Libbet Loughnan

My work explores connectedness and the fragility of life. The pieces reflect a childhood very rich in family warmth under the Australian sun, stories encountered across countries in adult life, and a desire for more reflection on the place of humans within nature. My main body of work is bright and dark acrylic on small portable wood panels, developed during 13 years at home in three continents. Increasingly I also produce large watercolors on paper, which means one chance in each layer of paint, and sculptures, in order to play with viewers from all perspectives.

Libbet Loughnan spent her childhood in Australia's Barrabool Hills. She has always loved drawing and painting. Having trained at Robert Drummond’s Geelong Fine Art School, Loughnan then worked for a time with a state gallery in Mexico to run an art program among street children.

Loughnan now attends the life drawing classes at the National Arts Club in New York. She is inspired by artists Frida Kahlo, Brett Whitely, John Olsen, Françoise Gilot, Robert Drummond, Hunt Slonem, Brenda Napaltjarri, Robert Ingpen, her family –including its professional and innate artists– and by scuba diving and exploring. Loughnan is also interested in collecting art and dead little (cleaned) sea creatures, to have some inspiration in her Aussie home where she paints.

Loughnan has exhibited in New York, Geelong, Point Lonsdale, Melbourne, London, Berlin, Mexico city and Oaxaca.

Recent/upcoming exhibitions:

• February 2018: Solo exhibition, Ceres Gallery, New York, USA

• February 2017: Solo exhibition, National Arts Club, New York, USA

• October 2016: Ballerine Open Studios, Victoria, Australia

• March – April 2016: Qube Gallery, Cebu, Philippines

• March 2016: Golden Plains Open Studios, Victoria, Australia

• March 2016: Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival, Puerto Galera, Philippines

• February 2016: The Wintergarden Gallery, Geelong, Australia

• October 2015: Obracodobra, Oaxaca, Mexico

• September 2015: Affordable Art Fair NYC, New York, USA

• July 2015: Osaka Art Fair, Osaka, Japan

• May 2015: New York Select Art Fair, New York, USA

• May 2015: Etch Gallery, Geelong, Australia

• April 2015: Toronto Love Art Fair, Toronto, Canada

• April 2015: Gordon Art Gallery, Geelong, Australia

• March 2015: National Arts Club, New York, USA

Awards/Other:

• 13 March 2015: Awarded Prize at the National Arts Club Exhibiting Members Exhibit, National Arts Club, New York, USA

• 1 – 31 March 2015: Starry Night Artists’ Residency, New Mexico