Garden gallery opens doors

Sue Jarvis will open her home gallery to the public on weekends throughout October. Photo: STEWART CHAMBERS 363761_01

By Eleanor Wilson

Celebrated Gembrook artist Sue Jarvis is inviting art lovers into her perennial home garden for her 2023 showcase.

A 60-piece collection of works from Ms Jarvis’ career will be cast amongst three hectares of botanic garden on weekends throughout October and by appointment thereafter.

For the first time, the art pieces, including landscapes, figure work and abstract social commentary pieces will be available for sale.

Her oil on canvas painting, The Grey Suit, a recent finalist in the Emerald Art Society’s coveted John Dudley Portrait Prize, will feature, along with a series of other works from across Ms Jarvis’ artistic career.

She hopes the exhibition will give attendees a snapshot of an artist’s viewpoint of everyday life forms.

“A lot of my work encompasses the things I come across and people I meet, but also how I think,“ Ms Jarvis said.

“Being visually aware of everyday surroundings is very important, subjects are everywhere and I would love to see people interested in the experience of an artist over time.“

It is the award-winning artist’s first exhibition since April last year, when the Cardinia Cultural Centre showcased ‘Art that makes you think’ – a collection of thought provoking pieces which tackled concepts such as modern life, ideal beauty, sacrifices of war and global warming.

Ms Jarvis has been part of the local arts community for over 50 years, working as artist in residence at Beaconhills College in Pakenham, Creative Recovery Facilitator for the Bunyip Forest area fires (2019), liaising with local industry, Pakenham Racing Club, Harding’s Orchard, and the Independent Restaurant, Gembrook.

Her work has been recognised at art shows across the South East, greater Gippsland and Sydney and has had her work showcased in collections at the State Library, Melbourne and The Shrine of Remembrance.

Ms Jarvis’ exhibition will be featured at her gallery and garden at 24 Blackwood Lane, Gembrook on from 10am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays from 7 October to 29 October.

Parking is available on site.