The Others
Meet The Others: Britt Dunbar
The Game Changers. The Rule Breakers. The Innovators. Discover some of the fantastic emerging talent showcasing their work at The Other Art Fair.
Britt Dunbar’s colourful landscape paintings were a highlight for many at The Other Art Fair Sydney 2016. Working mainly abstractly, Britt takes her surroundings and beautifully recreates them on her canvas using thick bold brushstrokes and vibrant colours. Having firming established a signature contemporary style, Britt is continuing to develop her paintings, experimenting with creating texture and movement using thick layers of oil paint.
How would you describe your artwork?
My art practice has been strongly influenced by my time spent in the country and viewing nature as a memory rather than a realistic capture. My paintings reflect what I remember from a certain viewing point or landmark visit and then I aim to create my own interpretation relying on use of bright colour and expressive mark making.
In approaching landscape as a subject, I consider the environment as both this fleeting moment and as an expansive space. My paintings hope to capture the landscape in the spontaneous instance when the past is almost gone, and the future is just starting to appear. The result is can sometimes be an impulsive act of painting of not what my eyes saw but what I felt.
What does making art mean to you?
Being able to create is hugely beneficial to my way of thinking and letting my imagination take control, rather than reality. I’ve always loved the process of making something and finessing that craft.
How did you get started making art?
I have studied art for as long as I can remember and was always surrounded by it. Art has been a huge influence in my life and something I was always taught to take seriously. After my studies I worked in advertising for a long time and whilst that was more corporate it still allowed a certain sense of creativity. However it wasn’t until I moved to the country later in life with my husband and found such beauty in the Australian landscape that the brush and canvas could not be pushed aside any longer.
What is it like to be a part of The Other Art Fair?
The Other Art Fair has been great for me and 2016 was my second year participating in the event. Each time I was able to surround myself with like-minded people and discuss art in a very open and friendly setting. The Other Art Fair is a huge supporter of emerging artists and really love seeing their participants succeed. Each year I have met gallery owners, buyers and art admirers who are always so encouraging and have helped me get access to a whole new audience.
What is your favourite piece for sale on your SA profile and why?
At the moment my favourite piece is a landscape painting of a part of the Gibb River Road. This year I am tending to move back towards landscapes after experimenting with still life and other objects.
