Berni Ayreart

BERNI AYREART (b.1961 - ) Painter, Printmaker, Photographer, Book-maker and Poet.

'The scent of crushed eucalyptus rising from damp earth after a passing shower. Salt spray breeze over coastal cliffs and crashing waves. Sunset filtered through Banksias interupted by shifting shadows of black Cockatoos feasting on Hakea blooms...' this is the "all" that evokes an emotional and artistic response from Daylesford Artist Berni Ayreart.

Berni's paintings have been described as alluring and sensitive. Often sketching 'en plein air', back in the studio many works evolve to explore the rthyhm of light entangled with nature. Using rich tonal palettes with multi layered texture, interpreted detail elevates her works beyond mere realism and provides for the Artist's signature style that suggests the "mood" of the Australian landscape. Her deep understanding of Indigenous cullture and the caretaking of "country" is evident and reflected in her works.

A teenager in the 1970's and 80's, growing up on Sydney's North Shore, Berni learnt to paint by copying works of Arthur Streeton, Tom Roberts, Kenneth Jack and other well known artists while sitting on the floor of the N.S.W. Art Gallery during school holidays. Limited formal tuition and encouragement from her school teacher, the 'avant-garde' Artist George Balyck and incidental friendships with popular Artists of the time - James R Jackson, Betty Stevens, Jack Lynn, Peter Kingston, and Luna Park mural artist Martin Sharp was what spurred Berni's passion for art. 

In 1977, Berni exhibited her first oil landscape 'On the banks of the Murry' at the prestigious Artarmon International Art Gallery Landscape Exhibition. Winning the "Encouragement Award" and an UK Arts Scholarship, provided an overseas opportunity to study Arts, however her parents were not supportive, causing Berni to rebel leaving home at 16 and find work at a Pacific Film Lab. and painting casually in her spare time.

1979 had Berni suffer a stroke making painting difficult, Bernie pursued Graphic Arts and Photography Diplomas and became a Biomedical and Forensic Photographer and parttime regional Photo Journalism. Her new found love of photography afforded her a wealth of images captured travelling across Australia, with this portfolio provided the references to encourage her to return to fulltime painting in her retirement in 1990.

Notable Art prizes over the years include: multiple awards, and acquisitions, including: the ANL Mission to Seafarers Maritime Art Prize 'People's Choice' Awards; Melbourne University; Camberwell Art Show; RMIT Contemporary Art Prize; Best in Show, Best Landscape in multiple Rotary Art Shows; and featured articles in the "Australian Artist" Magazine. Collections include: Shires of Mitchell, Whittlesea and Darabin. The Kingdom of Tonga Royal Collection, City of Rotorua People's Collection, Blackpool Gallery Collection, Vancouver Canada Expat collection, and in private collectors hands in Australia, Uk and beyond. 

A committed volunteer and VCE Arts mentor, a Curator and Patron of the Arts, Berni also provides workshops and resources for isolated regional and Indigenous students, and mentors adults.

Receiving two Women's Day Awards for: mentoring and promoting Youth Arts; working with bushfire affected Youth in Michell Shire( 2009 Black Saturday Bushfires) for their Memorial installation at Clonbinane Community Hall Vic.; advocacy and advisory roles work with local Gov. in Arts, Culture and Heritage; and her hours of physical conservation work in regional communities.

Berni's main studio is on the scenic Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria, however she spends most time at her property in Glenlyon emersed exploring country lanes and painting distant vistas.