This Passion is My Story.

 

DEBORAH ZIBAH BIO

Born in Zimbabwe, Africa, my family and I immigrated to Australia in 1988.

Whilst in Africa, I discovered a talent for art in high school, but the opportunities for any art education, at that time, in a war-torn country were minimal.

I received my first formal art training at the local TAFE, in 1992 here in Australia. Shortly after that I started a mural business, AMAZING MURALS, decorating numerous cafes, restaurants, private homes and hotel lobbies for several years.

My real desire was to attend university to study abstract painting, and enrolled in ECU, Perth in 2000, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 2003. Since then, I’ve been exhibiting regularly in group and solo shows throughout the Perth and southwest regions, my solo shows numbering 25 so far.

My love of surface texture is the driving force of my art practice. Expressive, spontaneous mark making, and emotive gesture is the intuitive process of my work. Using wide metal scrapers and trowels, the paint is applied then scraped back to create vibrant depths of colour fields, uncontrived by the human hand.

This adventure of paint is always so exciting for me. There are never enough hours in the day to explore the endless possibilities that creativity offers on a two-dimensional surface.

 

Some of the most enjoyable moments I have spent in my studio is the experimental process.

This is more than play time. Its the crucial element in the development of my work. In the beginning, there are no expectations, there is no plan, no preconceived outcome, no pressure to produce anything succinct……….just playfulness. I choose the colours and combinations which are pleasing to me and begin plastering them onto the surface with large trowels and spreaders. Scribbles of wax crayon, thick graphite fingers, felt pens and oil stick are applied in unfettered abandon, then more paint is applied. At this stage, elements of collage are glued on, then the playfulness continues. The work has to be be fresh and spontaneous, and has to be ‘in the flow’ of unlimited creativity. I utilise many, different tools to build up exciting areas in the work. The time comes when areas need to be clarified, stripped back, or painted over and this process requires decisive and calculated decisions to bring the work to a conclusive resolution.

The Artistic Abstractions Of Deborah Zibah

By assimilating a boundless variety of shapes, signs, symbols and statements, Deborah Zibah

manifests an entire cosmos on the canvas. With a style uniquely rigorous and industrious, as

it is symbolic, her abstracts feature high impact colours, which are ultimately interspersed,

intertwined, pulled together and pulled apart. The mind, rendered intrigued, can barely

contain her work in a single viewing, as the eye is continually compelled to manoeuvre

backwards and forwards, to and fro upon the large-scale pieces, with every corner and inch

of area contributing to the overall wondrousness and overarching narrative.

The development of Deborah’s style was birthed after a long period of experimentation and

creative expansion. Offered an extensive, widescale, 116-piece commission in 2009 by the

Sebel Hotel, Mandurah, provided a unique opportunity to develop an organic, yet highly

distinguishing process, in an effort to describe the distinct water systems of the West

Australian region. Joining a local plein air group several years later, she began, for the first

time, to paint in a mode far more representational in nature and it was the combination of

this style, together with her previously established process, that lead to a desire to begin

painting in large-scale abstract form.

When initialising new work, the substrate is first prepared, typically internal household doors

due to their rigid strength. Each colour palette consists usually of two richly earthy colours,

black and white, and a batch of hues derived from the originals. A deep love of surface

texture is one of the most instrumental driving forces behind Deborah’s works, and paint is

applied with wide sweeps that are later scraped across the surface area. The absence of

brush strokes gives the work a completely uncontrived quality that administers elements of

freshness and impetuosity. Most predominantly found within the confides of her abstracts

are the artistic traces of American abstract expressionists Franz Kline, Richard Diebenkorn

and Hans Hofmann, and Spanish surrealist Pablo Picasso. Their influential use of colour

segregation, patterns, contours and interlocking forms has had tremendous impact upon the

artistic universes she renders.

