Gemma Donnellan

Gemma Donnellan

Gemma Donnellan has been a practicing artist for 15 years, formally trained in Visual Arts at RMIT.  Gemma has been a member of Swan Street Studios in excess of 5 years, which has seen her practice expand & develop.  She has had 6 solo exhibitions, been a feature artist and a part of many group shows.  Gemma also gives talks to primary school children with a focus on art & writing.

Gemma held her first solo exhibition of 18 works called ‘First’ in 2003 at the Level 11 Gallery, Flinders Lane.  ‘My Magnolias’ from this exhibition is part of the Peter MacCallum Hospital Collection.  Her painting ‘Taller Poppies’ was pre-selected for the prestigious Cromwell’s Art Prize in Sydney, then sold at auction. 

In 2003 Gemma undertook ‘Designs in Drawing’ course at RMIT University.  She then completed her diploma of Visual Arts at RMIT in 2005, majoring in printmaking & painting.

Gemma exhibited her printmaking series ‘Breathe’ at Art Holes Gallery in 2005.  Also a printmaking series, ‘Chandeliers’ was Gemma’s second solo exhibition at Carlow House.  In 2008 she designed a line of children’s giftware for interior design boutique Moss Melbourne.

Gemma's successful 2014 solo exhibition ‘Perfume' saw paintings delivered to Melbourne collectors including fashion icon Adele Palmer.  February 2015 saw the collaboration between Gemma Donnellan & Christine Cropley in 'Aphrodisiac Abstraction', held in an Art Deco Pop Up Gallery in North Melbourne. 

Gemma showcased part of her perfume series at the 'Sagra Salon Show' June - Aug 2015, Sagra Gallery Malvern.  Gemma's perfume paintings were also showcased in the Toorak Village Art Walk in 2015.

2016 saw Gemma make her first entry into the infamous Archibald Portraiture Prize, although not in the final selection, her portrait 'Amelina' of Master Perfumer Emma J. Leah was shown on National television. 

Gemma was approached by US clothing company VIDA to launch her first fashion collection using her perfume bottle paintings, which is currently available on-line. 

2017 Gemma was honoured to be the Feature Artist at the 'Roberts McCubbin Artshow', and was also invited to take part in the Canterbury Artshow.

For the month of June in 2018 Gemma held her 6^thsolo exhibition at ‘Riveresque’ in Warrandyte.  Gemma again exhibited in the Canterbury Artshow

Before following her artist vocation, Gemma had a corporate background working Telstra, KPMG, ANZ and Kraft Foods. Based in London for 2 years she travelled Europe & Asia.  Gemma also has a long history with Architecture beginning her working life with Spowers Architects and many years later with ARM Architects, as Executive Assistant to Ian McDougall.  

Gemma lives in Melbourne with her husband, Architect Chris Hose Director of Williams Ross Architects, and their twelve year old, daughter Estelle.

Visual Artist Melbourne

RMIT, Diploma of Visual Arts, 2005

RMIT, Designs in Drawing, 2003

Solo Exhibitions

2018 - ‘Memories of Grandmothers Pearls’ Riveresque

2016 - ‘Archibald Unveiling’ Gallery 550

2014 - ‘Perfume’ Gallery 550

2006 - ‘Chandeliers’ Carlow House

2005 - ‘Nature’ Feeling For Life

2003 - ‘First’ The Level 11 Gallery

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Feature Artist

2017 - Roberts McCubbin Artshow

Group Exhibitions

2019 - Swan Street Artist Studios Art Fair

2019 - Canterbury Art Show

2018 - Canterbury Art Show

2018 - Sorrento Art Show

2018 - Mornington Art Show

2017 - Bayside Art Show

2017 - Canterbury Art Show

2017 - Sorrento Art Show’

2016 - Belle Arti Art Prize Chapman & Bailey

2015 - Swan Street Studios end of year exhibition

2015 - Toorak Village Art Walk

2015 - 'Salon Show' Sagra Gallery

2015 - 'Aphrodisiac Abstraction' with Christine Cropley

2014 - 'Scope' Melbourne Pavilion

2013 - Studio exhibition, Cube Gallery

2006 - Camberwell Rotary Show

2005 - Graduate exhibition, Fitzroy Gallery

2005 - ‘Breathe’ Printmaking series, Artholes Gallery

2005 - Visual Art & performance exhibition, Shift#1

2001 - Fundraising Charity Ball, Mary McKillop Foundation

Competition Finalist

2014 - 'Kennedy Art Prize', People's Choice Award

2004 - ‘Cromwell’s Art Prize’ Sydney, sold at Cromwell’s Auction

2004 - ‘She’ The Walker Street Gallery

2001 - ‘Love Exhibition’ 4 Cats Gallery

Collections

2014 - Adele Palmer private collection ‘Estelle’

2004 - Peter MacCallum Hospital Collection ‘My Magnolias’

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Designer

2016 - Perfume Clothing Collection - Voices - VIDA

2006-2013 - Precious Gem Designs range of Children’s gifts, exclusively for Moss Melbourne

Contact

Swan Street Studios

Level 1 550 Swan Street Richmond

gemmadonnellan@optusnet.com.au

www.gemmadonnellan.com

Ph 0400 157 187