A BRIEF HISTORY
Rick Everingham was born in Sydney, Australia, in 1945. He moved to Brisbane in 1968, and has progressively established himself as a successful and respected artist.
Since his first one-man exhibition in 1970, Rick has worked continuously as a painter, holding numerous exhibitions in Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, and gaining an ever increasing following along the way. International shows have been held in Los Angeles, Tokyo, and in Italy in Soiana and San Gimignano. His paintings are generally oil and acrylic on board or canvas. His work is imbued with a sense of subtle light and a feeling for the peaceful ambience of particular places. His love of reflections, of patinas on walls, and interesting windows and doors, has persisted as subject material from the beginning of his career, but his subjects have also included beaches, hillsides, still life, portraits and a large series of paintings of children. A painting trip to Italy in 1991 brought about a major shift in focus and change in subject matter. Annual trips to Italy, and also visits to Greece and France, fueled his passion for finding different subjects, and he has produced a body of works that capture the very essence of these unique places. In 1999, Rick and his wife Desley purchased a house in a small town in Tuscany, to enable them to get closer to his subject matter and generally immerse themselves in the Italian culture. A long held dream of also working on sculptures is being realized. Although Rick’s main activity will always be painting, his first marble and a series of bronzes have been produced. |
In 2002 the Everinghams opened Graydon Gallery in New Farm, Brisbane. This gallery was available for rental by other artists, but in 2004 Rick & Desley decided that running this type of gallery was drawing their energy away from their main objectives, so the gallery was sold.
In 2010 they moved their residency back to Australia, and following 18 months in Brisbane, then 2 years living in Sydney, then the last 4 years living in Maleny, in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland north of Brisbane. Maleny is a beautiful part of the world to live, but a large garden meant not enough time for painting and sculpture, so the Everinghams have now finally moved back to Brisbane proper. More trips to Italy and France are planned for the future, as is another possible foray to the Greek Islands.
Rick’s fascination with Italy is as strong as ever, and the Italian influence will remain in his work for a long time to come.
In 2010 they moved their residency back to Australia, and following 18 months in Brisbane, then 2 years living in Sydney, then the last 4 years living in Maleny, in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland north of Brisbane. Maleny is a beautiful part of the world to live, but a large garden meant not enough time for painting and sculpture, so the Everinghams have now finally moved back to Brisbane proper. More trips to Italy and France are planned for the future, as is another possible foray to the Greek Islands.
Rick’s fascination with Italy is as strong as ever, and the Italian influence will remain in his work for a long time to come.
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
I see life as very simple. Our society seems intent on expressing ever-increasing numbers of disturbing images. I do not wish to add to them.
I view the whole process of life as a journey, with our direction depending on where we focus, and the choices we make. My paintings have always been representational, concerned with the passage of time on the surfaces we experience in our lives. Wherever I go I find certain images, or certain situations, or subtleties, or colours, that strongly appeal to me. I see wonderful connections between these things, and they seem to have a resonance with something inside me. That produces a special feeling, and I find great satisfaction in trying to express this feeling in my work.
When my children were young, their activities were once central to my work. As they have grown, that has changed. Now my wife and I love to travel, and we seek out interesting places in the world. Italy has a wealth of ancient surfaces, and we have been exploring there for 30 years. We find the overall patina irresistible, with its wonderful zest for life and immense cultural heritage. It has qualities for me that I can only explain as a soul connection. We established a home and studio in Italy so that I could immerse myself in this experience.
I am intrigued by the physical appearance of places, and their patina of history, but I also try to express the subtleties of my experience of being there. I believe it is possible to view life in a way that makes it positive and full of joy. The world is a truly magical place where all things are somehow connected, and my paintings are my experience of that connection. I like to create works that remind me that simple beauty is still in existence, wherever I choose to find it.
The aim of my painting is simply to communicate these feelings to others as clearly as possible.
I view the whole process of life as a journey, with our direction depending on where we focus, and the choices we make. My paintings have always been representational, concerned with the passage of time on the surfaces we experience in our lives. Wherever I go I find certain images, or certain situations, or subtleties, or colours, that strongly appeal to me. I see wonderful connections between these things, and they seem to have a resonance with something inside me. That produces a special feeling, and I find great satisfaction in trying to express this feeling in my work.
