New T-Shirts designed by Merry Sparks
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Merry Sparks
painter
My Objective -
To continue to build and provide a strong unique, contemporary, quality souvenir/ gift / interior accessories brand, which celebrates Australia’s unique identity and cultural heritage; attracts an international audience to Australia; and enriches the lives of Australians by reinforcing our identity and reminding us who we are.
Artist's often state that their work is a reflection of themselves coupled with context from their societal references and natural surroundings.
I believe that we as a nation may be losing our identity. My mandate is to reacquaint us with who we really are. I am finding our Australian identity.
As Australia’s “Andy Warhol” and “Queen of Kitsch”, I specialize in painting Pop-Art considered to be very much “in” for the long term and my primary artistic focus is the promotion of our iconic Australian culture and brand both within our country and for the international stage via Merry Sparks - Art & Design.
I also aim to raise awareness to fauna conservation and support any initiatives for which my energetic Pop Art painting may stimulate positive action. My paintings also reflect other symbolic icons across the world with which we are all familiar.
Born and raised in Adelaide, South Australia, I’m now based in Brisbane and have pursued my arts career for over 25 years. My modest family education stressed the majesty of our land and appreciation for the smallest shred of beauty even where none seemed to exist.
I remember fondly the smell of eucalyptus after a storm, the local creek supporting new life to discover under every rock, the freedom of adolescent exploration with the neighbourhood tribe, daily lunches featuring Vegemite or kicking the Sherrin down the street with Dad. Admittedly nostalgic and humbled by our inspirational heritage, I’m never short of subject matter.
I’ve culled traditional painting techniques to embark on a new era. Photography combined with a background in computer technology, a sharp eye for interior design and years of painting experience allow me to offer original artwork in various media to a contemporary audience for whom brash is a compliment, individuality can be worn on a sleeve and life is meant to live.
Tourism drives commerce. Direct spending by resident and international travellers generates tax revenue for local, state and federal governments. I have found a niche in the tourism industry which has been missing since the days of Ken Done in the 1990s and I am filling this niche with my commercial approach to art by printing my paintings images on to quality products. Highest archival quality giclée prints are also available for many of my paintings on stretched canvas or paper in a range of sizes suitable for any residential or commercial project.
Commissioned paintings are welcome. I want every Australian to wear one of my T-shirts and feel proud to do so and I want every tourist to wear one, so they can remember the dream from which they’ve just exited as they leave our shores.
Australia presents Merry Sparks and Merry Sparks presents Australia.
To continue to build and provide a strong unique, contemporary, quality souvenir/ gift / interior accessories brand, which celebrates Australia’s unique identity and cultural heritage; attracts an international audience to Australia; and enriches the lives of Australians by reinforcing our identity and reminding us who we are.
Artist's often state that their work is a reflection of themselves coupled with context from their societal references and natural surroundings.
I believe that we as a nation may be losing our identity. My mandate is to reacquaint us with who we really are. I am finding our Australian identity.
As Australia’s “Andy Warhol” and “Queen of Kitsch”, I specialize in painting Pop-Art considered to be very much “in” for the long term and my primary artistic focus is the promotion of our iconic Australian culture and brand both within our country and for the international stage via Merry Sparks - Art & Design.
I also aim to raise awareness to fauna conservation and support any initiatives for which my energetic Pop Art painting may stimulate positive action. My paintings also reflect other symbolic icons across the world with which we are all familiar.
Born and raised in Adelaide, South Australia, I’m now based in Brisbane and have pursued my arts career for over 25 years. My modest family education stressed the majesty of our land and appreciation for the smallest shred of beauty even where none seemed to exist.
I remember fondly the smell of eucalyptus after a storm, the local creek supporting new life to discover under every rock, the freedom of adolescent exploration with the neighbourhood tribe, daily lunches featuring Vegemite or kicking the Sherrin down the street with Dad. Admittedly nostalgic and humbled by our inspirational heritage, I’m never short of subject matter.
I’ve culled traditional painting techniques to embark on a new era. Photography combined with a background in computer technology, a sharp eye for interior design and years of painting experience allow me to offer original artwork in various media to a contemporary audience for whom brash is a compliment, individuality can be worn on a sleeve and life is meant to live.
