Amanda Ogilby is a Margaret River artist known for her atmospheric and refined still life oil paintings. Her work balances a modern aesthetic with traditional techniques, showcasing a strong foundation in representational realism and a sensitivity to light, tone, and detail. Each piece pairs carefully chosen homewares, florals, and seasonal produce to create quietly evocative compositions with a sense of calm and presence.

A few years ago, I felt this strong desire to paint these fascinating birds. I hadn’t paid much attention to them until I moved to Bathurst, where they became impossible to ignore. I started to notice something unique about Magpies—they don’t just glance at you like other birds; they actually stare. At first, I found them a bit intimidating, but even more so, I was captivated by their boldness. Magpies exude confidence, strutting around with an air of coolness, and their expressions can range from cheeky to downright intense. This exhibition aims to capture their playful spirit and the vibrant moods they convey.

This collection of paintings is inspired by my experiences this year of travelling across continents and living ‘in between’ places - from the tranquil shores of Pittwater in Sydney to a wild headland above Roaring Beach in Tasmania and finally to Yunosato, a village in the forest in Japan. Even though each place is different in landscape, climate and culture I have found that they have similarities that connect them. Being surrounded by nature and these vast and beautiful environments whilst living in small humble shelters has also given me a sense of feeling grounded in each place.

This series is congruent with the artist’s wider art making practice that resonates with the notion of buildings as “guardians of identity “ and “silent witnesses” ( Alain de Botton, Architecture of Happiness 2006 ). The Central West has so many distinctive structures and scenes that tell stories of earlier lives and ongoing practices. These features exist in open space and light in a way that refresh and somehow comfort the city based artist.

Liz Wickramasinghe’s paintings explore a combination of themes around domestic crafts, such a textiles and hand-making traditions and the rugged, costal landscapes where she lives on Wadawurrung country in Victoria. By combining a range of painting, masking and relief-printmaking techniques, her works explore layering, repetition, texture, linework and pattern. This approach allows Liz to explore naturally occurring repetition and pattern found in the landscapes and botanical life of her region, highlighting the parallels with her love of weaving, patchwork and collaged imagery. This body of work includes Liz’s first attempts at portraying a still life setting, which bring together the themes and visual references so often apparent in her art practice.

Nerrida Parfitt’s oil paintings explore themes of solitude, impermanence, and the interplay between self and environment. In this exhibition titled 'Pause', she captures brooding landscapes and abandoned spaces, evoking a quiet tension through light, shadow, and profound stillness.

As a proud Nhunggabarra artist, my work is deeply rooted in the stories, traditions, and landscapes of my heritage. For the past eight years, I have dedicated myself to exploring and expressing my culture through acrylic paintings on canvas and various public murals. My art serves as a bridge between cultures, weaving together traditional teachings and contemporary perspectives. Through this fusion, I aim to share the richness of my Aboriginal identity with a broader audience. Each piece reflects my deep connection to the land, the generations before me and the stories that have been passed down through time.

This collection focuses on an obsession with the light in the sky at dawn and at dusk. The paintings were inspired by wanderings and early commuting into the rising dawn and the setting sunlight. They are imbued with a sense of peace, calm and hope unique to the start of a new day and the sense of unwinding and drawing in at day's end.

In my latest exhibition, "The Things We Collect," I invite you to explore the interplay between the literal and the allegorical. Initially, the concept is straightforward: the still life paintings that depict our tangible collections—objects that are familiar, safe, and pleasing to the eye. These works, though somewhat allegorical, are easily understood and offer a simple aesthetic pleasure.

This collection of work explores domestic life centred around the dining table that occupies an important place in the artist’s home. A table of interesting dimensions, long and thin, it was made originally to fit a difficult space. It has since moved house twice, and has fitted into each new space as if it were made to be right there.

As the cold season approaches, the table becomes the place to sit in the warmth of Winter sun - to eat, to read, to work, or to talk with friends.

To honour and celebrate of a decade of cultivating and showcasing Australian talent, The Corner Store Gallery proudly presents a commemorative exhibition featuring ten of our distinguished artists from the past decade. Each artist has created two unique 10 x 10 inch works capturing the spirit of their practice and reflecting the gallery’s enduring commitment to artistic innovation.

TEN not only celebrates the last decade of The Corner Store Gallery, but also acknowledges the vibrant community of artists who have contributed to our success. Join us as we honour the past and look forward to the future with this milestone exhibition.

Time to Reflect is the latest series of paintings by Jo Fernandez.  The works feature water as a prompt for personal reflection.  The central subject is the reflection of land and sky, and although inspired by specific locations, it could be anywhere, as the artist works from intuition as well as observation.