When my children were young, their activities were once central to my work. As they have grown, that has changed. Now my wife and I love to travel, and we seek out interesting places in the world. Italy has a wealth of ancient surfaces, and we have been exploring there for 30 years. We find the overall patina irresistible, with its wonderful zest for life and immense cultural heritage. It has qualities for me that I can only explain as a soul connection. We established a home and studio in Italy so that I could immerse myself in this experience.
I am intrigued by the physical appearance of places, and their patina of history, but I also try to express the subtleties of my experience of being there. I believe it is possible to view life in a way that makes it positive and full of joy. The world is a truly magical place where all things are somehow connected, and my paintings are my experience of that connection. I like to create works that remind me that simple beauty is still in existence, wherever I choose to find it.
The aim of my painting is simply to communicate these feelings to others as clearly as possible.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES
1945 Born Sydney, Australia.
1962 Started working in Commercial Art Studio in Sydney. Began studying painting with Graeme Inson.
1966 Studied 6 months with water colourist G. K. Townshend. First exhibited in Sydney - Group show called "Retrospection" (sold all paintings).
Called up for National Service into Army. Graduated from Officer Training as 2nd Lieutenant.
1967 Signed for 5 year short service commission in army to become pilot. Air Force Basic Flying Training, Point Cook Vic. Established painting studio in Melbourne.
1968 Transfer to Amberley near Brisbane for Helicopter Flying Training with Army Aviation Regiment. Involved in serious helicopter crash at Amberley, fractured spine – 5 months in hospital.
1969 Discharged from army. Worked in Brisbane as freelance Commercial Artist, and continued painting. Married Desley.
1970 First one-man exhibition (Brisbane). Ceased commercial artwork to paint full time.
1977 Undertook 7-month study tour of galleries and museums of Europe and U.S.A.
1982 First private exhibition in own studio / gallery.
1986 Exhibited in mixed exhibition at Los Angeles, U.S.A., titled "The New Outback - Australian Art Today". Exhibited in mixed exhibition in Switzerland as promotion for Brisbane's bid for 1992 Olympic Games.
1987 Moved to Spring Hill, Brisbane. Opened Victoria Street Gallery.
1989 One man exhibition at Striped House Museum Of Art, Tokyo. (Sponsored by Qantas, Australian Embassy, Australia Japan Foundation). Included in a mixed exhibition in Japan of 9 Australian Photographers titled "Shot From Down Under" at Daicolo Gallery, Osaka,
and Kodak Photo Salon, Ginza, Tokyo (Sponsored by Kodak & Continental Airlines).
1991 Undertook 2 month painting and sketching trip in Italy. Beginning of annual visits.
1992 Exhibition with Grazia Lolli Redini at Palazzo Ciotta in San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy,
Finalist in The Doug Moran National Portrait Prize.
1996 Extended trip to Europe concentrating on gathering material from the Greek Islands.
1997 Filmed sequence on painting Fraser Island for the "Wildlife" program with Olivia Newton-John.
1998 Painting trip to France, Italy and Turkey. Sold House, studio and gallery in Brisbane.
1999 Moved to Italy and bought a house in Tuscany to set up new studio. Began making sculptures in Bronze and marble.
2002 Bought Trevenen House Gallery in Brisbane and renamed it Graydon Gallery to use as studio and exhibiting base in Australia.
2004 Sold Graydon Gallery and held auction of studio stock of paintings.
2005 Granted temporary residence in Italy. Renovated house and studio.
2010 Moved official residence back from Italy to Brisbane. Celebrated 40 years as a full time artist. Held 100th one-man exhibition in November.
