Episode 199 - Deirdre Bean

Episode 199 - Deirdre Bean

Author: Fiona Verity, Julie Nicholson and Gary Seller October 15, 2024 Duration: 50:46

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Deirdre Bean

We interviewed Deirdre in her home studio in Newcastle surrounded by her wonderful paintings. We spoke to her about residencies, techniques of her work, working with Margaret Olleys objects for her current show at Tweed Regional gallery, her PHD in drawing mangrove species, creating an Australian postage stamp, and much more…

She currently has a show on at Tweed Regional gallery, ‘Domestica’, which is on until 17th November. 

Deirdre has been recently selected as a finalist in the 2024 Portia Geach exhibition at SH Ervin gallery. Congratulations!

‘Inspired by the natural world, Deirdre has always been fascinated with intricate details and perfect forms that the eye sometimes misses.

Her attention to detail and considered compositions continue to be features of her work.

Watercolour applied to paper or vellum with a fine-pointed sable brush are traditional materials Bean uses to illustrate the complexities of the botanical world. She spent seven years researching Australia’s mangrove species for which she was awarded a PhD from the University of Newcastle. Deirdre has broadened her subject matter to include military paraphernalia after artists’ trips to Gallipoli and the Western Front.

Since 2020, Deirdre has been working with oil paint, a medium she has returned to after many years. Since then she has been a finalist in the Muswellbrook Art Prize, the Calleen Art Award and the Portia Geach Memorial Award for portraiture. In 2022, she was the winner of the Gallipoli Art Prize. 

Her work is held in major collections including the Hunt Institute of Botanical Documentation, Pittsburgh, USA: The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London: The Shirley Sherwood Collection, Oxford, UK: Parliament House, Canberra: Australia Post: The Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney: Gallipoli Club, Sydney.’

Deirdre is represented by Stella Downer Fine Art, Sydney 


There's a fair bit of nonsense that comes with trying to make a life in the arts, something Fiona Verity, Julie Nicholson and their host Gary Seller know all too well. Their Art Wank podcast cuts through that with honest conversations and a good dose of Aussie humour. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair in a studio or a pub, listening as these three curious artists dissect their own creative journeys and the wider art world. They bring on a fantastic mix of guests-practicing artists, curators, gallery owners, and teachers-to get real about the business, education, and personal hustle behind the paintings and sculptures. It’s not just theory; it’s practical advice, shared failures, and the occasional triumph, all wrapped in the kind of banter that makes the whole scene feel a lot less intimidating. Tuning into this podcast offers a genuine sense of community, whether you're an established creative, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply someone who appreciates the messy, human side of making art. You’ll find yourself nodding along, laughing, and maybe even rethinking what it means to build a creative life, all while they navigate the ins and outs of the industry with a wry smile.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 100

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