Mark Waller
For me, reality is a relative concept. We each construct a version of it that fits our beliefs, relationships and social structures. It seems that the structure that we have generally constructed for ourselves in Australia now is based on a very narrow view of reality, and is not designed to take us to a place beyond simply existing. We have designed a life of chasing our tails.
Seemingly just out of reach however, yet tantalisingly close, is another world. In this world there is an easy access to lives lived with wonder and celebration. The porthole to this magical place is in insignificant events and places and is unnoticed in our scramble for survival and our obsession with collecting “stuff”. The paradox is that these simple events and places have a complexity and power beyond imagination. They can transform our reality.
My paintings are about elevating these simple moments where we can just be. Tiny discoveries are laden with wonder and life. They are for many of us though, unseen. They need to be documented, highlighted, embraced and savoured. They are the "real" world, and for me, an antidote to the one humanity has constructed.
Painting these moments allows me to surrender to ”being”. I wallow in these moments. They are my sanity and solidity. They are the answer.
Solo Exhibitions
2016 Kidogo Arthouse, Fremantle WA, "Time and Space"
2011 Ballina Community Gallery, Ballina NSW, The “Real” World
2010 Aarwun Gallery, Canberra ACT
2007 Art Gallery collections, Surfers Paradise
2007 Aarwun Gallery, Canberra ACT
2006 Galloway Gallery, Brisbane QLD
2006 Boomers Gallery, Lennox Head NSW
2005 Aarwun Gallery, Canberra, ACT
2005 B-Framed Art Studio, Ballina NSW
2003 Gelebert Gallery, New York, NY USA
2003 Aarwun Gallery, Canberra ACT
2001 Aarwun Gallery, Canberra ACT
1999 Twin Towns Gallery, Tweed Heads NSW
1993 B-Framed Art Studio, Ballina NSW
1991 Indec Art Gallery, Melbourne VIC
Selected Group Exhibitions
2023 Lennox Arts Collective Exhibition, Lennox Arts Collective, Lennox Head NSW
2023 Art After Brain Injury, Manning Regional Gallery, Taree NSW
2022 Lennox Arts Collective Exhibition, Lennox Arts Collective, Lennox Head NSW
2021 Lennox Arts Collective Exhibition, Lennox Arts Collective, Lennox Head NSW
2019 Lennox Arts Collective Exhibition, Lennox Arts Collective, Lennox Head NSW
2018 Lennox Arts Collective Exhibition, Lennox Arts Collective, Lennox Head NSW
2018 Contemporary Art - Next Stop Kifisia, Artion Galleries, Cyprus
2017 Lennox Arts Collective Exhibition, Lennox Arts Collective, Lennox Head NSW
2017 KFS: Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence! Artion Galleries, Cyprus
2016 Lennox Arts Collective Exhibition, Lennox Arts Collective, Lennox Head NSW
2015 Lennox Arts Collective Exhibition, Lennox Arts Collective, Lennox Head NSW
2015 Five x Fifteen Exhibition, Aarwun Gallery, Canberra ACT
2014 Lennox Arts Collective Exhibition, Lennox Arts Collective, Lennox Head NSW
2014 Coastal With a Twist, Manyung Gallery, Sorrento VIC
2013 Artspace Artists Exhibition, Lennox Artspace, Lennox Head NSW
2012 Resurrection Exhibition, Lennox Artspace, Lennox Head NSW
2011 Lennox Artspace, Lennox Head NSW
2007 Group Exhibition, Art Gallery Collections, Surfers Paradise.
2006 Tattersalls Landscape Art Prize, Brisbane QLD
2006 “Sublime to the ridiculous” Aarwun Gallery, Canberra ACT
2006 Kolinda Art Gallery, Alstonville NSW
2005 Avalon 8 Gallery Byron Bay NSW 2004 Aarwun Gallery, Canberra ACT
2003 Travelling Exhibition Santa Rosa, San Jose, CA USA
2001 Kolinda Art Gallery Alstonville NSW
1999 Wintersun Art Exhibition, Gold Coast QLD
1998 Wintersun Art Exhibition, Gold Coast QLD
1997 Wintersun Art Exhibition, Gold Coast QLD
1997 Kolinda Art Gallery Alstonville NSW
1996 Wintersun Art Exhibition, Gold Coast QLD
1996 Kolinda Art Gallery, Alstonville NSW
1996 Twin Towns Gallery, Tweed Heads NSW
1994 Kolinda Gallery, Alstonville NSW
Awards
2006 Southern Cross Arts Festival - 2nd Prize Open Section
2006 Tattersalls Art Prize Brisbane - Finalist
2004 Southern Cross arts Festival 1st Prize Traditional painting, 2nd Prize Landscape painting
2001 Konami Realist Landscape Art Award, Gold Coast QLD - Finalist
1997 Southern Cross Arts Festival 1st Place Painting section Highly Commended Landscapes & Local Images
1997 Casino Art Awards – 1st Prize
1995 Casino Art Awards – 1st Prize
1995 Bentley Art Prize - Highly Commended
1995 Southern Cross Arts Festival 1st Prize Marine section 1st Prize Landscapes & Local Images Winner Most Popular Choice
1994 Southern Cross Arts Festival 1st Prize Marine Section Most Popular Choice.
1994 Casino Art Award – 1st Place
1993 Southern Cross Arts Festival – Highly Commended Open Section