Tourism drives commerce. Direct spending by resident and international travellers generates tax revenue for local, state and federal governments. I have found a niche in the tourism industry which has been missing since the days of Ken Done in the 1990s and I am filling this niche with my commercial approach to art by printing my paintings images on to quality products. Highest archival quality giclée prints are also available for many of my paintings on stretched canvas or paper in a range of sizes suitable for any residential or commercial project.
Commissioned paintings are welcome. I want every Australian to wear one of my T-shirts and feel proud to do so and I want every tourist to wear one, so they can remember the dream from which they’ve just exited as they leave our shores.
Australia presents Merry Sparks and Merry Sparks presents Australia.
Curriculum vitae
I am a Professional Artist based in Brisbane, Australia, and I am influenced by Pop-Art. My paintings reflect symbolic icons with which we are all familiar across the world and our iconic Australian culture. We have lost our identity lately, I’m finding it.
My paintings combine intrigue, eccentricity, sensitivity and beautiful color sense. Some lean towards being dark and edgy.
Gallery representation
C Gallery – Brisbane, Australia
Landsborough Galleries – Landsborough, Australia
Montville Artspace – Montville, Sunshine Coast, Australia
Australia Zoo – Beerwah, Australia
Wentworth Gallery - Sydney, Australia
Nexus Modern Art and Breslin Gallery – Melbourne, Australia
Choosy – Brisbane, Australia (online)
Ardleigh Cleveland Gallery - Sunshine Coast, Australia (online)
Art House Reproductions – Brisbane, Australia (online)
Bluethumb Gallery – Sydney, Australia (online)
Individual exhibitions:
2012 - C Gallery, Brisbane – “Merry Sparks Pops Australia”
2012 - Brisbane Art Expo
2007 - Solo Exhibition at RM Galleries, Hamilton
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 - Guest Artist, Simon's Gourmet Gallery, Chapel Hill
2000 - Solo Exhibition at Xotique, Milton
Selected group exhibitions
2013 - Breslin Gallery “Eclectika”, Melbourne, Australia
2012 - Clayton Utz Launch Award Finalist
2012 - C Gallery, Brisbane – September and November
2012 - Lethbridge Small Scale Art Prize Finalist
2011, 2012 - Ipswich Art Awards 2012 Grammar Art Show
2011 - Hillsdon Art Show
2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 - Nona Galleries, Brisbane Institute of Art, Windsor - "Ten Plus One" exhibition
2008 - Robyn Bauer Studio Gallery - "Gallery Walk", Paddington
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 - Nona Galleries, Brisbane Institute of Art, Windsor
2008 - Kiln Gallery, Paddington - "Wonderland Exhibition"
2006, 2007 - RM Galleries, Hamilton
2005 - Tracey Keller Gallery, New Farm
2005 - Art Promotions Queensland "Bushstrokes", Waterfront Place, Queensland
2005 - Art Promotions Queensland "Bluecare Exhibition", Waterfront Place, Queensland
2004 - Indooroopilly Montessori Preschool Art Show, Queensland
2001, 2003 - Indooroopilly State School Exhibition, Queensland
2003 - Annual Courier Mail Home Show Exhibition, Queensland
2002 - Annual Pine Rivers Exhibition, Queensland
2001 - Red Works, Rosalie, Queensland
2000 - Corso De Fiori, Milton, Queensland
2000 - Black and Spiro, Fortitude Valley, Queensland
2000 - James Renwick Gallery, Toowoomba, Queensland
1998 - Annual Rotary Art Exhibition, South Australia
1998 - Blackwood Art Exhibition, South Australia
Other Art Prizes
2013 - Sir John Sulman Prize, Sydney, Australia
2013 - Fleurieu Art Prize, South Australia, Australia
2013 - Clayton Utz Launch Award – 2013
2009, 2012 - Archibald Prize
2012 - Moran National Portrait Prize
2012 - Sunshine Coast Art Prize
2012 - Gold Coast Art Prize
2012 - Churchie Art Prize
2011 - Mossman Art Prize
Charities Supported
2013 - Guide Dogs Queensland, Australia
2013 - Butterfly Babies – 2013
2012 - SecondBite
2012 - Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) Foundation
2012 - Redkite Foundation
2007 - St Peters Lutheran College, Indooroopilly
2005 - "Henry's Tent" in support of Royal Women’s and Children's Hospital
2004 - Cancer Research
