Dr Gene
2019 – 2021
Acrylic on linen, mulberry paper hand cut
122 x 112 cm 
Install dimension 122 x 122 cm

Dr Gene Sherman AM is a South African born Australian gallerist and philanthropist – best known for her humanity, passion, diligence, dedication and academic expertise in visual culture, contemporary art, fashion and architecture.

I was introduced to Gene in 2017 through our mutual friend Guan Wei and became fascinated by Gene’s determination and highly focussed vision of the world. Since then, we have stayed in touch.

I published a conversation with Dr Gene in my book The Tao: Conversations on Chinese Art in Australia in  2018. From 2019, I started researching and made some drawings. I hand cut the dress that Gene wore from her Miyake fashion collection.

During COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Gene led the SCCI team to transform a series of live conferences into the SCCI digital Cinephile Hub (comprising twenty, hour long, culture-focused digital episodes). I sketched Gene while she was working from the home office.

I tried to capture the subject’s fundamental spirit and way of being in the world. Meanwhile, I painted Gene’s beloved rescue dog Miette. During the lockdown, he is always to be found by her side.

Portia Geach Memorial Award 2021
S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney
4 November – 19 December 2021