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 addition to her fine art she has 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 she did not make 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 6thsolo 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 eleven 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
Feature Artist
2017 - Roberts McCubbin Artshow
Group Exhibitions
2018 - Canturbury 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’
Designer
2016 - Perfume Clothing Collection - Voices - VIDA
2006-2013 - Precious Gem Designs range of Children’s gifts, exclusively for Moss Melbourne
