Banksias at Burwood Painting

Brett Piva is a Newcastle based painter, sculptor, installation artist and muralist. Piva’s work intersects two worlds; the natural landscape of the Australian bush and the manufactured surfaces of urbanised space. Diverse organic markings sourced from sojourns in remote environments are replicated on manmade surfaces; gnarling curls of bark against the perfection of cut glass, or the lines of leaves on brick and mortar. The organic and synthetic are constantly at play and reflecting the other’s attributes. Reflection itself is an enduring theme in Piva’s work. In his primary practice of verre églomisé, reflection is present in the literal sense. The viewer’s own reflection and their surrounds become part of the artwork; an immersion that creates a transversal of time and space conducive to introspection. Furthermore, the mark making is inspired by periods of solitude and field research in remote parts of Australia, where the artist himself reflects on his connection to place and memory. Formally trained in commercial arts before diverging into contemporary landscape and abstraction, Piva’s work has been exhibited in Japan, New York, Chicago, London and Australia. His work is held in esteemed private collections such as the University of Newcastle and he has achieved professional and personal artist residencies both on home soil and abroad. Piva is a staunch advocate for the arts in Newcastle and Australia. As the founder and director of both the MAKE IT- MADE IT Conference and Newcastle’s Onwards Studio and Gallery, Piva has championed knowledge sharing and mentoring to established and emerging artists throughout the community.