Featuring Artist: Simone Gillam

Simone has a love of design capturing the beach and surf culture. Immersed in surf culture in her teenage years Simone and her girlfriends braved the cool waters of Victoria to mat ride regularly, ranging across the surf spots of the east and west coasts near Melbourne. Her intrepid gang bussed, trained and hitch hiked their way to the various surf locations, enjoying the freedom of the era, camping out and freestyling their weekends. Developing this love of adventure in the outdoors, the thrill of the ride and the camaraderie of mateship are the themes that can be found recurring in Simone’s work.

Having scored distinctions in Art and Graphic Design in Secondary School Simone was accepted into art teacher training at Box Hill Technical College, however it wasn’t until mature age that Simone really took up the challenge of a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Art and Design with the University of South Australia. Simone sought further art training after graduating with the Adelaide Central School of Art and artist Anne Bowden in the Adelaide Hills. Simone has held numerous exhibitions selling her work.

Working as a Yoga Teacher, Relief Teacher and raising two children as a single mum Art took the back burner until a surprise turn in path saw Simone win a position as the RADO Regional Arts Development Officer for a large demographic area on the Southern Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. This role enabled her to combine her grass roots networking skills with her ability to encourage and support artists. Working closely with community groups assisting them to develop and deliver art projects across the state. After 8 successful years working for the state government she opted to move to the idyllic beach life on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

Simone has now returned to the art studio and is creating lino prints and paintings that express her love of the environment, surf culture and the indomitable spirit of adventurous women. Simone explains “the Sunny Coast has such a relaxed, sub-tropical vibe, I try to capture this with an emphasis on female strength, resilience and beauty”.

Exhibitions include:

University of South Australia Carclew Graduate Exhibition
Red House Members Exhibition
Gallery M Exhibition
Port Noarlunga Paper Chase Exhibition
Rotary Art Exhibition Victor Harbour
Cabra Dominican College Annual Exhibition
Iron Triangle – Anne Bowden Students Exhibition
St Johns Secondary School Annual Exhibition
Port Lincoln Nautilus Art Gallery
Elliston Bakery
Nautilus Arts Centre
Coastal Artisans Gallery/Shop Peregian Beach
Wallace House Noosa – Artasitc Sale
Noosa Alive Rocco Maze Art Street Village
Noosa Regional Gallery shop
Midmodoz Peregian Beach