Don Gentle BA, Assoc. Dip. Fine Arts
History
Born and raised in rural and regional Australia, sometimes living on the fringe of what could be considered the ”Outback” and schooled in small “central” schools, art did not play a huge part of my early development. In fact it was only occasionally taught as a subject in the school I attended for the majority of my secondary education.
At university I studied literature and wrote poetry but found it unsatisfactory. The university rarely (with very good reason) found my performance very satisfactory but after recovery from alcoholism and addiction, the University of New England awarded me a degree.
From there it was the job from hell for eight years. To escape the atmosphere of this job, make some extra money, and to be in the company of people I understand, I did an occasional stint as a life model for the local Technical College. I became steadily more convinced that I could in fact complete the diploma course the kids were undertaking. So at the age of 34, and having lied through my teeth about my academic preparation for the course (a subterfuge seen through by the head teacher but mercifully passed over) I started the course part time. Within two weeks I had re-enrolled full time. I had found what I wanted to do when I grew up.
After that it has been a steady growth of learning and confidence. This period has coincided with much personal grief and the addressing of my second major mental health issue; Bipolar Disorder. But through it all, my career in art has been my major focus. Launching this web page is my next step.
From 1979 until his untimely death in 2000, I was partnered by a wonderful man called Peter. From 2003 I have had the privilege to live with the equally (but differently) wonderful Bruce. Not many people strike it that lucky once in their lives let alone twice. I feel very special.
Art
My art is not political. I do not work as a statement about my “gayness” I am simply fascinated by male sexuality. You will also see constant references to my religious upbringing and hints of my rejection of organised religion. Possibly you will notice an interest occasionally with science and particularly astronomy and cosmology. Just my world and welcome to it! I have escaped the Australian obsession with landscape but I think it has influenced my choice of a limited palette of bright colours, relatively unmixed. Although my subject is limited, I use a number of painterly techniques to change “mood”. I hope you enjoy what I have to offer.
Don Gentle
CV
Born 1958
Education
1994 Associate Diploma of Fine Arts
1985 Bachelor of Arts
Exhibitions
2003 Manning Entertainment Centre. Solo exhibition
2002 Yellow Cowboy Blues solo exhibition
2000 GS/HF solo exhibition
1999 Five Years On solo exhibition
1997 The Bald and The Dutiful solo exhibition
1997 Saumerez Homestead group exhibition
1996 Body Line Sauna solo exhibition
1995 Four on the Floor group exhibition
Competitions
2007 Manning Valley Art Prize Finalist
2007 adultshop.com Erotic Art Prize Finalist
2005 Walcom Finalist
2003 Walcom Finalist
1999 Moombi Drawing
1998 NEAS Portraiture
1998 Bendemeer Drawing
1997 NEAS Portraiture
Work
2003-2005 owned Mermaid Teahouse Gallery
Represented in Collections of
The University of New England
Ms Wendy Machin (Former member of NSW Parliament)
Mr John Tolbert (Pasadena California)
Ms Michelle Arens (Los Angeles California)