Interview
Gregory Mallyon
Greg Mallyon is a painter and printmaker who works from his studio in rural Australia. His abstract topographical images are inspired by an aerial perspective of the landscape below. His life story includes constant travel and a rich exposure to European, Asian, Middle Eastern and our own Indigenous culture. His early career began with his first solo exhibition in Provence, France. It was followed by a group exhibition in Rome, a touring exhibition in Hamburg, Wurtzburg and Dortmund, Germany and a solo exhibition in Zagreb, Croatia. This international exposure and success led to interest within the Australian art world. Representation followed with the prestigious Raya Gallery in Melbourne culminating in four sell out exhibitions and a flying start for a young artist. Over the succeeding years Greg has held over 40 solo exhibitions throughout Australian capital cities as well as Singapore and Honolulu. He has participated in over 80 group exhibitions in locations such as Barcelona, Venice, and Taipei and also locally at The National Gallery of Victoria, University of Melbourne and the Next Wave and Antipodes festivals.
Greg has been represented in 14 international art fairs in Hong Kong, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Singapore. Greg holds a Master's degree in art (majoring in painting) UNSW, a Diploma in Fine Art (majoring in printmaking) QCA and a Post Graduate Diploma in Art Education QUT, Other studies have included Italian language at the Univeristi per Stranieri Perugia, Ancient History and Classical Civilization, University of Queensland, Fine Arts at the University of Melbourne and Computer art at RMIT. In recent years he has been awarded artist residencies at Can Serrat International Art Centre Barcelona (2011) The International School of Graphic Design, Venice (2014) and C.A.P. print studio in Chiang Mai (2017). Media publicity about Greg's career has included over 80 magazine, newspaper, television and radio interviews and in-flight videos for QANTAS and the former ANSETT airlines. Greg's previous homes and renovation projects have been featured in lifestyle magazines including Vogue Living Australia, House and Garden, Home Beautiful and others. His work has appeared on TV and movie sets and commissioned or acquired by major corporate collections, universities, government departments and luxury hotels. Concurrent with his career as an artist Greg has contributed to the Australian art scene for decades via various administrative roles. These have included coordinator of Fine Arts at the Council of Adult Education, part owner and managing director of Port Jackson Press, manager of Northern Editions at Charles Darwin University and manager of World Vison's Birrung Gallery in Sydney. In these capacities Greg worked on projects, educational programs and exhibitions with many of the nations leading artists and Indigenous communities including Yuendumu, Maningrida, Balgo Hills and the Tiwi islands. These experiences have enriched his own artistic output.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My journey into the artworld began when I won a fellowship to Art college at the age of 17. After graduating I have had a long career as an artist, art educator and gallery dealer. I have worked with many of Australia's leading artists as a publisher of limited editions prints and spent over 10 years working with and mentoring Indigenous artists in remote communities. Such experiences have enriched my own artistic output, I have continued to study and travel throughout my life constantly refining and improving my art practice.”
What inspires you?
“I am inspired by an aerial perspective of the landscape below and the beauty created by nature in our topography and geography. This interest has included research and a master's thesis in the history of aerial art and how numerous civilizations and artists have also been fascinated by observing the landscape from above. Contemporary satellite images and aerial photography are also a major source of themes for my paintings and prints. Many exhibitions have resulted from my travels by air including commercial jets, hot air balloon, helicopters and light aircraft.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“The beauty of the natural world is my main theme. The colors, patterns and textures that appear in beaches, deserts and mountains or even found objects such as rocks, branches, bark and lichen are all incorporated into my designs. We humans are here temporarily in this amazing universe of extraordinary beauty.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work is abstract landscape. Although I focus on the vast Australian continent, I have also depicted aerial landscapes of SE Asia, Europe and the Middle East. As I often incorporate digital imaging with traditional painting and printmaking my work is quite unique in its process.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I follow many contemporary European and American artists on Instagram, so I am constantly viewing new works by major international artists such as Damien Hirst. The Indigenous art of Australia is also unique in its aerial perspective of the land and so I have been strongly influenced by my exposure to their work. My interest in art history has resulted in influences from ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Medieval Europe and Mughal painting from India.”
“The beauty of the natural world is my main theme. The colors, patterns and textures that appear in beaches, deserts and mountains or even found objects such as rocks, branches, bark and lichen are all incorporated into my designs.”
What is your creative process like?
“As both a printmaker and painter I combine many techniques from both disciplines. I use contemporary technology such as Ink jet printing and digital imaging with traditional materials such as Japanese rice paper, ground pigments, oil or acrylic paints. I utilize surfaces including, canvas, wood, aluminum and paper. A painting may therefore include collages and multiple layers of etchings and stencils combined with painting and ink jet printing.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Artists have always played a role in every society either for religious, social, aesthetic, commercial or even political reasons. An outstanding artwork may often survive the civilization in which it was created. The massive social media network which is now a daily part of our global culture is also a unique forum for artists to reach out and share their vision of our world.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“With over 40 solo exhibitions internationally there have been many highlights. Major international art fairs in cities like Hong Kong and Singapore have also been exhilarating in scale and energy.”
Website: www.gregmallyonart.com
Instagram: @greg_mallyon
