Sydney artist Hugh Oliveiro says his first Brisbane exhibition at Brisbane Customs House tells a multitude of stories in an eclectic collection of 22 acrylic paintings.
Some of the works in Paintings, Mixed Media and Recent Works on show at the University of Queensland's city centre from March 14-May 4 reflect the artist's multi-cultural background, mixing Eastern and Western messages and imagery.
'For example, The Colonial Bride was inspired by childhood memories of seeing traditional European weddings in tropical Asian settings,' he said.
'There is a serene sense of balance which takes the viewer further into the work, to reveal subtle stories.'
Mr Oliveiro was raised in Singapore by parents of Dutch, Portuguese and Sri Lankan extraction.
He moved to Australia in the early 1970s, studying art and working in advertising before his income from art could support his attention to painting full-time.
In his early paintings, Mr Oliveiro applied multiple layers of oils and glaze. Then health concerns about working with the medium made him switch to acrylics.
Mr Oliveiro said he was more interested in creating art that communicated emotion rather than the technique applied.
'If art doesn't have magic it loses interest for me,' he said.
Mr Oliveiro has exhibited in galleries throughout Australia and overseas in France and Belgium.
His commissions include stage sets for the Singapore and Australian Ballet Companies, a mural for the Victorian Arts Centre and paintings for several Australian and international resorts.
For more information, contact Mr Oliveiro (telephone 02 9517 1872).
