Allyson Parsons

Allyson Parsons was born in rural South Australia in 1965 and lives and works at her studio near Burra.

Allyson has had no formal training, but has been guided by her mother Marie Parsons, (herself an artist and formerly an Art teacher). Allyson has also been encouraged and assisted by the late Ainslie Roberts.

Allyson won her first major art prize at the annual Victor Harbor Rotary Art Exhibition, one of South Australia's major art events at the age of just eighteen. Born profoundly deaf as a result of rubella, she has overcome many challenges in her life to become a much sought after artist in the State.

Now painting mostly oil on canvas and watercolour, her work reflects the rural landscape and feel for her time growing up in the Yorke Peninsula/Mid North area of South Australia. Of late, she is also exploring outback Australia, Simpson Desert, and pastoral country.

Her works consist of strong composition, simply organised with good colour and tonal relationships. Allyson is an artist who produces work of considerable substance and intensity.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2005
Hill Smith Fine Art, Adelaide
1989
Newton Gallery, Adelaide
1986
Beehive Gallery, Adelaide

GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2008
Director's Choice, Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide
2007
Gallery Artists' Collection, Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide
2005
Libby Edwards Gallery, Melbourne
2003
Craneford Winery, Truro
2001
Hill Smith Fine Art Gallery, Adelaide
1998
Hill Smith Fine Art Gallery, Adelaide
1997
Parachilna Exhibition during "Opera in the Outback"
Family Exhibition, Fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House, Edithburgh
1996
Valerie Cohen Gallery of Fine Art, Paddington, Sydney
1995
The Burra Gallery, Burra, South Australia
1994
Barry Newton Gallery, Adelaide
The "Upstairs Gallery" Cairns, Queensland
1992
Mixed Exhibition Mary Place Gallery, Sydney
1990
Barry Stern Gallery, Paddington, Sydney (mixed Exhibition)
Port Adelaide Rotary Art Show
1987
Contemporary SA Artists Exhibition, Penang (Adelaide Week in
Penang)
1986
Beehive Gallery, Five Young Australians Exhibition

COMMISSIONS:
2000 CMI TOYOTA
1995 District Council of Burra Burra, for J150 Celebrations
1994 Premier of South Australia, Government Offices work
1991 Adelaide City Council (foyer of Town Hall)

AWARDS:
1999
Winner, Port Adelaide Rotary Art Show
1997
Barossa Vintage Festival Art Prize
Victor Harbor Rotary Open Art Prize
1993
Winner, Victor Harbor Rotary Open Art Prize
1990
SA Great Award for Service to the Arts
Winner, Port Adelaide Rotary Art Show Prize
Winner, Victor Harbor Rotary Club Art Prize
1989
Young Australian Achiever Award, (presented by Hon. Bob Hawke)
Deaf Woman of the Year Award by Quota Clubs of SA
Channel 10 Young Achievers Award
Bridgestone Australia Arts Award
Kernawek Lowender Foundation Art Prize (High Commendation)
Victor Harbor Rotary Art Show
1988
Finalist Channel 10 Young Achiever Awards
Bridgestone Australia Arts Award
Heritage Prize, Victor Harbor Rotary Art Show
1987
District Council of Victor Harbor Purchasing Prize, Victor Harbor
Rotary Art Show
1986
Hoescht Australia Prize (under 25 yrs)
Hens Heysen Memorial Art Prize Exhibition, Adelaide
Award of Merit, Victor Harbor Rotary Art Show
1985
Public Vote Prize
Barossa Valley Vintage Festival Collection
1984
SVB Day Porter & Co Prize, Victor Harbor Rotary SArt Show

COLLECTIONS:
State Bank of SA; Mayne Nickless, Melbourne; Australia & New Zealand Bank, Melbourne; Delloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Adelaide; Price Waterhouse, Sydney; Provincial Insurance, Adelaide; Bridgestone Australia, Adelaide; Barossa Valley Vintage Festival Collection, SA; I.E.L., Sydney; Adelaide City Council; Burra Burra District Council; CMI Toyota Adelaide; Barossa Vintage Festival Collection; private collections in the USA, Japan and United Kingdom.