Painter and printmaker Salvatore Zofrea was born in Italy, arriving in Australia in 1956 at the age of 9. After leaving school and working for several years, he attended the Julian Ashton Art School (1961-3).
Over the past 40 years, he has held solo exhibitions throughout Australia, and internationally in Rome. His work has also been featured in group exhibitions at the National Gallery of Australia and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Zofrea’s large commissioned works include his ‘150 Years of the Sydney Morning Herald’ mural (1979), the State Bank of New South Wales mural (1985) and a fresco for the Sydney Opera House Trust (1993).
In 1979, his ‘Psalm23’ was acquired by the Vatican, Rome, for its collection.
In 1982 he received a Power Bequest award of 6 months residence in Paris, and a Churchill Fellowship in 1986 to study fresco technique in Florence with master of fresco Leonetto Tintori.
Zofrea has won the Sulman Prize three times (1977, 1979 and 1982) and is a many-times finalist in the Archibald and Wynne prizes.
In 1992 the late Art Gallery of NSW director, Edmund Capon, arranged for a selection of Zofrea’s ‘Psalms’ series be displayed in the Art Gallery of NSW and to tour NSW Regional Art Galleries. In 1996 he was made a Cavaliere (Knight) by the Italian Government for services to the Arts.
From 1994 to 1999 he created the ‘Appassionata’ series of 100 autobiographical woodcuts, exhibited at the Art Gallery of NSW, and touring nationally prior to being acquired by the Gallery. In 2000, the National Portrait Gallery of Australia exhibited his ’50 Portraits’ which then toured NSW Regional Galleries.
In 2014, he was awarded an Order of Australia (OAM) for services to the Arts.
Currently, Zofrea is working on his ‘Four Circles’ series, depicting Australian wildflowers in their natural light at various times of the day – morning, midday, afternoon and evening. Each circle consists of 25 panels, each one being 153cm high x 122cm wide, totalling 30 metres in overall length.
Seven monographs on his life and work have been produced and four films, including Richard Mordaunt’s Salvatore Zofrea – Master of Light (2016).
Salvatore Zofrea is represented by Australian Galleries, Sydney and Melbourne.
PREVIOUS EXHIBITIONS
Image above: Days of Summer 2008-23 hand-coloured woodcut with lapis lazuli on paper edition unique 44 x 59 cm “…I was …
Image: Salvatore Zofrea. Photograph (detail) courtesy of Stephen Oxenbury/ Artist Profile and Orange Regional Gallery Salvatore Zofrea: The Drawn Line, …
Image: Christine Wrest-Smith, Portrait of Salvatore Zofrea. Congratulations to Christine Wrest-Smith who has been announced a Finalist in the Percival Portrait Painting …
Image above: Orest Keywan That Line 2023 steel 168 x 271 x 190cm Congratulations to Orest Keywan, Michael Snape and …
Image above: Andrew Antoniou Weird & Wonderful 2024 charcoal on paper 82 x 88 cm Congratulations to Andrew Antoniou who …
Image above: Christine Wrest-Smith Portrait of Susan Johnson oil on linen 122 x 92cm Congratulations to Christine Wrest-Smith who has been …
Image above: Deborah Williams The air smells different 2023 aquatint intalgio 53×39.5cm Congratulations to Deborah Williams, Martin King and Phillip …
Above image details: Jenny Rodgerson Mum’s orange cardigan 2024 oil on linen 60 x 40 cm Congratulations to Jenny Rodgerson and …
Image above: Sarah Tomasetti From Balpatta X 2024 145 x 150 cm pigment oil and marble dust on fresco Congratulations to Holly …
Image above (left to right): Graeme Drendel Portrait of Rick 2024 oil on canvas 41 x 31 cm | Michelle Hiscock …
Image above: Janet Luxton Giant Australian Cuttlefish 2021 oil on canvas 120x160cm Congratulations to Janet Luxton who has had two …
Above image: Wayne Eager, Allegory I 2023 oil on linen 95 x 133 cm Wayne Eager was interviewed by Janet …
Image above: Marina Strocchi The vineyards of Madden’s Lane 2023 acrylic on linen 122 x 152 cm Congratulations to Kate …
