Ben Shearer

Ben Shearer
Following studies in textiles in Australia and Scotland, Ben Shearer worked as a textile designer before developing a reputation as one of Australia's most successful textile artists. His heavily textured wall hangings and tapestries feature in collections in Australia and around the world.

Shearer started painting in the water-colour medium towards the end of the 1970's and rapidly established himself as a leading contemporary artist. He is particularly well-known for his interpretations of the Australian landscape, in all its harsh beauty. Shearer has travelled extensively around the continent, developing an empathy with the landscape, from the bush of southern Australia through the highlands to the outback wilderness and the watery beauty of Kakadu. His work explores and conveys the vastness and yet subtlety of the continent, as well as its unique light.

Shearer's current works have been influenced by a recent trip retracing the path of the explorers Burke and Wills from the air, and traversing the Simpson Desert and visiting Lake Eyre. A recent visit to the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands and journeying along the Mount Davies Road and Anne Beadell Highway has been a great source of inspiration. The awesome landscape and the brilliant light and heat of this area has provided new challenges and new scope for the interpretative skills and technical abilities of this talented Australian artist.

Ben has exhibited widely throughout Australia, Hong Kong and England.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
2004
Hill-Smith Fine Art
2003
Axia Modern Art, Melbourne
Australian Art Resources, Sydney
2002
Solander Gallery, Canberra
Axia Modern Art, Melbourne
2001
The Gallery, Cirencester, England
2000
Michael Commerford Gallery, Sydney
1999
Gould Gallery, Melbourne
1998
The Gallery, Cirencester, England
Solander Gallery, Canberra
1997
Gould Galleries, Melbourne
1995
Gould Galleries, Melbourne
1994
Holdsworth Gallery, Sydney
1993
Gould Galleries, Melbourne
Solander Galleries, Canberra
1992
Hill Smith Fine Art Gallery, Adelaide
Holdsworth Gallery, Sydney
1991
Solander Gallery, Canberra
1990
Gould Galleries, Melbourne
1989
Bay Galleries, Perth
Hill-Smith Fine Art Gallery, Adelaide
Holdsworth Gallery, Sydney
1988
Gould Galleries, Melbourne
Solander Gallery, Canberra
1987
Hill-Smith Fine Art Gallery, Adelaide
Holdsworth Gallery, Sydney
1986
Solander Gallery, Canberra
Gallery 21, Melbourne
1985
Leveson Gallery, Melbourne
1984
Holdsworth Gallery, Sydney
1982
Solander Gallery, Canberra
1981
Leveson Gallery, Melbourne
Holdsworth Gallery, Sydney
1980
Solander Gallery, Canberra
1979
Holdsworth Gallery, Sydney
1978
Blaxland Gallery, Sydney
1977
Liberty's London
Australian Galleries, Melbourne
1976
Textural Art Gallery, London
Manyung Gallery, Mt Eliza
1975
The Craft Centre, Melbourne
1972
Realities Gallery, Melbourne
1971
Australian Sculpture Gallery, Melbourne
1970
Russell Davies Gallery, Melbourne
1969
Aladdin Gallery, Sydney

COLLECTIONS:
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra; Shepparton Art Gallery; Australian National University, Canberra; University of Melbourne; BHP Collection; Western Mining Corporation; Rothschild Bank; AMP Society' New Zealand Wool Corporation; Pacific Dunlop; Melbourne Hilton; Okinawa Hilton, Japan; Sheraton Hotel, Hong Kong and is represented in numerous corporate and private collections in Australia and overseas.