2012 Moved to Sydney – established new studio.
2014 Moved to Maleny, Qld. Returned to Italy to sell house in Soiana.
2015 Bought house in Maleny, established new studio.
2016 Opened Rick Everingham Studio /Gallery in Maleny
2017 Moved back to Brisbane - closed the Maleny Gallery - established new studio in Brisbane
EXHIBITION HISTORY
ONE MAN EXHIBITIONS (unless otherwise stated)
Graydon Gallery – Brisbane - 2002, 03, 04,, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 2021
Metcalfe Gallery - Brisbane Institute of Art - 2021, 22, 23
Maunsell Wickes at Barry Stern Gallery - Sydney - 2006, 07, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 2018
Brisbane Emporium – Pop-up Exhibition - 2014
Paintbox Fine Art - Canberra - 2014
Without Pier Gallery – Melbourne - 2009 , 10, 2014
Lightspace Brisbane - Studio Auction - 2013
Cooks Hill Galleries - Newcastle - 1982, 83, 84, 86, 88, 90, 97, 98, 2000, 02, 03, 05, 07, 08, 2011
Maunsell Wickes Gallery – Sydney - Mixed exhibition titled “Rome” as part of the Pope’s visit - 2008
Libby Edwards Galleries – Melbourne - 1997, 2004
Stratton Galleries – Brisbane - 2000, 2001
Valerie Cohen Gallery – Sydney - 1999, 2000
Victoria Street Gallery - Spring Hill, Brisbane - 1987, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 1998
Mary Place Gallery - Sydney - 1996, 97, 98, 2002
Art Gallery Schubert - The Gold Coast, Qld - 1994, 1995
Palazzo Ciotta - San Gimignano - Italy - 1992
Lenore Charlton Galleries - Terranora - 1982, 84, 1991
Holdsworth Galleries - Sydney - 1979, 81, 83, 84, 86, 88, 1990
Brisbane Hilton - Rick Everingham Flood Appeal Auction - 1990
Striped House Museum - Tokyo, Japan (one man exhibition) - 1989
Mixed exhibition of 9 Australian Photographers titled "Shot From Down Under"- Osaka &Tokyo, Japan - 1989
Galloway Galleries – Brisbane - 1986
Mixed Exhibition "The New Outback - Australian Art Today" - Los Angeles Design Centre - U.S.A. - 1986
Mixed Exhibition in conjunction with Brisbane's bid for 1992 Olympic Games - Lucerne - Switzerland. - 1986
Gallery 111 - Rockhampton - 1985
Duntryleague Country Club - Orange - 1985
Rick Everingham Studio – Brisbane - 1982, 83,84, 1985
Cintra House Galleries - Brisbane - 1978, 80, 1982
Hesley Galleries - Orange - 1971, 72, 73, 74, 76, 78, 1980
Hesley Galleries - Canberra - 1972, 74, 75, 76, 77, 1979
Paul Bowker Galleries - Brisbane - 1977
Don McInnes Gallery – Brisbane - 1970, 71, 1977
Prouds Gallery - Sydney - 1974 - 1975
Young Australian Gallery - Brisbane - 1973
Robert Wardrop Galleries - Sydney - 1972
Graydon Gallery – Brisbane - 2002, 03, 04,, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 2021
Metcalfe Gallery - Brisbane Institute of Art - 2021, 22, 23
Maunsell Wickes at Barry Stern Gallery - Sydney - 2006, 07, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 2018
Brisbane Emporium – Pop-up Exhibition - 2014
Paintbox Fine Art - Canberra - 2014
Without Pier Gallery – Melbourne - 2009 , 10, 2014
Lightspace Brisbane - Studio Auction - 2013
Cooks Hill Galleries - Newcastle - 1982, 83, 84, 86, 88, 90, 97, 98, 2000, 02, 03, 05, 07, 08, 2011
Maunsell Wickes Gallery – Sydney - Mixed exhibition titled “Rome” as part of the Pope’s visit - 2008
Libby Edwards Galleries – Melbourne - 1997, 2004
Stratton Galleries – Brisbane - 2000, 2001
Valerie Cohen Gallery – Sydney - 1999, 2000
Victoria Street Gallery - Spring Hill, Brisbane - 1987, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 1998
Mary Place Gallery - Sydney - 1996, 97, 98, 2002
Art Gallery Schubert - The Gold Coast, Qld - 1994, 1995