DEBORAH ZIBAH RESUME

www.zibahartworks.com. deborah@zibahartworks.com Facebook: Zibah Artworks Instagram: Deborah Zibah

Telephone +61416220983

PRIVATE AND CORPORATE COMMISSIONS

 

2024                                        Mr. Colin Isles

                                                2400 mm x 900mm painting

                                                Acrylic on panel, Waterlilies

 

2023                                        Mrs Elizabeth Morely

                                                2400mm x 1200mm painting

                                                Mixed media on panel for bedroom

 

2023                                        Ms. Janice McDonald

                                                Flowstone Wines, Margaret River, WA

                                                2170mm x 850mm painting with jazz theme

 

2022                                        Ms. Catherine Bastow

                                                Nash Clavey Lawyers, Mandurah,WA

                                                Painting for waiting room 150cm x 120cm

 

2022                                        Mr. Kevin Hamill

                                                Painting 180cm x 80cm

                                                 

2020                                        Mr. and Mrs. Rimpas, Perth, WA

                                                Portrait of 3 grandsons

                                                120cm x 60cm, oil on panel

 

2020                                        Mr. and Mrs. Percudani, Mandurah WA

                                                4 x 45cm x 45cm abstract marina paintings                                                             

2020                                        Omilayo Vashinti, Houston, Texas, USA

                                                Estuary Series painting

                                                160cm x 120cm

 

2020                                        Mrs. Jillian Capper

                                                Painting, 25cm x 25cm oil on board

                                                Gallery Aura, Kojonup, WA

 

2019                                        Mrs. Jillian Capper    

                                                Painting for lounge room

                                                130cm x 130cm mixed media on board

                                                Kojonup, WA

 

2019                                        Janice MacDonald

                                                2200cm x 150cm mixed media on board

                                                Margaret River, WA                               

 

 

2018                                        Mr. and Mrs. Marcoza

                                                220cm x 85cm mixed media on board

                                                Mandurah, WA

 

2018                                        Mrs. Gayle Vienetta

                                                Mural 11.5m x 2.5m

                                                The Stage Door Waterfront Restaurant

                                                Mandurah Boardwalk, Mandurah WA

                                                                                                                                                                                   

2017                                        Thomas Murrell

                                                Private commission

                                                175cm x 110cm, oil on canvas

                                                Subiaco, Perth WA

 

                                               

2017                                        Yael Kurlansky

                                                Client commission

                                                300cm x 120cm

 

2017                                        Yael Kurlansky

                                                Client commission

                                                180cm x 70cm

                                                Bitumen, resin, acrylic on board

 

2017                                        Mr. and Mrs. M. O’Shaunecy

                                                Private commission

                                                120cm x 50cm

                                                Bitumen, resin, oxides on board

 

2117                                        Mr. and Mrs. G. Stoop

                                                Private commission

                                                50cm x 50cm

                                                Industrial enamel and ink on canvas

 

2016                                        Red Umbrella Gallery, Fremantle

                                                2 paintings, 180cm x 120cm

                                                Industrial enamel and ink on canvas

 

2016                                       Janice MacDonald

                                               Margaret River, WA

                                               Two large scale paintings

                                               Diptych 180cm x 100cm

                                               180cm x 120cm

                                               Mixed media on board

 

2016                                       Yael Kurlansky

                                               Yael K Designs, Perth

                                               Client commission

 

2015                                       Mr. and Mrs. H. Rimpas

                                               North Beach, Perth

                                               275cm x 120cm

                                               Oil on canvas

                                                                                      

 

2015                                       Mr. and Mrs. F van Oosterhazen

                                               180cm x 120

                                               Industrial enamel and ink on board

 

2014                                       A & A Art Gallery,

                                               Subiaco, Perth, WA

   

2012                                        Arq Designs,

Subiaco, Perth, WA

Seven commissions for private clients

                                                                                   

2011                                        P. and M. Roland

                                                Waterman’s Beach, Western Australia

          150cm x 60cm mixed media on board

          140cm x 60cm mixed media on board

          180cm x 70cm mixed media on board

         

2010                                        G. Wolsley

                                                Hillarys, Western Australia

          2m x 70cm mixed media on board

 

2009                                        Gallery 360

                                                Subiaco, Western Australia

          3 x mixed media on board

 

2009                                        Deborah H

                                                Mandurah, Western Australia

          1.5m x 70cm mixed media on board

 

2009                                        Nash Clavey Lawyers

                                                Mandurah, Western Australia

          3 x mixed media on canvas

 