Jo's works are representational of elements within the landscape she responds to emotionally; editing and isolating what she considers to be the core significance.  Be it the transient quality of light and atmosphere, the drama of colour and tone in cloud formations, her works convey a sense of calm and nostalgia. The artist invites the viewer to pause, reflect and restore a sense of place in nature.

Moving from New York back to Australia, I now live as I grew up, on the edge of a National Park. As a remote location, it is this natural environment that fills me with inspiration which I continue to learn about every day. 

Walking the local tracks and being part of the community bush care group I’m in constant awe of our Australian bush and its fragility. The unique vision of our wildflowers and endangered birds are globally understated or recognised and it is something that drives me paint and share. It is that possibility of a new story that moves me.

I see that we are all small parts of a whole. We adapt and are forever evolving, I cannot help but be influenced by situations, people and places around me and this observation makes for an ongoing story.

Through exploring dramatic tonal contrasts and examining the balance between light and shade, Nell Symonds creates dynamic still life portrayals. Composed of assorted potteries, summery lemons and curvaceous pears and pomegranates, her subjects are often selected for their shapely proportions, intrinsic colour variations, luminosity and ability to cast compelling shadows.

Sydney based artist, Zoe Sernack has produced 5 new works for us that reflect forms of nature above and below the surface. Using a soft and delicate colour palette, Zoe not only paints but carves into the timber boards to really capture the flow and pulse of the Australian landscape. Her work explores the connections between landscape, memory and the subconscious. She has an instinctive understanding of colour, line and texture while balancing abstracted forms. Zoes’ objective has never been to depict but to evoke a visual connection. Whether it be a sense of place, a feeling or a memory.

Historically my work has been associated with strong colours and also the investigation of ‘edges’ – between representation and abstraction, and also the physical nature of edges of paint; whether hard or loose delineations, or the soft blending of paint, each specifically chosen to better evoke moods and create bold visual effects. 

Moving back to the country became the catalyst for Amanda Holman to pursue her dream of becoming a full-time artist.

Inspiration to capture the beauty of the countryside evolved from a childhood in the township of Mudgee NSW, a country town surrounded by hills with everchanging colours, rivers framed by ancient rivergums, and seasonal windswept pastures.

Now living in Orange, Amanda has found the surrounding scenery to be a fuel for the senses. 

Amanda’s pursuit of landscapes that capture the essence of Australia and the Australian light is paramount in her practice.  To create scenes that evoke a sense of connection to the country and a feeling of tranquillity and restfulness is her objective. 

Beyond 4 Walls is a collection of works in which Amanda seeks to portray the awe-inspiring beauty of the country around us.

Andrea is a prolific artist who is represented by various Galleries within Australia and collections worldwide. She creates work that observe the ordinary, but celebrate the beauty within.

Andrea presents us with a collection of work that invites us to emerge from the blur of the last few years and find some clarity in the future. Using the landscape as reference, “Blur” envelopes the viewer in a haze that evokes comfort and hope.

Group exhibition by the artists of Bula’bula Arts based in Ramingining, NT.

Our artists have a compelling material culture producing works of deep ritual and spiritual significance and are authentic in their connection to Yolngu (people) and their true nature and beliefs. The artworks contain meaningfulness about sophisticated and complex social structures: such as ceremonies, songs, language, creation beings, family and the Yolngu identity within, as well as the relationships between all things: such as animals, plants, birds, trees, fish and water.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.

Bula’bula Arts is generously supported by the Australian Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program.

An Ode to Pink is a celebration of the captivating colour of pink. This group exhibition features a diverse collective of abstract artists taking us on a vibrant journey through hue and colour.

EXHIBITING ARTISTS

Daniela Cristallo, Chris de Hoog, Ben Foster, Simon Palmer, Kate Pittas, Alexandra Plim, Susan Simonini, Nastia Gladuschenko, Christina McLean, Madeline Young.

How does exploring a new place make you feel ? Do you find yourself taking note of the differences in landscape, mentally jotting down the colours and shapes?

Recently I’ve been lucky enough to experience some travel and found myself taking note of these changes unable to quiet my mind until I’ve brought those new colours and compositions to the canvas.

‘Field Notes’ celebrates finding beauty in the things that surround us…whether that be noticing the new colours with the changing of seasons or taking note of the beautiful shapes from little flowers in our very own backyards.

My hope for this exhibit is that it will bring joy to each viewer and reason to take note of the beauty within colours and shadows of our everyday surrounds.

Within this body of work, Jane explores the natural beauty, the ecological importance and essential habitat sanctuary that bushland and wilderness areas provide - A Refuge, where flora, fauna and biodiversity can thrive. Conservation, regeneration and the re-wilding of country are integral to a healthy, bio-diverse environment.

