Meet Marg Dubowski, IAVA’s newest member. We asked Marg a few getting to know you questions.
What is your earliest memory of an interaction with art?
The memory of my maternal grandfather painting in his studio goes back to my very early childhood. He and my grandmother would also take me camping in Australia’s eastern bushlands to paint ‘en plein air’; my grandfather with his easel, pencils and paintbox, and she with her watercolours for hours at a time.
I also remember my mother painting watercolour flowers and birds, and my father painting landscapes in oils when we lived on Lord Howe Island for a time. In that beautiful childhood environment, my own love of drawing plants and shells began too.
How would you describe your art practice?
Strongly influenced by my grandfather and father’s example, detailed graphite drawing has long been my first love and underpinned my art practices. It led to me doing botanical drawings for the text ‘Native Trees of the Central Illawarra’ in 1985.
I then developed an interest in painting Australian flora though oils and acrylics on papers, linen and board - moving away from the detailed monotone nature of my earlier work.
Most recently, I’ve adopted a much looser and bolder approach to my art making - exploring a range of new subjects through new colour palettes and an increasing level of abstraction.
Do you have a favourite artist and/or artwork? What is it that makes them your favourite?
My favourite artists are the Sydney Moderns; namely Roy de Maistre (his ‘Rhythmic Composition in yellow green minor’ 1919), Grace Cossington Smith (‘Trees’ 1926), Margaret Preston (‘Banksia Cobs’ 1933) and Roland Wakelin (‘Botanical Gardens, Sydney’ 1926). Studying their ground-breaking ideas around colour harmony, and the movement and light within their works has been a constant source of inspiration as I develop my own understandings of these elements.
Most recent adventure or achievement?
Exhibiting my paintings publicly for the first time has been a big step this past year but I am enjoying the adventure.
My most recent achievement was being granted a scholarship to study with Fiona Hall in August this year. Seeing her beautiful and fascinating work ‘Paradisus Terestrus’ 1989 is still one of my most memorable exhibition experiences.
Any current goals you’re working towards?
Growing my beginner classes for older women is my current goal.
It is a delight and a privilege to be able to usher others into the wonderful world of creative expression and practice later in life.
Marg Dubowski in her Studio.