2013. Second Prize (Religious art and Miniature art categories), Port Macquarie Easter Art Prize.

2012. Website www.berichenderson.com selected by NGA library for preservation and archiving.

2012. Selected national art postcard distribution by AvantCards (Australia in Sept 2012).

2009. Selected national art postcard distribution by AvantCards (Australia in July 2009).

2008. Third Prize Creative Quarterly art competition (Fine arts section; www.CQjournal.com ).

2006. Featured in the “Masters of Fantasy Volume 3” interactive CD.

2005. Winner, graphic logo art competition at St. George Regional Museum in Sydney, for the design of the Dragon’s Lair Art Gallery. Presented by the Mayor of Hurstville.

 

Public Commissions

2014 . Painted a one-metre tall fibreglass koala for award-winning “Hello Koalas” tourism project in Port Macquarie. “Koala Noir” was commissioned by The Observatory Hotel and Carbon Reduction Institute.

 

Selected Art Prize finalist (selection process, from 2010 shown)

  • 2020. Mandorla Religious Art Prize (Stala Contemporary), Perth
  • 2020. Adelaide Perry Drawing Prize, PLC Croydon, Sydney
  • 2019. Korea Australia Art Foundation (KAAF) Art prize, Sydney (semi-finalist)
  • 2018. Lethbridge 10000 Art Prize, Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane
  • 2018. Mandorla Religious Art Prize (Turner Galleries), Perth
  • 2017. Lethbridge 10000 Art Prize (online finalist), Brisbane
  • 2016. Mandorla Religious Art Prize (Linton&Kay Gallery) and touring exhibition, Perth
  • 2015. Chapel on Station Religious Art Prize, Melbourne
  • 2015. New World Art Prize, Chippendale Sydney
  • 2014. Korea Australia Art Foundation (KAAF) Art prize, Sydney
  • 2014. Chapel on Station Religious Art Prize, Melbourne.
  • 2014. New World Art Prize, Chippendale Sydney
  • 2014. Port Macquarie Easter Art Prize (Winner, Open category)
  • 2013. Fisher’s Ghost Art Award, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Sydney
  • 2013. Chapel on Station Religious Art Prize, Melbourne.
  • 2013. Cliftons Art Prize, Sydney 2012. St George Art Prize, Hurstville Museum, Sydney
  • 2012. Westmead Public Hospital art prize, Sydney
  • 2012. Adelaide Perry Drawing Prize, PLC Croydon, Sydney
  • 2011. Adelaide Perry Drawing Prize, PLC Croydon, Sydney
  • 2011. Lethbridge 10000 Art Prize, Brisbane
  • 2010. St George Art Prize, Hurstville Museum, Sydney

Selected Invitationals (*international)

  • 2021. San Carlos Light Box displays, Melbourne
  • 2020. “Northern Exposure 6” Glasshouse Regional Gallery, Port Macquarie
  • 2019*. “Equilibrium” presented by Art Science Exhibits (Berlin) and Italian-German cultural society at Palazzo Albrizzi, official venue of Venice Biennale
  • 2019. (1st June-1st August). Curator: MP Warming. Italy
  • 2018. Mandorla finalist touring exhibition, New Norcia and Health Centres, WA (July-Aug)
  • 2018. Westmead Institute for Medical Research 21st anniversary fundraiser auction, Sydney
  • 2018. “Northern Exposure 5” Glasshouse Regional Gallery, Port Macquarie (July-Sept)
  • 2017. “Untitled” group show at Traffic Jam Galleries, Neutral Bay, Sydney
  • 2016. One of 5 Mandorla art award finalists selected to exhibit at St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth
  • 2016. BEAMS light art festival, Chippendale, Sydney
  • 2016. “Northern Exposure 4” Glasshouse Regional Gallery, Port Macquarie
  • 2015. BEAMS light art festival, Chippendale, Sydney
  • 2011*. “Together in Harmony” KWASS show, Noori and Arum Galleries, South Korea
  • 2011*. Curated Group Exhibition, BOM Gallery, Seoul, South Korea
  • 2009. Annual November Show Oatley 101, Sydney (invited artist).
  • 2007. BreastCheque Art Show at Deutscher Menzies, Melbourne. (raised $1200 for cancer)
  • 2006. “Originals” at The Wallspace Gallery, Surry Hills, Sydney (five paintings).

Awards

  • 2016-2017*. Shortlisted (twice) for London International Creative Competition (from 1400 entries)
  • 2013-15. Winner (Religious, Open and Drawing categories), Port Macquarie Easter Art Prize
  • 2009/2012. Selected national art postcard distribution by AvantCards
  • 2005. Winner, graphic logo art competition at St. George Regional Museum in Sydney.

Public Commissions

  • 2014. Painted a one-metre tall fibreglass koala for award-winning “Hello Koalas” tourism project in Port Macquarie. “Koala Noir” was commissioned by The Observatory Hotel and Carbon Reduction Institute.

Private collections: Australia, USA

Public or corporate collections: New Norcia Religious Art Collection, New Norcia, WA; Avantcards Head office, Sydney; Arthouse Hotel, Sydney; Westmead Hospital collection, Sydney; Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney; Elders Insurance, Port Macquarie NSW; Port Macquarie Art Society, NSW; Grace Church Port Macquarie

  • 1998-1999. Southern Sydney technical college (St. George TAFE).
  • Art history and criticism by course work, “Issues and images in 20th century art”, UNSW

instagram: @berichenderson

www.berichenderson.com

www.ultragrafik.com

 

Living with Koalas 100 artworks