Berni Ayreart

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

Berni's creations are inspired by the Australian landscape and her connection to and understanding of Indigenous culture and art expression. She imparts a genuine knowledge of place, sense of 'Country' and a level of respect for Fauna and Flora found in the landscape. 

Berni's paintings have been described as alluring and sensitive, enticing the viewer to consider her journey and sensory experience exploring tracks, valleys, forests, back paddocks, and or open escarpments. Her technique often starts 'en plein air' and then encompasses a variety painting and printing techniques intriguing her peers and inviting all to take a closer look to discover patterns, textures and light affects achieved by layering and brush strokes.  

Berni is self taught. As a young teenager she learnt to paint by copying works of Arthur Streeton, Tom Roberts, Kenneth Jack and other well known artists, sitting on the floor of the N.S.W. Art Gallery during school holidays. Her only tuition was from her school teacher, the avant-garde Artist George Balyck. Her incidental friendships with Artists she found painting around the Sydney harbourside in the 1970-80's led to further incidental instruction but mostly encouragement especially when many gave Berni their old brushes, tubes of paint and discarded canvases. Some of these artists included James R Jackson, Betty Stevens, Jack Lynn, Peter Kingston, and Luna Park mural artist Martin Sharp. 

In 1977 before leaving school, Berni (then known as JoAnne) was invited to exhibit two oil landscapes at the prestigious Artarmon International Art Gallery where she won an UK Arts Scholarship for her work 'On the banks of the Murray'. (Her adopted parents declined the offer). Other exhibition offers followed from multiple Sydney Art Galleries, however suffering a small stroke Berni chose to change her career path in 1984 completing a Graphic Arts and Photography Diploma and becoming a Biomedical and Forensic Photographer and part-time Photo Journalist until 1990.

Now painting from her studios on the Bellarine and at Glenlyon near Daylesford Vic., Berni paints and exhibits infrequently. Her notable prizes over the last 30 plus years include: multiple public choice awards, and acquisitions including: the ANL Mission to Seafarers Maritime Art Prize 'People's Choice' Award; Melbourne University; RMIT Contemporary Art Prize; Best in Show, Best Landscape - regional Rotary Art Shows; and features 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 and overseas. 

Berni remains a committed volunteer Arts mentor and teacher, and a Curator and Patron of the Arts. She continues to provide workshops for VCE Art students, isolated regional Indigenous young artists, and mentors those who seek more confidence pursuing their passion for art. Berni is also a Gov. Advisor for - Arts Culture Heritage and Conservation. She has achieved two Women's Day Awards for mentoring and promoting Youth Indigenous Arts, and for her work with affected Youth to develop their Mitchell Shire 2009 Black Saturday Youth Bushfire Memorial installation at the Clonbinane Community Hall, Clonbinane Vic.