Penelope Hillam

Penelope Hillam is an award and prize winning Artist and Marine Artist, who has been painting and exhibiting since leaving Art School in 1979.  She has worked across a variety of media and was the first artist in South Australia to major in two areas in the new degree course. In the early 1980’s she was work across media using and stitching mirrored perspex on canvas while designing a plastic robot that included electronics.

She has always been drawn to the area of marine art. Born in Victoria, she grew up in Ferntree Gully.  In those days this area was considered the country, Melbourne was just a cluster of lights around Port Phillip Bay.  She was to see the sea for the first time when she was five, an experience that was to have an ongoing influence on her creative work.  A clear sunny day, she was fascinated by the sparkling light upon the water.

Throughout her artistic work is a thread of movement like the ripples on the water.  She has continued to be fascinated by reflections and mirror images often playing on contrasting aspects, physical/spiritual, outer/internal worlds, realistic/abstract.

In her boat paintings, she is concerned about the contrast between the reality of the boats and the abstract quality of the reflections. These works highlight the contrast between the

natural and man-made aspects make an exciting colourful and dramatic affect.  Her studies in music and drama create a fascination for colour and stage lighting. She also continues to be influenced by studies into Asian Art, particularly Japanese Prints. The expressive qualities of line give a musical and poetic feel to the work as she explores all the elements of line and pattern, different times of day and the varying seasons.                                                                                   

In recent times, due to new materials, Penelope has returned to explore the technique of printmaking.  This now developed an interest in the surface texture and assemblage. This is combined with a moral responsibility to work sustainably recycling and using found objects.

Over the last few years along her interest in Maritime art, she has been working on collage using canvas as a Textile. This has also included eclectic Architectural buildings that have shaped our history.   The present day is a combination of Multi-Cultural influences having grown up with a father who spoke five languages providing a rich cultural environment. She has been involved in many innovative aspects of the art and design industry, and all aspects of and levels teaching.

‘Glorious Sunflowers’

Acrylic on paper

*Artwork images are examples of the artists work and may not currently be available. Please contact the gallery for more information.