ARTIST BIO

Shay Downer | Artist

www.shaydowner.com

Initially trained as an illustrator, Shay Downer has been creating commissioned portraits since 2000. However it's only been in the last few years that Shay has been devoted to her art practice. Working predominantly with charcoal on canvas, Shay creates realistic drawings that reflect the human condition and strive to evoke an emotional response from the viewer.

She was a finalist in the Rick Amor and Paul Guest art prizes in 2016.

Commissions are welcome.

Professional Art Qualifications and Education
2017    Various Workshops & Classes with Godwin Bradbeer, Erika Gofton, & Nic Plowman, The Art Room, Melbourne
2016    Various Workshops & Classes with Godwin Bradbeer, Erika Gofton, & Nic Plowman, The Art Room, Melbourne
2015    Workshop – Life Drawing Masterclass with Godwin Bradbeer, The Art Room, Melbourne
2014    Life drawing classes with Erika Gofton, The Art Room, Melbourne
2013    Workshop – Drawing from Life with David Kassan, The Art Academy, Adelaide
1998    Diploma of Arts (Illustration), Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE
1993    Advanced Certificate in Art & Design, Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE

Exhibitions
2017    Visible Mending, Gee Lee-Wik Doleen Gallery, Craigieburn VIC (17 August – 15 October 2017)
2017    Cambridge Studio Gallery, Collingwood, VIC (6 – 17 December 2017)

Group Exhibitions
2017    Who’s Looking At You? Portrait Prize, Cambridge Studio Gallery, Collingwood, VIC
2017    Trentham Art & Craft Show, Trentham, VIC
2016-17    Linden Postcard Show, Linden New Art Gallery, St Kilda, VIC
2016    Macedon Ranges Art Trail Group Exhibiton, Cope-Williams Winery & Gallery, Romsey, VIC
2016    Emerging Art Australia, Inner Space Gallery, Prahran, VIC
2016    Paul Guest Prize, Bendigo Art Gallery, Bendigo VIC
2016    Rick Amor Drawing Prize, Art Gallery of Ballarat, Ballarat VIC
2016    Moonee Valley Art Show, Essendon, VIC
2016    Trentham Art & Craft Show, Trentham, VIC
2016    Woodend Lions Art Show, Woodend, VIC
2016    Who’s Looking At You? Portrait Prize, Cambridge Studio Gallery, Collingwood, VIC
2015    Emerging Art Australia, Smith Street Gallery, Fitzroy, VIC
2015    Linden Postcard Show, Linden New Art Gallery, St Kilda, VIC
2015    Camberwell Art Show, Swinburne University, Hawthorn, VIC
2013    Mortimore Art Prize, Dubbo, NSW & touring various venues
2013    Trentham Art & Craft show, Trentham, VIC

Prizes & Awards
2017    Finalist, Who’s Looking At You? Portrait Prize
           Winner: People’s Choice Award
2017    Highly Commended Gweneth Wisewould Portrait Prize, Trentham Art Show
           Best Other Media, Trentham Art Show
           Hangers Award, Trentham Art Show
2016    Finalist, Rick Amor Drawing Prize
2016    Finalist, Paul Guest Prize
2016    Professional Development Grant - Hume City Council Art Awards
2016    Finalist, Who’s Looking At You? Portrait Prize
2013    Finalist, Mortimore Art Prize

Associations / Membership
2015    NAVA (National Association for the Visual Arts)
2015     Member of Macedon Ranges Art Trail

Teaching
2017         Portrait Workshops at various local Art Groups
2016-17    Sessional Classes & 1 Day Workshops, Arthouse Direct, Sunbury, Richmond & Bendigo
2017         Sessional Classes, Sunbury Community House
2015-17    Personalised tutoring.