Hugh Drake

Hugh Drake

Biography
Having completed a Graduate Diploma in Art Education at Alexander Mackie College, City Art Institute, Paddington (now COFA) after an initial two years of Visual Art Studies at The National Art School in Darlinghurst, I began my professional career as a High School Art Teacher for many years, interspersed with extensive travel throughout the world.

Much of the inspiration for my current artwork developed during my Post Graduate year at City Art Institute (COFA) working in electronic media which comprised video art, sound and photography. I produced several short video pieces derived from footage of light reflections on water, which were synthesized using analogue systems of the time creating hypnotic, often meditative works encouraging a trance like state, similar to that experienced in the hauntingly beautiful ambiance of the Australian bush, its waterholes and riversides. One of these works was exhibited at the George Paton Gallery in Melbourne and Tokyo Video festival during the 80’s.

In recent years, having ceased my occupation as a state High School Art Teacher, I have again begun to explore this direction with works on paper or canvas, using various media, allowing the spontaneous evolution of line and form to emerge as different media react and merge with each other. I see myself as an emerging artist, having exhibited in group shows in smaller galleries around Sydney, over the past several years including a successful six-month residence at first draft studios during 2012.

Education
1969 Diploma in Art Education Degree, National Art School/Alexander Mackie College, Sydney.
1983 Graduate Diploma in Professional Art Studies, Alexander Mackie College, City Art Institute Paddington, Sydney.
2006 Digital Media Cert IV, Northern Sydney TAFE

Solo Exhibitions
2017 Fluidity Thienny Lee Gallery, Sydney

Group Exhibitions
2017 Kick Start Sea Street Gallery Northern Subs TAFE
2016 Brush with Frame Sea Street Gallery Northern Subs TAFE
2015 Flash Exhibition Tap Gallery, Sydney
2014 Flash Exhibition Tap Gallery, Sydney
2013 Flash Exhibition Tap Gallery, Sydney
2012 Firstdraft Depot Studios Wooloomooloo, Sydney
2011 Flash Exhibition Tap Gallery, Sydney
2010 Curiously Consumed Tap Gallery, Sydney
2010 Its as Plain as Black and White Tap Gallery, Sydney
2010 Another Language Kaleidoscope Gallery Paddington, Sydney
2009 My Dark Side Tap Gallery, Sydney
2008 About A Man Tap Gallery, Sydney
2006 Images Of The Cross Tap Gallery, Sydney
1983 Works by Australian Video Artists George Paton Gallery, Melbourne