Local artist draws on memories of Manly

Born and raised on the Northern Beaches, Peta Dzubiel has drawn on her childhood memories of school holidays spent at the beach and amongst the natural playground of the Beaches to create paintings that respond to the works of renowned Australian artist Ethel Carrick Fox (1872 – 1952).

“Carrick Fox’s paintings of women and children enjoying the beach in and around Manly resonated deeply with me as they conjured my own childhood memories of fun times spent at the beach..

“I hope that people can see that women and children enjoying the beach and our natural environment is a timeless pursuit, and that it sparks enjoyable memories,” said Ms Dzubiel

Dzubiel completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours at the College of Fine Arts in Sydney in 2006 and has since been acknowledged for her efforts with a number of accolades including:

Recently, Manly Art Gallery & Museum asked Peta to respond to Carrick Fox’s paintings (including one of the gallery’s most well-known paintings in their permanent collection) for the Destination Sydney: re-imagined exhibition from 7 December 2018 - 17 March 2019.

“Stripes, umbrellas, hats, figures, simplified shapes, shadows and light are strong elements in Carrick Fox’s paintings. I wanted to present these same elements in a contemporary way, capturing the essence of people, time and place.”

Peta Dzubiel’s three paintings, done in the style ‘en plein air’ – a style of painting made famous in the French Impressionist era when artists left the confines of their studios and experienced painting and drawing in the landscape. Her works will be transformed into a large-scale outdoor photographic installation on The Great Wall of Manly in the Gallery’s forecourt.

Peta says she was not familiar with Carrick Fox’s significance as a trailblazing female artist before she began this project, but she quickly became an admirer of her work and life.

“Carrick Fox pursued life as a professional artist and forewent the traditional expectation of women of that era which was home and childrearing.

“She had an adventurous spirit which saw her travel the world with her husband and artistic partner E. Phillips Fox, painting ‘en plein air’ compositions that observed life wherever they were.” Ms Dzubiel said.

Art lovers are invited to attend a talk and afternoon tea with Dzubiel on Sunday 9 December from 3-4pm to hear her discuss how she approached the project and what she learned through her research of Carrick Fox and her technique. Find out more

List of works Beach Days, 2018 oil on paper, 29cm x 38cm

Under the Umbrella, 2018 oil on paper, 38cm x 29cm

Fairlight Pool, 2018 oil on paper, 29cm x 38cm

The original artworks are available for sale for $350 each through the artist [email protected] or petadzubiel.com