INGRID
ostberg
patterns, textures, rhythms and ever changing light
ABOUT INGRID:
As a child I was surrounded by beautiful gardens and music. I have always been fascinated by plants, flowers and the interaction of insects, birds and butterflies in the garden which was my haven. I would spend hours with my terrier sitting under a hedge or in amongst the flowers watching the sunlight dappling the lawns and gardens and following the movement as the breeze rustled the branches. As I got older I drew the insects, birds, flowers and bushland surrounding me.
I draw or paint figuratively when outside to record the contours, shapes and colours from the landscape but when in the studio my work becomes an abstraction of this reference material.
I studied for 8 years at Melbourne, Chisholm and Monash universities in music, anthropology and art. My interest was in recording the music, language and arts of the aboriginals and Torres Straight Islanders as no-one was really doing very much about it in 1950’s and 1960’s.
I won a number of awards and sold much of my work overseas as a student and graduate but I was absorbed in music and eventually worked with National Geographic which enabled me to travel to remote locations.
I won the Trans-Tasman Art Scholarship which enabled me to travel to Europe, explore the galleries and gardens and settle in Valenzia, Spain and prepare for an exhibition. However the shipping container in which my work was being transported to Australia was lost at sea and so I had no record of those paintings.
Back in Australia I spent 12 months working with Bullens Circus. Many evenings on the east coast were spent with the Bullen family and Slim Dusty and his wife. This was a rare opportunity to travel to remote areas in Australia with a family and the safety and security that it provided. I drew and painted the landscape throughout this period.
I have spent about 25 years teaching art in secondary schools and over 10 years providing weekly classes and workshops in the Yarra Valley on a voluntary basis.
My recent work is based around my home garden, lake and bushland and the magnificent rural landscapes of the Yarra Valley. The patterns, textures, rhythms and ever changing light inspire my work. I spend hours in the garden listening to music and enjoying a local wine while painting whimsical works in a myriad of colours inspired by my potted garden.
