We are thrilled to present our first solo show with Sydney artist Fiona Chandler, who’s organic landscapes capture the beauty of the natural world, especially nature’s unique colours and texture.

As a newcomer to Manyung Gallery, we asked Fiona to share with our collectors some more about her art journey and creative process. We think you will fall in love with Fiona’s vibrant and expressive paintings as much as we have!

Congratulations on your upcoming solo exhibition ‘Carwash for the Soul’. Can you share with us what inspired the collection?

Initially a single piece ‘Carwash for the Soul’ expanded to a collection, each piece examining the coast, and how I am drawn to the sea. No two days are ever the same, there is always something new to observe. Where we live or holiday the fascination is endless, and I think many of us feel this way. As a first generation Australian, I am forever grateful to my parents for making a great leap and giving us this beautiful country as home.

How do you go about starting a new body of works, what goes into the creative process?

So many I want to make, so little time. I plan each collection for the exhibition space they will inhabit. I like to take the viewer on a journey that asks them to walk to towards some paintings to see the details and step back for others to view the whole. To have some that are quite loud and noisy and say ‘look at me ‘and a quiet couple that you can relax into. I would like the viewer to feel the happiness of each story that goes into the making of the paintings.

Your paintings are mainly in watercolour. What do you like about working in this medium? Do you experiment with other media?

I push the medium of watercolour as far as I can – many people ask what I use and are very surprised by the answer watercolour. The materiality of the medium has the balance of intensity and translucency that I require.

Who or what are your biggest influences?

My environment, the place I live, and what I see as a passenger on drives up and down the coast. The details and the colours of the Australian landscape and how diverse it is.

Can you share some of the highlights you’ve had so far in your artistic career?

Always a tricky question as some of the highlights don’t appear on the CV – the artists you meet who so generously share their experience and information, the group shows that are a thrill to be invited to, a residency with Manly Art Gallery and the Quarantine station, being a Finalist for the Mosman Art Prize, 3 sold out solo shows, founding Sydney Road Gallery, and founding the Women in Conversation series.

What advice would you give to first time art buyers when choosing art for their home?

Go to shows, look online, dive in with abandon and see what you respond to. Work that you are thinking about long after you get home. Whether it’s $20 or $10,000 it’s how the art makes you feel. When you have a piece in your home that you love, each day when you come upon it the joy is real and you feel a little chuffed that it’s yours… and a little bit cleverer for choosing it.