From 2006 through to 2008, I had the privilege of being on of the organising committee and designer for the ‘Forsythes Collectors Care Art Exhibition’ in support of Samaritans Foundation. This exhibition created an exciting opportunity to acquire original artwork from some of the Hunter region’s most collectable artists, at an affordable price, while helping raise funds for people in need in our local community.
Dorothy Wishney was one of the talented artists that participated in this exhibition. In fact, my mother bought one of her paintings from the 2008 exhibition.
Dorothy Wishney was born in Scotland and at an early age was involved in drawing and painting. For four years she studied at the prestigious Glasgow School of Art, and a further year was spent in the study of education at Strathclyde University.
After several years of teaching art in Scotland, she spent time travelling in the United States of America and New Zealand. Since 1979 she has been resident in Australia in the Hunter Valley. During this time she has held many solo exhibitions and has participated in numerous group exhibitions both in New South Wales and interstate.
Dorothy Wishney’s work is greatly influenced by living in Australia. The subtle colours of the Scottish landscape have given way to vibrant colours resulting from the quality of the light in Australia.
Themes revolve around the concept of Exterior/Interior where boundaries between inside and outside merge. Where a nude or a still life drifts between room and landscape.
Recent work focuses on the window, with the exterior showing just a suggestion of garden, seascape or landscape. The window is now a source of light, drawing us inward, revealing the interior with its reflective surfaces shimmering in a mosaic of colour and contrast as it bounces off still life, glass and mirrors while giving way to the deep shadows and recesses of the room.
Her work is included in public and private collections in Australia, U.K., U.S.A., Hong Kong, France, Thailand, Singapore, New Zealand and Japan.
Commissions include five paintings for the Hotel Nikko, Darling Harbour and the Newton John Award.
Dorothy Wishney presently teaches art part time at the Hunter Institute of TAFE.
Here are a few images of her wonderful mixed media paintings.
Silence of Summer
All Things Considered
Out of Bounds
Radiant Space
