let’s talk about art’ reveals the contrasts and contradictions of Gennifer's approach to storytelling in art; all the good things and the bad things, while being a reflection of life. Conflicting qualities of order and chaos, joy and sorrow, light and dark can and do coexist and bounce off each other. Art, like life, is always beautiful, it’s the emotional power of art that is sometimes unsettling, complex or disturbing.

"After I return from an overseas holiday, friends often ask if I am inspired to paint my holiday experiences. Well, most of the time I tell them I don't need to travel further than life right here on the South Coast... So many moments crammed into my files for future works, and I will never have the time to realise even half of them. This exhibition is just some of these inspirations realised, close to Berry." 

"This Collection is inspired by the glorious gardens in our local area. Spaces that capture our imaginations and allow us to slow down and connect with the natural world... A visit from a King Parrot on the garden fence, to a vase filled with home grown flowers. These moments remind us to appreciate our every day surroundings and the simplicity of nature."

Renee's inspiration for painting bright landscapes often stems from the beauty of nature itself. The South Coast has that in abundance. Sunny days, blue skies, lush green meadows, the play of light and shadows on tranquil waters... they are the perfect combination to put on canvas. With heavy bold texture and a palette knife, her strokes free up the process to capture the rawness of the land. These scenes evoke feelings of joy and serenity, capturing that perfect day. 

"The paintings in this exhibition were selected from works that use many different styles and media. Their common factor is that they are all images of favourite subjects. What could be more colourful than our Australian landscape? What is more fascinating than the varied forms and beauty of flowers? It is this natural world that inspires me. This is what I choose to paint! I hope viewers enjoy these landscape and floral Favourites!" Helen Pain

For many artists living in Australia, engagement with the landscape is inevitable. Travelling around Australia in her early 20's, living in remote areas, has given Rebecca a strong sense of spirit and connection to place. Sketching en plain air, she then returns to her studio where she builds layers of impasto and oil paint to convey the mood and the beauty of the chosen scene. From the Illawarra escarpment meeting the ocean, to the rolling hills & vistas of the Shoalhaven, 'Light & Landscapes' is an exhibition not to be missed.

"This year I am retiring as a professional artist. A common response to this news is ‘How can you retire from something that isn’t work in the first place?’ This is a misunderstanding! To use the words of Thomas Edison, good art is 99% perspiration and only 1% inspiration. In this exhibition I wish to explain a bit about the work that lies behind the oil paintings I have produced over the last 16 years. There will be paintings from different stages of my career on display, though most will be recent ones." Philip Miles 

Marc Poisson and Janetha Poisson-Lyon return to The Garden with their enchanting exhibition 'Vistas Of The Illawarra'. 

Capturing the sheer beauty of the Illawarra, including Kiama and the Shoalhaven region - this stunning exhibition celebrates the bright, sunlit colour and atmosphere of the landscape, as well as the birdlife in all its shining splendour. Come along and enjoy the extraordinary visuals of this remarkable region of NSW.

Jack's work is inspired by the mythology of the Australian bush, “her beauty and her terror”, a mythos deeply ingrained in our national psyche.

Abstract and calligraphic, echoing shapes and patterns observed in nature, he creates acrylic paintings imbued with a sense of mystery and allure, exploring our sense of identity and our uneasy relationship with the natural landscape.

'The Four Elements' explores the harmonious interplay of fire, water, air, and earth, elements that not only shape our environment but also inform Natalija's artistic process.

Robyn has lived in Foxground since the late 1970's and it and the surrounding lands continue to inspire her work. Lately her style has taken on a more abstract direction, but it is always inspired by sketches and photos that she has made on location. Her work features lively colour schemes and interesting textures and often incorporates other elements like collage.

Celebrating the unique natural beauty of this stunning part of Australia; from the mist covered escarpment of the Illawarra, to the ocean pools of Gerringong, and the Waratahs in full bloom under flocks of black cockatoos.