Join us as Mal Chambers unveils 'Instinct', a bold new series celebrating the life and character of the creatures around us and Stacey Mrmacovski presents 'Ways Home', a moving exploration of memory, place, and return.
We spoke to both artists about the inspiration behind their work.
Mal Chambers
Congratulations on your upcoming exhibition, ‘Instinct’. Can you share with us what inspired the collection?
The title ‘Instinct’ is about following your primal impulse. I think we all have something that bypasses the intellect and just compels us to act, because we know that our lives will be lesser if we ignore it. In my case it’s a compulsion to create, to paint something that captures a moment and a feeling more successfully. Even when I think I’ve had enough I’m drawn to produce more. The subjects I paint are creatures of instinct, so hopefully, in trying to capture this I can help the viewer connect with their own.
Is there a particular piece from the exhibition that stands out for you? (Maybe one you are most fond of, or a piece that challenged you more than others?)
I loved creating them all, but the two magpies are particularly special to me because I’ve always wanted to use that colour combination but had never got round to it. With these pieces I feel that I not only achieved something bold and striking, but I also captured depth the way I wanted to as well. These gave me a sense of freedom in what I was doing going forward.
Your work mainly features beautiful birds. Have you always painted this subject matter, or has it evolved for you over time?
I became an oil painter over time but the fascination with the subject matter has been there from the start. I’ve always felt compelled to draw and paint subjects that I think have a ‘soul’. Birds definitely fit that criteria. I remember at primary school the teacher got me to draw a hawk on the blackboard in front of the class - I don’t remember why. But that compulsion has always been there. I’ve always had to follow that instinct, hence the name of the show.
Can you tell us about the story of how you became an artist?
I’ve been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. So, when it came time to think about a career I went into graphic design, illustration and advertising, because I knew I had to channel this into something commercial to make a living. But I always knew that if my creative output was solely commercial then I’d feel very unfulfilled. So, over the last 15 or so years I’ve diverted more and more of my energy into painting. I put my work out there online, on socials, and in fairs and competitions. This led to me finding people who were enthusiastic about my work and a bit of recognition in some competitions. This in turn led to me being invited to exhibit in shows like this, which is very exciting. So I always advise artists just to put their work out there.
Stacey Mrmacovski
Congratulations on your upcoming exhibition, ‘Ways Home’. Can you share with us what inspired the collection?
Thank you so much! Ways Home is a deeply personal body of work. It was born from a pull toward reflection – of place, memory and the emotional terrain we associate with ‘home’. This series goes beyond the physical landscape, it’s an invitation to return to our thoughts and moments that shape us.
What do you hope people will feel when viewing your work from this exhibition?
My hope is that my art is felt and that this series provides an invitation for the viewer to pause, reflect and journey into their own memories or places.
The exhibition features work in beautiful shades of green. Has your use of colour shifted over time, or does it still feel instinctive when you begin a new work?
My use of colour has always been instinctive, and that still holds true today - though it has definitely evolved over time. Colour choice flows with how I’m feeling and seeing, whether I’m consciously aware of it or not. I might begin with an approximate idea of a palette, but once I enter a ‘flow state’, it’s the most incredible feeling. My hands start painting and picking up colours almost without conscious control, it’s really hard to describe! But it’s actually that part that I love about painting, it connects me to another world.
Can you share some of the highlights you’ve had so far in your artistic career, and what is next for you?
There have been many incredible highlights over the years, but when I really reflect on my career, the most meaningful moments have been the genuine connections I’ve made with collectors who have resonated with my work. It’s in the stories they share, the emotion, the feeling of being seen — of having what I’ve poured into a piece acknowledged on such a personal level. Looking ahead, I just want to keep growing, keep creating, and continue expressing what I’m feeling through my work, in the hope it reaches those it's meant to.
Mal Chambers' new body of work, 'Instinct' brings together clarity and freedom, with each piece composed through a balance of instinct and careful observation. With striking simplicity and a focus on birds, Instinct captures a sense of stillness, character, and life - offering space to pause and connect with what’s quietly moving in the world around us.
Stacey Mrmacovski's new body of work 'Ways Home' maps the terrain of emotional and physical movement, speaking to both departure and return. Moments of longing, peace, and stillness emerge — each painting holding space for what lingers when we leave somewhere special, when someone dear to us departs, or when we find our way back. These landscapes are more than places; they are emotional markers shaped by memory and love — invitations to pause, reflect, and rediscover ourselves along the way.
'Instinct' and 'Ways Home' both open at Manyung Gallery Malvern on Saturday, 21st June 2025. Visit our Exhibitions + Events page to find out more! Otherwise, contact sharyn@manyunggallery.com.au or 0419 595 222 to request a preview catalogue.