Nomadic natural coastal Perth artist Michelle Wardley will have her first formal exhibition in 2 years marking the first event of this type in the remote dolphin hot spot Monkey Mia. As founder of the Art Gallery at Monkey Mia 2 years ago, Michelle has traveled across from Airlie Beach Queensland to host a cocktail opening night from 7pm at the Monkey Mia Dolphin Information Centre on Wednesday April 16th featuring a selection of original oil paintings reflecting the unique natural habitat of the Shark Bay World Heritage Region.
Visitors to Western Australia traveling up the coast are encouraged to make the journey to WA’s only world heritage area and are welcome to attend the cocktail opening event by contacting Michelle directly on 0438 333 446 to RSVP. Discount flights from Perth are also available with Skyworks Air Charter for the exhibition opening.
Those who can not make it to "The Exhibition" in person don’t need to miss out on the experience as a special sneak preview online pre-release will go on display at Michelle’s online gallery on the 15th April at naturaloceanart.com.au giving customers and browsers alike a chance to get in first for a peak or to purchase works before the formal exhibition opens.
Returning to Shark Bay in March 2003 Michelle has been creating her latest collection to go on display at the exhibition opening at 7pm on April 16th. The Exhibition continues for the following week until the 23rd April when Michelle will return to her floating home & will sail up the Queensland coast, over the top of Australia on to Indonesia at the beginning of June 2003.
Michelle came to Shark Bay after 4 years of touring the north west, in April 2001 as the resident artist for the inaugural "Shark Bay Art festival". Michelle was then commissioned to produce a floor mural in the newly established Visitors Centre, which led to the successful establishment of the art gallery. In July 2002 Michelle left Shark Bay to fulfill her dream of living aboard, traveling the entire south coast of Australia and up to Townsville with her partner to move onto their next project of turning a 43ft sailing catamaran into a home while continuing to supply her 3 WA venues Blue Duck Café Cottesloe (since 2000), Indianic Surf Rottnest Island & the Monkey Mia Art Gallery. Michelle also maintains her own online art gallery, which has been a great success with the international & local visitors alike.
"All of my works are created as a direct experience of my outdoor life traveling Australia & they reflect my passion for the natural environment with intent to affect & expand people's consciousness when interacting with nature. I really love the colours of Shark Bay. They are so unique & vibrant. The wildlife here is just so diverse & rich you just can’t help but have a special experience. There is certainly more to Shark Bay than just the dolphins!"
Michelle is a self taught artist who has been independently promoting and displaying her work for over 6 years all over Western Australia. From her humble beginnings in late 1997-1999 at the Station St Markets Subiaco, to touring WA, Michelle has appeared on Postcards WA and won several awards at a number of Perth art competitions, as well as featuring at a number of festivals and events throughout the state.
"I’ve always liked displaying my work in public places, where you get to meet the people and they experience it without the exclusivity & formality that art galleries are sometimes prone to. It becomes more personal all round & works really well to promote the natural attractions of the regions I’m working in. I’m really looking forward to a bit of a fancy "do" since I’ve spent so much time just painting to try & fulfill the demand. It’s a nice reward & should be a lot of fun!"
Michelle invites all media correspondents to attend the inaugural formal opening event.
Michelle is a Premiere Portfolio Artist at absolutearts.com. Her portfolio may be viewed at: absolutearts.com/portfolios/n/naturaloceanart/
IMAGE:
Michelle Wardley
Monkey Mia, 2002
Painting Oil
20 x 34 cm
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