2009                                       The Sebel Hotel, Mirvac Pty Ltd

                                               Mandurah, WA

                                               Mixed media painting, diptych for reception area 480cmx 120cm                                                                             

 

2009                                        The Sebel Hotel, Mirvac Pty Ltd

                                               Mandurah, Western Australia

116 mixed media paintings on board for each hotel room, and upstairs apartments

 

2008                                        Catherine Bastow

                                                Mandurah, Western Australia

          145cm x 175cm oil on canvas painting

 

2008                                        Hogg’s Breath Café

                                                Rockingham, Western Australia

          4 x mosaics

          3 @ 2.4m x 1.2m

          1 @ 5m x 2m

           Oil on canvas

 

 

2006                                        Hogg’s Breath Café

                                                Mandurah, Western Australia

          3m x 1.5m oil on canvas

          6 x panels @ 1m x 7m          

 

2004                                        Dwellingup Gallery

                                                Dwellingup, Western Australia

5 x commissioned paintings resulting from solo exhibition

                                     

2003                                        Ms Katherine Pascoe

                                                Dwellingup, Western Australia

          1.5m x 75cm oil on canvas

 

2003                                        Mandurah Christian Life Centre

                                                Mandurah, Western Australia

          Large mural

 

2003                                        G & P Payne

                                                Pinjarra, Western Australia

          1.5m x 1.5m oil on canvas

 

2002                                        P & S Ayres

                                                Mandurah, Western Australia

          1.3m x 1.3m acrylic on canvas

 

2002                                        M & M Stewart

                                                Perth, Western Australia

          1 x acrylic and ball clay painting

 

2001                                        Perth International Hotel, Perth, WA

                                                Murals in foyer and bar area

 

1999 - 2001                             Academy of Dance

                                                Joondalup, Western Australia

          Murals

 

1999                                        Joondalup City Church

                                                Joondalup, Western Australia

          5 x 1.8m x 1.8m mixed media on canvas

 

1998                                        Joondalup City Church

                                                Joondalup, Western Australia

          3 x 1m x 6m banners

 

1998                                        D & S Stewart

                                                Perth, Western Australia

          3 x 100cm x 100cm mixed media paintings

 

1994 - Present                        Amazing Murals

                                                Mandurah, Western Australia

                                                Proprietor

Mural and decorating service for private and commercial

 

1990                                       Zambezi River Steakhouse

          Extensive murals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBITIONS

 

 

2024                                       QUIDDITY solo exhibition

                                               Lost Eden Creative Space, Dwellingup WA

2024                                       Art Extraordinaire group exhibition

                                               Catholic College, Bunbury, WA

                                               2 x 93cm x 93cm mixed media paintings

 

2023                                       Plein Air Down Under group exhibition

                                               Mandurah Alcoa Art Gallery, Mandurah WA

                                               WINNER of Quick Draw competition

 

2023                                       High Resolution solo exhibition

                                               Gallows Gallery, Mosman Park, Perth, WA

                                               20 mixed media works on panel

 

2023                                       Art Extraordinaire group exhibition

                                               Catholic College, Bunbury, WA

                                               2 x 80cm x 80cm mixed media on panel

 

2023                                       Peel Open Studios, Gallery Zibah

                                               Mandurah, WA

 

2022                                       Spirit of Landscape, group invitational

                                               Alcoa Mandurah Art Gallery, Mandurah, WA

                                               2 x 100cm x 100cm mixed media on panel

 

2022                                       Art Extraordinaire, group exhibition

                                               Catholic College, Bunbury, WA

                                               3 x 60cm x 60cm mixed media on panel

 

2022                                       Belmont Art Award group exhibition

                                               Glass House, Belmont, Perth, WA

                                               100cm x 100cm mixed media on panel

 

2022                                       Peel Open Studio Exhibition

                                               Painting 100cm x 100cm

 

2021                                       Gallows Gallery

                                               Christmas Exhibition

                                               6 paintings

 

2021                                       Mandurah Alcoa Art Gallery, WA

                                               INNOVATION, solo exhibition

                                               22 works on panel

 

