Christine Wrest-Smith

b. 1963

Painter and draughtsman Christine Wrest-Smith studied at Monash University, with a semester at the Prato, Italy. Her realistic paintings and drawings are an exploration of personal territory using the birds nest as a metaphor to examine the process of construction, shelter and space. Each nest is a combination of strength and fragility, its individual characteristics beautifully rendered in paint or charcoal. Wrest-Smith varies her technique to match the personality of the individual nest, those put together with haste are loosely drawn, while those which were meticulously constructed are built up with precise layers of paint as they would have been made with exacting layers of twigs. What began as construction by one being has now become an expression through the process of construction by another. Wrest-Smith’s works have been exhibited in Melbourne and Italy. She was awarded the Savage Club Prize in 2010 and the Masterworks Contemporary Art Prize in 2011. She has completed several portrait commissions and her work is held in public and private collections.

PAST EXHIBITIONS

2021

2020

2017

2014

In Blog

Finalists in the Maritime Art Prize – The Mission to Seafarers

Image above: Christine Wrest-Smith  Jars of glass  2023  oil on linen  76.5 x 76.5 cm Congratulations to Sue Anderson, Dale …

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Christine Wrest-Smith – Finalist in the Fisher’s Ghost Art Award 2022

Image above: Mullock Heaps, Lightening Ridge  2022  oil on linen  91 x 122 cm. Image courtesy of the artist.   …

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For the Love of Trees – Burrinja’s creative response to the devastating June storm event

Image above: Mary Tonkin  After, Kalorama  2021  oil on linen  183 x 320 cm We are delighted to share this …

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Dianne Fogwell – ‘Prescience’ Exhibition at Geelong Gallery

Image above: Dianne Fogwell  Prescience  2023  linocut and woodcut  4,500 x 145 cm  – installation at Geelong Gallery Congratulations to …

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Raymond Arnold Highly Commended & Rodney Pople a Finalist in the 2024 Glover Prize

Image above: Raymond Arnold Congratulations to Raymond Arnold, who has been Highly Commended in the 2024 Glover Prize, and to …

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The 2024 Palmer Sculpture Biennial

Image above: Greg Johns  The Kiss (Buried Alive)  2022-23  Corten steel  140 x 486 x 18cm “Congratulations to Greg Johns …

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Gallery News – When one door closes, another one opens…

The three adjoining properties which comprise the Australian Galleries Sculpture Park in Porcupine Ridge are now on the market. The …

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Marina Strocchi – Featured in The Art of Healing magazine

Image above: Marina Strocchi  Dusk in the Hills  2023  acrylic on linen  60 x 93 cm Marina Strocchi’s insightful writing …

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Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe 2024

Image above: Greg Johns  Sit Down Fella (Contemplative)  2023  Corten steel and bronze  260 cm high To view a selection …

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Barbie Kjar – Winner of the 2024 Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing

Image above: Barbie Kjar and her winning work No Expectations  2024 Photograph by Louisa Chircop Congratulations to Barbie Kjar, Winner …

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David Frazer ‘All That You’ve Loved’ Exhibition at Trinity College

‘David Frazer is primarily a graphic artist, a printmaker, who in his work creates a little microcosm, or a convincing …

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Simon Normand – Exhibition Reviews and Interviews – The Age, ABC Radio & Nikkei Asia

Image above: Simon Normand  Map – Australia  2023  acrylic on canvas and mixed media  145 x 170 cm  Simon Normand’s …

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Michael Buzacott – SLOT Window Gallery 2024

Image above: Michael Buzacott  Olympia  2024  steel  199 x 130 x 69 cm   SLOT is an independent window gallery …

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