brendan lakin paint(er) design(er) artist

Qualifications

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting, RMIT

Certified OH&S (Green Card) holder

Work History

Currently working as a freelance artist in my studio in Redfern, Sydney.

The recent development of my concepts and imagery has felt rather logical. “The Wall” (2009) commemorated the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The work consisted almost entirely of images of Berlin streetscapes and of course, heavily featured, were images of the Berlin Wall itself.

The ‘Work’ Series (2010) was focusing more on the idea of structure and construction. And Sydney certainly feels like a city under construction! Apart from the development and construction of new city buildings — which happen every work day in every city — there are also: parks being upgraded; a network of bicycle paths being built throughout the city; and a massive public debate about the cultural “worth” of the proposed designs for a waterfront property development on the edge of our city.

The ‘Work’ Series was only the beginning of this project. A solo exhibition of major works from this series will be shown at a later date.

My current work also includes many commissions for oil paintings and designs (See commissions), as well as murals and painted finishes (See commercial work).

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you would like to be added to my mailing list.

Career highlights

Sydney Harbour Paint Company, Los Angeles
Colour Technician

The Mean Fiddler Hotel, Sydney, Australia
Senior Decorator
Painting the 21 rooms of The Mean Fiddler Irish Bar

Freelance Background Animation Artist
Clients included: The Australian Children’s Television Foundation, Freerange Animation Studio (Dr Karl Kruszelnicki’s ‘Great Moments In Science’ series), Kraft Cheese, Bundaberg Rum.

Porters Original Paints, Sydney
Colour Technician
Facilitator — ‘Brush-Ups’ Course in the application and specifications of all Porters Original Paints products.

Funky 3d, Sydney
Scenic Artist
Clients include: Mambo, Sydney International Airport, and Sydney Town Hall.

The Colour Course
Coordinator
A six-hour intensive course designed to educate adult students in the use of colour in their home or commercial space.

RMIT, Union Arts
Theatre Coordinator

Raucous Children’s Theatre Company, Melbourne
Artistic Director

Exhibitions

2010

The ‘Work’ Series — with Hugh Ramage
Exhibition of paintings and drawings
The Studio, Sydney

Christmas Show
Art Site, Sydney

2009

The Wall — Solo exhibition of paintings and drawings
The Studio, Sydney

Publishers’ Cup Cricket Art Prize
Touring Sydney, Melbourne, Bowral & Mackay
Wayne Stopped Play
Finalist

2009 Mosman Art Prize, Sydney
Queens Park (A Love Story)
Finalist

2008

2008 Mosman Art Prize, Sydney
34 Landy Street, Horsham
Finalist

FAR-fetched Art Show
By invitation only
Sydney

2007

Sheffer Gallery, Sydney
Souvenirs
Exhibition of paintings

2006

Waverley Art Prize, Sydney
Windmill and View from the hut
Double Finalist, Painting Category

2003

Age communications, Sydney
Inside/Outside
Exhibition of paintings

Liverpool Art Prize, Sydney
Nola
Finalist

Oxford Art Prize 1, Sydney
Finalist

Oxford Art Prize 2, Sydney
Finalist

2002

LIDI, Sydney
Arch
Solo exhibition of paintings

1992

Universal Theatre, Melbourne
Earthed Appliances
Exhibition of paintings

1989

RMIT Union Gallery
Exhibition of paintings, drawings and prints

1987

RMIT Union Gallery
Group Exhibition

1986

Horsham Regional Art Gallery
Victoria
Group Exhibition