2021                                       Belmont Art Award, Perth, WA

                                               Group exhibition

                                               1 work 100cm x 100cm, acrylic on panel

 

2021                                       Peel Open Studios, WA

                                               Gallery Zibah, Mandurah, WA

 

2021                                       CASM, Mandurah, WA

                                               Portrait Group exhibition

                                               8 works, acrylic and oil on panel

 

2020                                       Lost Eden, Dwellingup, WA

                                               AWAKENING, Solo exhibition

                                               20 works on panel

 

2019                                       Mandurah Alcoa Art Gallery, WA

                                               2 major works for invitational plein air exhibition

                                               2200cm x 85cm, acrylic on board

 

2019                                       Plein Air Down Under, Mandurah, WA

                                               WINNER of Quick Draw

                                               45cm x 25cm, oil on canvas

                                             

2019                                       Vivid Art Gallery, Mandurah, WA

                                               International Plein Air Festival

                                               3 works oil on board, 40cm x 20cm

                                                                                      

2019                                       Gallery Aura, Kojonup,WA

                                               Feature artist for South West Art Trail

                                               7 works, acrylic, oil on panel

 

2019                                       Berry Art, online gallery

                                               Artist of the Month

 

2019                                       Vivid Art Gallery

                                               Plein Air Group Exhibition

                                               6 works, oil on panel

                                               Mandurah, WA

 

2018                                       Mandjar Art Award

                                               Mandurah Alcoa Art Gallery

                                              1 work 120cm x 80cm, mixed media on panel

                                              

 

2018                                       Plein Air Group Exhibition

                                               Mandurah Alcoa Art Gallery

                                               Mandurah, WA

 

 

2018                                       Forest Heritage Centre, Dwellingup, WA

                                               Solo exhibition

                                               19 Works, acrylic and oil on panel

                               

 

                                              

2018                                       Boranup Gallery

                                               Artist in residence, Art Trail

                                               Margaret River, WA

 

2017                                       A&A Art Display

                                               4/30 Ardross Street, Applecross, WA

                                               Group exhibition

                                              

 

2017                                       Plein Air Group Exhibition

                                               Mandurah Alcoa Art Gallery, Mandurah, WA

                                               3 works, oil on board

 

2017                                       Plein Air Competition,

                                               Crab Fest, Mandurah, WA

 

2017                                       Mandjar Art Award

                                               Mandurah Alcoa Art Gallery, WA

                                               Group exhibition

                                               140cm x 110cm

                                               Marri wood panels, wood stain, metal, oil on panel

 

2016                                       Cossack Art Award

                                               Group exhibition

                                               1 work 140cm x 110cm ink on panel

                                               Roebourne, WA

 

2016                                       Boranup Gallery, Margaret River

                                               Artist in residence

                                               12 works, oil on canvas

 

2016                                       Mandjar Art Award

                                               Group exhibition

                                               Mandurah Alcoa Art Gallery WA

                                               Group Exhibition

 

2016                                       Plein Air Competition

                                               Crab Fest, Mandurah, WA

                                               Group Exhibition

 

2016                                       Edenvale House

                                               PLEIN AIR ADVENTURES

                                               Pinjarra, WA

                                               Group Exhibition

 

                                      

2015                                       Cossack Art Award, Roebourne, WA

                                               Group exhibition

                                               1 work 140cm x 100cm, ink on panel

 

2015                                       Plein Air Competition

                                               Group Exhibition

                                               Mandjar Square, Mandurah WA

 

2015                                       Crab Fest, Mandurah, WA

                                               Group Exhibition

 

2015                                       Mandjar Art Award

                                               Mandurah Alcoa Art Gallery, WA

                                               Group Exhibition

                                               1 work 120cm x 100cm, acrylic on panel

 

2015                                       A&A Gallery

                                               THE BEAUTY OF NATURE

                                               Claremont, Perth, WA

                                               Group Exhibition

                                               5 works, mixed media on canvas

 

2015                                       A&A Gallery, Subiaco, Perth, WA

                                               WIND BENEATH MY WINGS

                                               Solo Exhibition

                                               15 works

 

2015                                       Boranup Gallery

                                               Margaret River, WA

                                               Artist-in-Residence

                                              

