Award-winning Northern Territory artist and former Gunnedah High School teacher Iain Campbell will make a return visit to launch his exhibition “Return of a Prodigal” next month.
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The talented artist will travel from Alice Springs where he has resided since leaving Gunnedah in 1975, as Gunnedah’s “prodigal son”.
He will share his extensive and impressive body of work, which comprises paintings of people and places, in the exhibition at the Creative Arts Gallery.
“Iain’s work is a narrative about people and how people live within different places, with very poetic undertones,” Gunnedah Shire council cultural development co-ordinator Andrea Bruno said.
“Iain’s art is mainly figurative with strong composition, and working predominantly in oils for his larger works.
“His works feature local subjects - people, animals and buildings, and his portraits are uncompromisingly honest and direct.”
Scottish born, Iain trained at the Glasgow School of Art and taught in Scotland and Cyprus (1966-70) before moving with his family to Australia in 1971.
He taught art at Gunnedah High from 1971 to 1975 before taking up another teaching appointment in Alice Springs in 1975.
During his five-year stay in Gunnedah, Iain was very active in the arts community, exhibiting regularly at the then Gunnedah North West Show Art Exhibition and teaching art to adults at Gunnedah TAFE.
Since his arrival in the Northern Territory in 1975, Iain has exhibited extensively in the Northern Territory and has been
the recipient of many awards.
In 2004, the talented artist was chosen to paint the official portrait of then Northern Territory Administrator (equivalent of NSW Governor), Dr Ted Egan AO.
This portrait hangs with two other of his paintings in Government House, Darwin.
Iain has returned to Gunnedah on two previous occasions in order to judge the annual art exhibitions, the first in August, 1993, the Ag Quip Art Exhibition, and again in October, 2003, when he judged the Gunnedah and District Art Society Annual Exhibition.
“I have always had a soft spot for Gunnedah, and I am very much looking forward to being reacquainted with so many old friends,” Iain said.
The “Return of a Prodigal” exhibition will open at the Creative Arts Gallery on Friday, March 13 at 6pm and run until Sunday, April 19.
The gallery will also host an exclusive artist’s talk with Iain on Saturday, March 14 .
