MY first solo show - A Lifetime in the Making

I wanted to write this blog post to mark a milestone: my first solo show. It’s so easy to brush over big moments, but this one deserves to be celebrated and shared.

This is my first solo show—at the age of 54! I know that might not seem like much of an achievement to some, but if you’re feeling that way, you might just be hearing one of those voices I’ve often had in my own head. I can’t help but feel proud of myself, even if it’s taken a while. For me, this show feels like an act of rebellion: taking up space in a small part of the art world that I never thought would have room for me.

When I look at young women today, I see how brave and self-assured they are. Growing up, that wasn’t encouraged. I was born at the end of 1969 to Irish parents in London, where landlords could openly state, “No Blacks, No Irish.” My parents gently encouraged us to keep our heads down, blend in, and make the best of it. In the ’70s, with the troubles in Northern Ireland, Irish people were often viewed suspiciously. Pride in heritage or being different wasn’t encouraged. On top of that, there wasn’t much expectation for girls beyond family life. I don’t think I dared to dream much back then, except that I loved the idea of living somewhere else in the world someday. As a child, I loved sewing, making unique clothes for my dolls and eventually myself. Creating something original filled me with joy, though I didn’t yet know it was a spark I could follow.

By Year 10, I didn’t do well on exams, and it was decided I didn’t have what it took for A-Levels or university. Back then, if you weren’t going to university, you went to secretarial school, and that’s what I did. I threw myself into it because it felt like a real path to a real job. And in my 20s, I did get married, and I had three children. Life became full, but that creative itch never went away. I made clothes for my daughters, crafted curtains and blinds for a short-lived business, and loved decorating our home. But there was always this ache for something more.

At 33, when my youngest started preschool, I decided it was my turn. I applied to a Diploma in Art & Design program, and to my surprise, I got in! That course opened up so many creative possibilities, I wanted to pursue all of them. Ultimately, I chose Fine Art for practical reasons; it was the only course offered part-time, and my dad could help with the school run on class days. Looking back, it’s funny; I’d never even been to an art gallery before! I didn’t know the first thing about Fine Art, but I loved the digital design aspect. Photoshop, with its layers, felt like magic. I loved painting digitally, and that eventually led me to paint traditionally.

In 2008, a whole new dream appeared when the opportunity to move to Australia came along. It was a big decision, but I’ve always believed we’re more likely to regret the chances we don’t take. And moving here was a revelation. Australia’s “can do” attitude filled me with excitement. I joined a local painting class, and some of the friends I made there were at my exhibition opening last weekend, sixteen years later.

My show, Where Wild Flowers Bloom, holds so much meaning for me. Wildflowers represent women—especially those who bloom where they aren’t always expected to. Wildflowers push through rocky ground to find the sun. They don’t need permission to grow or feel the need to apologise. They bloom in vivid, unapologetic colour. I think I’m in my wildflower era, fully stepping into who I am and what I want to share.

Australian wildflowers are special to me because this country gave me the space to grow in ways I hadn’t thought possible. Here, I’ve had the chance to let my creative side shine and grow braver in my choices. Life has had its challenges, and there’s been plenty of hard-won growth along the way. But I wouldn’t change a thing. It might have taken me 54 years to get here, but I know I couldn’t have created this work without those years and experiences. My younger self wouldn’t have believed it, but I think she’d be pretty impressed.

'Where Wild Flowers Bloom'

Until November 2nd, 2024

Manyung Gallery Mt Eliza

54 Mt Eliza Way, Mt Eliza

mteliza@manyunggallery.com.au

Open Tuesday 11am - 5pm

Wednesday - Friday 10am - 5pm,

Saturdays 9am - 4pm