Leith O’Malley is a South
Australian visual artist. His work is inspired by Brett Whiteley, Basquiat,
Robert Crumb, Shaun Tan and contemporary art & illustration.
He has studied under renowned Australian artist and film maker George Gittoes, who has won the prestigious Blake and Wynne Prize for visual art and has also held the position of official Australian War Artist.
He has continued to exhibit in various group and solo exhibitions and created the promotional artwork for not only the Adelaide Jazz Festival but also the first “Rio-Havana-New York” Jazz & Latin Festival held in Moscow in late 2004.
In April of this year (2007), Leith was commissioned by New York Festival Productions to provide the promotional artwork for the prestigious Saratoga Jazz Festival. The event featured prominent musicians like George Benson, India Arie, David Sanborn, Al Green, John Scofield and many more.
Clients who have used Leith’s artwork work have included NY Festival Productions, ”Rio-Havana-New York” Jazz Festival (Moscow), Guenette Production Company (Los Angeles) and Le’Mag Magazine (France).
Artist’s Statement
I like to think of my work as
honest and original in its intent, with a fondness for line and figurative
expression.
For me, creating art has always been about self expression and truth…about
producing something relevant and honest…something born out of inspiration and
then fuelled by an enthusiasm and passion to create
something unique and original.
As lyrical as it may seem, I’m simply trying to articulate and express myself through metaphors of colour, tone and surface texture using a subtext of paint, brushstrokes, collage and mark making. I have always received tremendous satisfaction from the act of drawing or watching something materialise on a sheet of paper in front of me. There is something special about this act which draws me back time and time again. I guess that like a musician, creating art can somehow transport you to another world, and for my own part this has become a very addictive but rewarding ritual. I’m curious about where this will lead.
Commissions
BHP AUSTRALIA, ERICSSON FINLAND, FESTICAL PRODUCTIONS NEW YORK, MITSUBISHI MOTORS, UNITED STATES COAST GUARD, BIG DAY OUT PROMOTIONS AUSTRALIA, GUENETTE PRODUCTION COMPANY LOS ANGELES, BHP CIVIL PRODUCTS SYDNEY, UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO, SUPERSONIC RECORDS USA, INFORMATION BRANCH - FEDERAL GOVERNMENT- ONTARIO CANADA, BRISTOL UNIVERSITY-UK, TOKYO ELECTRON ARIZONA INC, REGIONAL AUSTRALIA COMMITTEE, SONICS MUSIC MAGAZINE, MILESTONE MEDIA, TRIPLE J MAGAZINE, DB MAGAZINE.
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EXHIBITIONS & CONTRIBUTION
SmartArtz Gallery 2 Alfred Place South Melbourne Nov/Dec 2007
“SALA Exhibition” Artistic License Gallery 48 Melbourne Street Adelaide SA August 2007
The Quiet Light Speaker - Fountain Gallery Pt Augusta May 5 2007
OneSteel Collection Exhibition UNI SA Gallery Whyalla SA George Gittoes, June Colligan and Leith O’Malley. April 2007
Freihofer Jazz Festival Saratoga New York Promotional Artwork February 2007
Newcastle Jazz Club Promotional Artwork Newcastle NSW February 2007
Caffeine & Colour F Café Group Show Whyalla March 2007
Magazine Feature Excitement Machine Adelaide SA March 2007
Big Day Out Cover Art Db magazine Adelaide SA February 2007
New Art Six Group Exhibition UNI SA Gallery Oct 2006 Whyalla SA
Scotch College Exhibition Adelaide SA July 2006
Whyalla Art Prize 2006 Middleback Theatre Whyalla SA
Ken Orchard Workshop & Exhibition Flinders Ranges Jan. 2006
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Triple J ABC National Radio August 7th 2005
Interview 5AA Radio Adelaide August 7th 2005
“SALA Exhibition” Artistic License Gallery 48 Melbourne Street Adelaide SA July 2005
Whyalla Art Group Group Exhibition WAG Gallery Whyalla SA Jan. 2005
“Jocular, Jovial, Jazz Art” Artistic License Gallery Adelaide SA October 2004
“Three - Art under the Vines exhibition” Spaggs Whyalla, SA March 2004
“Landmarks” Riverland SA October 2003
“Jazz is Art, Art Is Jazz” Durhams Adelaide 2002-3
Bartercard Adelaide Jazz Festival Glenelg 2001 & 2002
“Industrial Relations” 2001 Port Pirie Regional Gallery
South Australian Touring Exhibitions Feature Artist 1999
O’Malley & James “Together and Alone” Memories Lounge. 1998
SA Beyond Festival of Visual Arts 1996
Perceptions: Distance Group Show SA Touring Exhibition 1995
“Red Dust @ Bogart’s” Paintings, Drawings, Prints. Whyalla 1995
Red Dust Exhibition “ Contemporary Art” 1994 Red Dust at Prospect Gallery Adelaide SA 1994
Red Dust Exhibition “Fresh Eyre” 1992 George Gittoes workshop
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