 

2014                                       Cossack Art Award, Roebourne, WA

                                               Group exhibition

                                               140cm x 120cm, mixed media on board

 

2014                                       Mandjar Art Award

                                               Mandurah Alcoa Art Gallery,

                                               Mandurah, WA

                                               Group Exhibition

 

2014                                       Plein Air Competition

                                               Mandurah, WA

                                               Group Exhibition

 

2014                                       Boranup Gallery

                                                Margaret River, WA

                                                Artist-in-Residence

                                                April

 

2014                                       Studio 281

                                               CREATIVE EMOTIVE

                                               Maylands, Perth, WA

                                               Group Exhibition

 

2014                                        INQB8 Contemporary Art Space, Mandurah, WA

                                                FOUND – ONCE I WAS LOST

                                                Solo exhibition, 23 works

 

2013                                       Plein Air Competition

                                               WINNER, Quick draw competition

                                               Mandurah, WA

                                               Group Exhibition

                                              

2013                                        Melbourne Art Fair

                                                Royal Exhibition Centre

                                                Group Exhibition

                                                August

 

2013                                        Mandjar Art Award

                                                Mandurah Alcoa Art Gallery

                                                Group Exhibition

 

2013                                        Gallery 281

                                                IMPETUOUS

                                                Maylands, Perth

                                                Solo Exhibition

                                                June to July

 

2013                                       Boranup Art Gallery

                                                Margaret River, Western Australia

                                                Artist-In-Residence

 

2012

                                               Mandjar Art Award

                                               Mandurah Alcoa Art Gallery

                                               Group Exhibition

 

2012                           

                                               Boranup Art Gallery

                                                Margaret River, Western Australia

          Solo exhibition

 

2011                                        INQB8 Contemporary Art Space

                                                HEAVY METAL

                                                Mandurah, Western Australia

          Solo exhibition

 

2011                                        100th Gallery

                                                Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

          Invitational group exhibition

 

2011                                        Kulcha Multicultural Centre

                                                SONG OF ZAMBEZI

                                                Fremantle, Western Australia

          Solo exhibition

 

2011                                        INCUB8 Contemporary Art Space

                                                Mandurah, Western Australia

          Invitational group exhibition

 

2011                                        Arq Design Gallery

                                                NO LIMITS

                                                Subiaco, Western Australia

          Solo exhibition

 

2011                                        Melbourne Art Fair

                                                Melbourne,Victoria, Australia

          Group exhibition

 

2011                                        Mandjar Art Award

                                                Mandurah Alcoa Art Gallery, Western Australia

          Group exhibition

 

2011                                        Boranup Art Gallery

                                                BREAKTHROUGH

                                                Margaret River, Western Australia

          Solo exhibition

 

2010                                        Mandjar Art Award

                                                Mandurah Alcoa Art Gallery, Western Australia

          Group exhibition

 

2009                                        Mandjar Art Award

                                                Mandurah Alcoa Art Gallery, Western Australia

          Group exhibition

 

2007                                        Mandjar Art Award

                                                Mandurah Alcoa Art Gallery, Western Australia

          Joint exhibition

 

2007                                        Arc Design and Architecture

                                                Osborne Park, Western Australia

          Solo exhibition

 

2006                                        Stafford Studios

                                                Cottesloe, Western Australia

                                                MOTIVATION

          Solo exhibition

 

2006                                        Mandjar Art Award

                                                Mandurah Alcoa Art Gallery, Western Australia

          Joint exhibition

 

2005                                        Mandurah Art Gallery

                                                Mandurah Alcoa Art Gallery, Western Australia

                                                THE THIRD OEUVRE

          Solo exhibition

 

2005                                        Mandjar Art Award

                                                Mandurah, Western Australia

          Group exhibition

 

 

2005                                        Mandurah Gates Resort

                                                Mandurah, WA

                                                Solo Exhibition

 

 

2004                                        Mandurah Arts Council

                                                Mandurah, Western Australia

          Group exhibition

 

2004                                        Dwellingup Gallery

                                                Dwellingup, Western Australia

                                                EMERGENCE

          Solo exhibition

 