Palazzo Ciotta - San Gimignano - Italy - 1992
Lenore Charlton Galleries - Terranora - 1982, 84, 1991
Holdsworth Galleries - Sydney - 1979, 81, 83, 84, 86, 88, 1990
Brisbane Hilton - Rick Everingham Flood Appeal Auction - 1990
Striped House Museum - Tokyo, Japan (one man exhibition) - 1989
Mixed exhibition of 9 Australian Photographers titled "Shot From Down Under"- Osaka &Tokyo, Japan - 1989
Galloway Galleries – Brisbane - 1986
Mixed Exhibition "The New Outback - Australian Art Today" - Los Angeles Design Centre - U.S.A. - 1986
Mixed Exhibition in conjunction with Brisbane's bid for 1992 Olympic Games - Lucerne - Switzerland. - 1986
Gallery 111 - Rockhampton - 1985
Duntryleague Country Club - Orange - 1985
Rick Everingham Studio – Brisbane - 1982, 83,84, 1985
Cintra House Galleries - Brisbane - 1978, 80, 1982
Hesley Galleries - Orange - 1971, 72, 73, 74, 76, 78, 1980
Hesley Galleries - Canberra - 1972, 74, 75, 76, 77, 1979
Paul Bowker Galleries - Brisbane - 1977
Don McInnes Gallery – Brisbane - 1970, 71, 1977
Prouds Gallery - Sydney - 1974 - 1975
Young Australian Gallery - Brisbane - 1973
Robert Wardrop Galleries - Sydney - 1972
COLLECTIONS
Paintings in many private and corporate collections throughout Australia. Also in U.S.A., United Kingdom, France, Japan, New Guinea,
New Zealand, Spain, Greece, Italy, Russia, Switzerland.
Important corporate collections include:
AMP Society,
Australia Post,
Bankers Trust Australia
BHP
Cannan and Peterson Solicitors
Commonwealth Art Bank
Cleminger Brisbane Advertising
General Outdoor Advertising - Brisbane
Hilton International - Brisbane
Northern Territory Tourist Commission - Los Angeles
Orange City Art Gallery
Price Waterhouse Accountants
Queensland Department of Child Health
Queensland Newspapers
Quinlan Millar & Treston Solicitors
Suncorp Insurance
Striped House Museum of Art - Tokyo
Whittaker Macnaught Pty Ltd Financial Advisers
New Zealand, Spain, Greece, Italy, Russia, Switzerland.
Important corporate collections include:
AMP Society,
Australia Post,
Bankers Trust Australia
BHP
Cannan and Peterson Solicitors
Commonwealth Art Bank
Cleminger Brisbane Advertising
General Outdoor Advertising - Brisbane
Hilton International - Brisbane
Northern Territory Tourist Commission - Los Angeles
Orange City Art Gallery
Price Waterhouse Accountants
Queensland Department of Child Health
Queensland Newspapers
Quinlan Millar & Treston Solicitors
Suncorp Insurance
Striped House Museum of Art - Tokyo
Whittaker Macnaught Pty Ltd Financial Advisers
PRIZES (Seldom entered)
1972 Purchased - Orange Art Purchase (N.S.W)
1972 Won - Redcliffe Art Prize (QLD)
1973 Won - Redcliffe Art Prize (QLD)
1974 Won - Redcliffe Art Prize (QLD)
1976 Won - American Bicentennial Prize (QLD)
1980 Won - Stanthorpe Art Prize (QLD)
1992 Finalist - Doug Moran National Portrait Prize
2015 Finalist - Paddington Art Prize (Sydney)
2016 Finalist - Stanthorpe Art Prize
2016 Won - Oil Painting Prize - Local Artist Local Content - Caloundra Art Gallery
2020 Finalist - Brisbane Portrait Prize
1972 Won - Redcliffe Art Prize (QLD)
1973 Won - Redcliffe Art Prize (QLD)
1974 Won - Redcliffe Art Prize (QLD)
1976 Won - American Bicentennial Prize (QLD)
1980 Won - Stanthorpe Art Prize (QLD)
1992 Finalist - Doug Moran National Portrait Prize
2015 Finalist - Paddington Art Prize (Sydney)
2016 Finalist - Stanthorpe Art Prize
2016 Won - Oil Painting Prize - Local Artist Local Content - Caloundra Art Gallery
2020 Finalist - Brisbane Portrait Prize
Download my full PDF CV HERE