There is a long history of visual art in the Illawarra. Aboriginal cave paintings, thousands of years old, are hidden in the rocks of the escarpment.
Since colonists visited the area, the landscape has been a source and inspiration for drawings and paintings. In the 1800s, Eugene Von Guerard painted views across coastal plains and the cabbage tree forests so foreign to European eyes. Conrad Martens painted the seascape of what would become Wollongong Harbour and John Skinner Prout sketched Fairy Creek. Charles Kerry made a series of photographs along the coast showing the landscape changed by European settlement and the precarious coast road, where horses and carriages moved people and goods.
In the 1900s, the spectacular coastline such as the cliffs at Stanwell Park inspired painters such as Emanuel Phillips Fox. Modernists came to the area seeking to simplify forms and focus on colour. Adelaide Perry painted the seascapes at Austinmer and Coledale and Grace Cossington Smith, the sea and swimmers at Thirroul. Later, Garry Shead’s distinctive figures frolicked in the surf and socialised on coastal verandahs.
In the 21st century, artists such as Ashley Frost, Paul Ryan and Tanya Stubbles have received national and international recognition through their work with a strong local sense of place. Ian Gentle’s evocative sculptures of organic forms are to be celebrated over the coming summer.
Wollongong City Libraries have images of early artwork and photographs which can be accessed through the library catalogue searching Illawarra Images.
Wollongong Art Gallery holds works inspired by the local area many of which can be viewed digitally on their website.
The teaching of visual art has also been a strength in the Illawarra, through schools, TAFE and UOW.
Wollongong City Libraries recently interviewed Deirdre Armstrong who went to school in Wollongong and after tertiary training in art and education returned to the area to work as an artist, secondary, tertiary and community art teacher, curriculum developer, community gallery owner and curator. She has been a great networker in the local arts community and generous in mentoring, supporting and promoting local students and artists.
You can stream or download the interview here.