2003                                        Dwellingup Gallery

                                                Dwellingup, Western Australia

          Group exhibition

 

2003                                        Two Rivers – Publication

                                                Mandurah, Western Australia

          Reproduction of my work in print

 

2002                                        Profile Art Gallery

                                                Mandurah, Western Australia

          Group exhibition

 

1997                                        Wanneroo Art Society

                                                Hillarys, Western Australia

          Group exhibition

 

 

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

 

2023                                       Art2Life Academy

                                               Online art development

                                               Nicholas Wilton, Instructor, CA, USA

 

2022                                       Art2LifeSpark online

                                               Nicholas Wilton, Instructor, CA, USA

 

2022                                       Starts online

                                               Judy Woods, Instructor, NZ

 

2021                                       Maylands Boat Yard Workshop, Perth WA

                                               Leon Holmes, Instructor

                                               Plein Air workshop

 

2020                                       SPARKArt2Life art course online

 

                                               Nicholas Wilton, Instructor, CA, USA

 

2019                                       Art2Life online art course online

                                               Nicholas Wilton, Instructor, CA, USA

 

2018                                       Plein Air Masterclass, 12 months

                                               Leon Holmes, Instructor

                                               Mandurah, WA

 

2014 - 2015                            Landmark International

                                               Landmark Forum plus

                                               Advanced Communications Course

                                               Perth, WA

                                              

 

2001 - 2003                             Bachelor of Arts Degree – Visual Arts

                                                Edith Cowan University, Perth

 

1994                                        Advanced Certificate - Marbling

                                                Painters & Plumbers Association, Perth

 

1994                                        Certificate in Private Business

                                                N.E.I.S. Joondalup, Perth

 

1990                                        Preliminary Certificate of Art & Design

                                                TAFE Carine, Perth

 

1975                                        Certificate of Secretarial Studies

                                                Polytechnic Harare, Zimbabwe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES

 

Leon Holmes

Leon Holmes Fine Art

Mobile: 0401034674

Email: leon@leonholmesart.com.au

 

James Walker

Curator and Arts Facilitator,

Mandurah Alcoa Art Gallery, WA

Mobile: 0408894973

Email: james.walker@mpac.com.au

 

Lynette Millar

Rockingham Well Ministries, Rockingham WA

Facilitator

Mobile: 0412408041

Email: rockinghamwell@gmail.com

 



SURGE - diptych 140cm x 140cm - fireburned bitumen, resin and acryic on board.jpg

my design process

Nature - my inspiration for creation

On my many walks and bike rides along the estuary, my mind is frequently drawn away into the creative processes of how best to interpret the plethora of images which present themselves to me.

A bore water blasted concrete pathway under my feet pitted with rusty oranges and tones of mottled grey, the rhythmic lines of tidal silt abandoned on the shore by a receding river or the dancing light sparkling on the estuary waters at sunset are just some inspirational themes for the making of art.


Design

I could describe my art practice as process driven, to a certain degree. My fascination with texture and surface technique is tireless. By utilizing certain materials which repel one another, wonderful organic nuances are created, thus triggering off more endless possibilities to the making of art.

My enthusiasm is difficult to contain when I discover a twisted chunk of discarded washing machine and how rust has bled into the white metal. A beautiful process of decay.

Research

My mind races back to my studio where overstuffed shelves of tubs, tins, and bottles of paint-like materials implore to be spilled, poured, dripped and splattered onto an available surface. I begin the creative process of determining which of these materials would best describe the beautiful patinas of the surface which nature manifests itself to the observant artist.

Playing with bitumen, tree resins, shellac, industrial enamels, oxides, automotive glazes, found pieces of metal, copper wire, and wood stain holds far more appeal for me than normal store bought paint.

Create

I make my paintings on a large workbench outside my studio in a sheltered lean-to, off the wall of a large shed in my back yard. That’s where I’m most happy, where the local, green parrots come regularly for their handful of almonds, and I can watch, and listen to, the chatter and calls of the birds who’ve made their homes in the tall trees on the property.

Being out in the fresh air gives me a great sense of peace and restfulness, maximising productivity.

Winter pushes me into the studio where the creative process continues and where I utilise a large easle.