Artists of the Central Highlands

AN ONGOING love affair with all things Italian informs the aesthetic in the much collected and admired work of Daylesford artist Brian Reberger. Each year, Brian spends time working in his studios in both Daylesford and Umbria, Italy. Now he’s preparing for a significant exhibition coming up at Steps Gallery in Carlton in May.

Eve: How do you describe your artistic style?

Brian: My artistic style isn’t easy to categorise. I guess a realist with a twist, capturing fleeting moments in people’s daily lives, or aspects of nature. The finished works often resonate deeply with the viewer.

Eve: How did you come to art?

Brian: I came to art almost by accident. As a floundering 19-year-old in a very small country hometown in NSW, one day a close family friend invited me to visit her art studio. She sensed that there was perhaps an untapped artist flair awaiting release. That day changed my life, I never looked back and I will always be indebted to Molly Lewis.

Eve: Which artists influence your own work?

Brian: My influencers and admired artist list has always been broad and varied. They include Piero della Francesca and Raphael for an Italian Renaissance mix. Then Edward Hopper, David Hockney, Francis Bacon and Jeffrey Smart for a more modern addition.

Eve: What is your medium or media of choice?

Brian: In the past I have worked in oil on canvas, and chalk pastel on Italian rag paper. For the past few years, I have specialised in charcoal on rag paper. It is a medium that many artists find difficult, but I thoroughly enjoy the depth of contrast achievable and the challenge of keeping it in total control. Sometimes I also incorporate a broad mix of varying media with the charcoal. It all depends on the individual piece, and the look I want in the finished work. I love that there are no ‘rules’. Anything is possible and experimenting can often surprise both the artist and the viewer in a very positive and unexpected way.

Eve: What is your subject matter of choice?

Brian: My subject matter has always had a very strong Italianate influence. Indeed, I have always had a very strong calling for everything Italian, and now I am very fortunate to spend time in Italy each year, cementing and gathering the inspiration, and working in my Italian second studio. The first studio being in Daylesford. It is fascinating how spending time in a place as a local totally changes the finished outcome. You are able to view from the inside, not merely as an outside observer passing through.

Eve: Have you ever worked in any other area besides your arts practice?

Brian: Of course, in my younger days there were the hospitality experiences to supplement my art practice. Later on I was fortunate to be the buyer for a boutique homewares store specialising in European high end products. Even though I am a full-time artist, I now work casually as an extra for film and television.

Working in the art studio can become a solitary, introspective experience, so the extras work allows me to meet new people, experience at very close range a totally diverse art practice - the crazy, manic world of film production - and travel to many varying locations. It allows great flexibility with working hours.

with Eve Lamb

Eve: What are you working on at the moment in your current arts practice?

Brian: I am completing two major private commissions to take back to Italy later this year. I have been very lucky in recent years to have successfully completed many major commission projects. This was particularly so during the Covid lockdowns. I am also working towards my solo retrospective exhibition to be held the first week of May 2023 at Steps Gallery in Carlton.

Eve: When you work in the studio do you like to play music?

Brian: This is a very important question for me, and one that artists are seldom asked about. My artworks take from weeks to months to complete each one, and for me working on them becomes like a form of meditation. Hence the preparation for work each day is an important ritual. With lighting, scent, and of course sound in the studio all being important considered elements. For the music I have created a carefully edited, and often tweaked, Spotify playlist for the studio comprising close to 10,000 tracks.

It is a very eclectic mix ranging from opera and classical, to ambient, Italian pop and current music, each one chosen for a personal resonance. Played on shuffle, so I am constantly surprised and the concentration is tweaked without being interrupted.

Eve: To date, what have been your career highlights as an artist?

Brian: Every exhibition is a wonderful highlight. Over the years I have had many, and the opportunity to share your work, and discuss it with visitors and clients, is always wonderful. Also I have been told on numerous occasions from collectors of my works that my paintings have changed their lives, or give them endless joy when they look at them daily. Such feedback is always such a positive affirmation that the time spent on the creative process is never in vain.

Eve: Do you have any exhibitions or special arts events coming up?

Brian: Yes, I have a very special exhibition planned very soon. This will be my 40 + 1 year retrospective exhibition. I have called it ‘My Italian Life’ and it will be a celebration of my career as an artist for over 40 years, and also celebrating my ongoing love affair with all things Italian, in particular the people, the landscape and its culture. Works from all periods of my career will be exhibited. It is at Steps Gallery, 62 Lygon Street Carlton (the city end) from May 2 to May 7. The opening hours are 11am to 5pm daily. I invite all your readers to visit if they can, and make themselves known to me, as I will be there each day.

Image: Eve Lamb