Wendy Arnold paintings for sale. Wendy’s background in Fine Art studies followed by 13 years co-owning a highly successful street couture fashion label called Studiobaker Hawk have culminated in the development of an incredibly unique painting style. The adornment of the female figure remains a constant in her work, often adding asian imagery and cultural references. Wendy Arnold pulls on her printmaking background and weaves intricate patterns together with birds, flowers, metal leaf and fabric overlays to “dress” the female figure resulting in an exotic visual delight.
Wendy Arnold “Allure” Exhibition December 2018
Wendy Arnold - Artist Biography
In the 80’s and 90’s Wendy Arnold was one of the three owners and designers behind the highly successful fashion label Studibaker Hawk.
Worn by rock stars and debutantes alike, and sold in Harrods of London, and retailers in New York, they took the local fashion industry by storm and there seemed no end to their meteoric rise.
Wendy Arnold’s fine art background was the driving force behind the wildly individual signature prints, which were instantly recognisable as Studibaker originals of this street couture label.
At the age of 40, however, true to a promise she had made 13 years before… she hung up her tape measure, and left the fashion industry behind to return to a career in fine art. Taking a studio space in Rozelle with a large group of practising artists, she threw herself back into painting and printmaking.
The adornment of the female figure remains a constant in her work, almost a tribute to her years in the fashion industry. Wendy Arnold’s appropriation of Asian imagery and textile design is a consistently strong element of her work, often coloured with historical reference and popular culture resulting in a eclectic combination of the past, cultural diversity and pop imagery.
The figures seem barely contained within the confines of the canvas. Birds and flowers interweave with gold leaf and the rich patterning to create an evocative combination of the nearly nude and demurely concealed
HISTORY
Born New Zealand
1971 Migrated to Perth with family
1973-76 West Australian Institute of Technology (painting & printmaking)
1977-80 Extensive travel through Europe and the UK
1981 Alexander Mackie (College of Fine Arts, Sydney (postgraduate certificate)
1982 Co-founded ,co-owned prestgious fashion label ‘Studibaker Hawk’
1995 Left the fashion world to return to full-time painting
1998 Set up large studio artspace for 52 artists in Sydney’s inner west with Rogerio Blanc Ramos
EXHIBITIONS
2016 “Primavera” Paul Gullotti gallery wa
2015 “Memoir” Trevor Victor Harvey gallery mosman
2014 “Gossip” Gallery One southport qld
2013 “Menagerie” Gadfly Gallery wa.
2013 “Embodiment” Richard Martin Art, Sydney
2011 ‘Primavera’, Richard Martin Art, Sydney
2010 Gadlfy Gallery, Perth WA
2009 Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
2008 Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
2008 Gadlfy Gallery, Perth WA
2007 Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
2007 Gadlfy Gallery, Perth WA
2006 Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
2006 Paul Gullotti Gallery, Perth WA
2005 Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
2004 Shanghai Art Fair
2004 Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
2003 Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
2003 Jackman Gallery ,Melbourne
2002 Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
2002 Jackman Gallery, Melbourne
2003 Ground Floor Gallery, Sydney
2001 Exhibition in Paris at Galerie Say
2001 Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
2000 Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
1999 Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney
AWARDS AND PRIZES
2011 Portia Geach Portrait Prize (Finalist)
2008 John Glover Landscape Prize (finalist)
2005 Mosman Art Prize (finalist)
2004 Mosman Art Prize (finalist)
COLLECTIONS
BHP Billiton, ING, Stockland Hotel Group, Telstra, Gutterage Hasken & Davies, QBE Mercantile Mutual, SAS INS, Woolpack Hotel, Avillion Hotel, National Australia Bank, Fox Studios, Royal Motor Yacht Club, Ascot International.
Wendy Arnold’s work is held in numerous private collections throughout Australia and New Zealand as well as Paris, Shanghai, London, Singapore, Barcelona, United States of America and Dubai.
Recently commissioned to paint 4 pieces for the refurbishment of the new Star City Casino