Wayne ‘Wombat’ Birrell’s exhibition True Blue explores Australia's heritage, character, and the beauty of things weathered by time. It is on display at Corowa Art Space until September 5.
Howlong artist Wayne Birrell discovered the art of watercolour painting as a cure for boredom while travelling more than 600,000km around Australia in his caravan with his wife Judy.
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The man affectionately known as ‘Wombat’ was discharged from the military in 1997 after three decades working with helicopters and in logistics in the Australian Army.
Wayne said he tried his hand at business, managing holiday units on the Sunshine Coast, but decided it wasn’t the right vocation for an ex-military serviceman who was used to strict routine but couldn’t get a job.
“I spent most of my adult life in the military,” Wayne said.
“The 90s wasn't a good time for military; you couldn't get a job even if you had a resume two inches thick.
“We tried the business for seven years but figured out that for anyone who had some form of discipline and moves into something like that, you realize no one listens to you there.
“So, we bought a caravan, which was named Wombat - that's where the nickname came from - and we went around Australia a few times.
“Judy got one of those new tablet things, but I got bored with that, so I went and found some paints, read a few magazines and started painting.”
One of Wayne’s favourite pieces depicts a sweeping bend on the Murray River called ‘Mosquito Bend’, near his Howlong home.
He now has an exhibition of his works from the last 20 years on display at Corowa Art Space, and he said everyone could do with a bit of Australiana.
Corowa Art Space delved into Wayne’s extensive catalogue of over 40 works celebrating Australia's heritage, character, and the beauty of things weathered by time in his exhibition, ‘True Blue’, which runs until September 5.
The name reflects the Aussie slang for all things authentic, with genuine Aussie spirit.
Wayne started painting primarily in watercolour, having been inspired by watercolour artist Rob Wade, however his larger pieces are painted with acrylics.
“A lot of my original ones, like the old cars and Sanger St were original watercolors, but the brighter ones are acrylic, because when you get bigger, the paper for watercolour gets very expensive,” he said.
“I make all the frames at Howlong Men's Shed, collecting bits and pieces and fitting them to some of the frames.”
Wayne believes painting teaches us to truly see, to look at things for what they are.
Wayne is drawn to rusty relics, heritage pieces, and scenes rich with Australian spirit, with his art reflecting nostalgia, character, and a deep connection with the world around him.
His favourite pieces include a sweeping bend on the Murray River called ‘Mosquito Bend’, near his home, and the Albury railway station in its early days, before they started driving trains straight through to Sydney.
Wayne believes painting teaches us to truly see, to look at things for what they are, not just drive past an old house and not think about who used to live in it.
“When you paint it, you give it a little piece of you,” he said.
“Each one teaches something different about looking and seeing things a different way.”
As a cause close to his heart, Wayne is donating half of all proceeds from the sale of his work to Legacy, an Australian charity that has been dedicated for over 100 years to supporting the families of deceased and seriously injured veterans.
Come and take a gander
What: ‘True Blue’ art exhibition by Wayne ‘Wombat’ Birrell
When: July 21 to September 5; Tuesday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm, and Saturday from 10am to 2pm
Where: Corowa Art Space, Corowa Civic Centre, 100 Edward Street, Corowa
Cost: Entry by gold coin donation to Legacy are appreciated
All works from the exhibition are available for purchase