Time spent Bushwalking and forest bathing Shinrin-yoku, are integral in the development of Jane’s arts practice, providing an endless source of creative nourishment and compositional inspiration.

In our busy, modern lives, where many daylight hour are spent indoors, it is easy to feel a disconnection from nature. The lives we live, the resources we consume and the impact our choices have upon the natural environment are often out of sight, out of mind.

To celebrate our 9th anniversary, Gallery Director Madeline Young has curated a group exhibition of 21 artists from across varied and diverse practices. Many have exhibited with The Corner Store Gallery before with some joining us for the first time. Artists were invited to create two artworks each exploring the term “Quiet”.

Exhibiting Artists

Michelle Arnott, Laura Baker, Emily Birks, Kim Bizo, Clare Dubina, Liss Finney, Andrea Hopgood, Matt James, Ingrid Kwong, Sandon Gibbs O’Neil, Stacey McCall, Brendan Nicholl, Amanda Ogilby, Nerrida Parfitt, Sarah Randall, Ruth Rawle, Daniel Rivers, Georgina Sambell, Andrea Shaw, Meg Walters, Alex Watts.

Terrain brings together some of our wonderful, female landscape painters who have exhibited with The Corner Store Gallery over the past few years. Each artist portrays their environment in unique and personal ways. Some with precise and finite detail, some loosely and freely.

Their connection to particular places and landscapes is heartfelt and joyous, each celebrating the beauty and complexity that surrounds them.

Exhibiting Artists: Natasha Daniloff, Inel Date, Jo Fernandez, Ann Gordon, Amanda Holman, Rishelle Kent, Pennie McKibbin, Petra Pinn, Dee Roberts, Chanel Sohier, Allison Taplin, Jane Tonks.

Exhibiting Artists: Lily Platts, Yani Lenehan, Domenica Russo, Gavin Coote, Liz Wickramasinghe, Sky Jasper Mooney, Jude Keogh, Rina Bernabei, Elizabeth Lewis, Sue Wearne, Sophie Corks, Jaq Davies, Korynn Morrison, Lauren Tausend, Naomi Lawler, Jennifer Rosnell, Ana Anderson, Raphe Coombes, Jason McDonald, Helena Newcombe.

Untitled brings together the work of many artists from across Australia, some Corner Store Gallery alumni and some brand new to our space. These artists work across different, and sometimes unusual mediums and ideas. Each artist has been hand-picked by Curator Madeline Young for their unique and striking work. This exhibition will be a joyous, quirky and amusing celebration of a wonderful group of contemporary artists.

Ordinary Things is a celebration of the tenacity, joy, dedication, humour, and chaos that permeates my life as a working-from-home artist. It is an exploration of the endless balancing act of being a mother, wife and creator. The works blur the boundaries of domestic and artistic life, where household items or children’s toys playfully invade the composition as if they’re in the process of being tidied up. The exhibition also explores the bittersweet passing of childhood, highlighting the brevity of this period of innocence and playfulness, where the young child’s locus in the domestic sphere begins to expand and well-loved childhood toys are abandoned.

Jo Fernandez is a representational landscape artist living in the historic village of Millthorpe, in the Central Tablelands of NSW. Her work is inspired by the landscape of this region - the expanses of land and sky, distinct seasons and their impact on light and colour.

Known for her cloudscapes, her works invite us to pause, reflect and restore a sense of our place in nature.

Ana Anderson is a contemporary Australian artist, she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (2007) Honours from the National Art School. Ana’s work focuses on the Australian landscape and our connection to nature, exploring the line between reality and abstraction.

In this body of work Ana represents the places of solace that she often retreats to, they are the quiet spaces where she finds connection to something larger, where she can escape and just breathe, they are the spaces between the trees. These compositions were created with multiple layers, tuning into the works in a push and pull intuitive process, creating a balance between reality and abstraction.

FLORA is a group exhibition curated by Gallery Director Madeline Young to celebrate the arrival of Spring. This collection brings together a fantastic group of unique, colourful botanical artworks of all mediums, shapes and sizes.

These contemporary artists use wonderfully diverse techniques and approach experimentation with mediums and materials and throughout their practices.

Exhibiting Artists: Misha Harrison, Zoe Sernack, Fleur Stevenson, Natasha Townsend, Liz Wickramasinghe and Madeline Young.

Is creativity learned? Or is it genetic, is it in the blood?

BLOOD is a collaborative body of work between mother and son duo Madeline Young and Magnus Young-Holborow. This body of work was born of a creative block, some necessary multitasking and an accident.