Gerald Bain-King
I am in awe of the wonders of art. Especially its capacity to touch lives, speak in so many voices about so many diverse and unspoken things. As it speaks, art is opening us to reflection and empathy - that in other contexts might promote misunderstanding, judgement or argument. And all this happens through this coming together of colours, forms and spaces in voices that touch our subconscious souls. And, mostly, these are the things in our lives that are unrecognised – or have been forgotten - unquantifiable things – that cannot pass through the so-called normal means of communication.
The artwork sits in its own world – with its own climate and reality, as it awaits the open-minded viewer.
So, as I paint, I search for this unspoken world. A reality that I only half know about. It is not my normal. In fact, I didn’t know it existed until I began to paint. The process of painting takes me there through what I think of as a form of conversation. And I can only liken my creative process to a conversation because, for me, conversation is a helpful metaphor. This is because a rich conversation is not something we can control – but enter in. And it takes us on a journey. It needs a partner. The painting is that partner for me.
Like all good conversations, one must be attentive and listen (or in my case, see) what is being said. And, like most discourses it begins a little haltingly – but slowly, overtime, like with the people we meet and get to know, I must put aside preconceptions and learn about the artwork that is emerging.
Like people, some of my artworks are difficult to make sense of. I have developed processes that prompt and help the images emerge and compositions unfold. As part of this process, I am very attracted to the interplay between composition and image-making - and value the way this interaction can create evocative and expressive environments. But as part of this I always need the human image and I recognise for some, that can be difficult.
Although my works have a natural expressionistic footprint, I am influenced by a diverse range of artists – Rothko, Rembrandt, Kiefer, Beckman, Williams, Morandi, Pollock and Cezanne to name a few. All appeal to me, not because of subject matter or style, but the way their process of art making uncovers and elevates their thinking and their feeling.
Click here for artwork by Gerald Bain-King
Exhibitions
solo
2025 In Plain Sight - Tacit Art, Melbourne
1985 Gerald Bain-King - Pinacothecea Gallery, Melbourne
group
2025 Summer Salon - Tacit Art, Melbourne
1982 Warrnambool Art Prize
Group Exhibition - Sherwood Gallery, Warrnambool
1981 Group Exhibition - Sherwood Gallery, Warrnambool
Awards
2005 Master Of Education - University of Melbourne
2001 Post Graduate Diploma in Student Welfare - University of Melbourne
1986 Diploma of Education (Secondary) - Institute of Catholic Education (now Australian Catholic University)
1978 Diploma of Art & Design (Fine Art) - Clayton Institute of Technology (now Monash University)
2001 Harold Cohen Prize - University of Melbourne, most outstanding Post Graduate student
1982 Warrnambool Art Prize - Winner
1978 Elected President - Fine Art Society, Clayton Institute of Technology
Art-based employment
1990/92 Art Method Lecturer - Australian Catholic University, Melbourne
1987/96 Teacher of Art - Nazareth College, Melbourne
1980/82 Tutor & Lecturer (Painting & Drawing) - Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education
In addition to art-based education, Gerald Bain-King has been a Principal, Deputy Principal and Year Co-ordinator in Victorian schools and has undertaken studies of education systems in the US, India and South America