Barbara Bateman

Where Bush Meets Sea: A Retrospective

5 – 28 February 2025

Painting Performance – 22 February from 10am – 12.30pm | Bookings via Eventbrite

Barbara Bateman, with a Masters in Art and Design and extensive research in colour, creates works depicting the Otway region along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. Living part-time near Cathedral Rock for over 60 years, she captures the rhythm and spirit of the landscape through abstraction and reduction. Her bold, colour-rich compositions emphases the interplay of shape, tone, and texture, seeking harmony rather than direct representation.

Her process is intuitive—working with a limited palette of yellows, purples, and blues, she allows light and emotion to guide her compositions. Influenced by artists like Gauguin, Matisse, and Emily Kngwarreye, Barbara explores perception, memory, and the profound connection between self and place. Her paintings evoke both intimacy and vastness, balancing structure and spontaneity.

As art historian Rosemary Crumlin notes, “Her paintings are the engagement between artist and landscape—they evoke singing and dancing.” Through her work, Barbara expresses the privilege of being alive, inviting spirit and mystery to dwell within each piece.

This retrospective offers a rare opportunity to experience Barbara’s creative evolution over time, showcasing her significant works and artistic journey. A must-see for both art enthusiasts and collectors.