Stephen Trebilcock was born in Montacute in the Adelaide Hills, and spent most of his childhood in the small community of Winkie on the River Murray. His works are strongly influenced by his early years living on a fruit block and his love of gardening. Stephen is a self-taught painter and his approach to painting is strongly based on his drawing skills, developed over years of careful observation and study.

Stephen held his first solo exhibition in 1990 and in 1993 he was awarded a travelling scholarship to Europe, where he completed a course of study at the Slade School of Art in London.  Time spent in Venice also had a great impact on him, and the result of this travel is the classical and timeless appeal that Stephen’s work possesses.

Stephen’s work does not focus on the vast panoramic scenery of the Australian landscape, so often depicted by our painters; his world is more immediate and intimate.  From a childhood surrounded by orchards, it is the introduced European fruits and vegetables and Australian native flora that captures Stephen’s attention.  His images possess a biblical abundance, whilst noting also the imperfections or blemishes that reflect the reality of everyday life.  The attributes of these engaging images are the rich palette, robust forms and textured paintwork that animate his vision.  As a vegetarian and passionate horticulturalist, this is Stephen’s milieu; painting and life are closely intertwined.  In a wider context, his paintings reflect a set of values and a way of life many desire today, a life perhaps of a bygone era which was more approachable and honest.

Stephen continues to paint in his Adelaide Hills studio, working towards exhibitions as well as undertaking selected commissions. Since 1990 he has held numerous solo exhibitions around Australia and overseas. 

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

1990    Hahndorf Art Gallery,     SA
            Hill Smith Gallery,           SA
1992    Hill Smith Gallery,           SA
            Libby Edwards Gallery,  VIC
1993    St Peters Cathedral,      SA
            Libby Edwards Gallery,  VIC
1994    Hill Smith Gallery,           SA
            Hill of Content  Books,   VIC
            Royal Society of Arts,     SA
1995    Yalumba Winery,            SA
            Libby Edwards Gallery,  VIC
            Art House Gallery,          NSW
1996    Art House Gallery,          NSW
            Jan Murphy Gallery,       QLD
            Hill Smith Gallery,           SA
1997    Art House Gallery,          NSW
            Hill Smith Gallery,           SA    
1998    Art House Gallery,          NSW
            Kozminski Galleries,       VIC
1999    Hill Smith Gallery,           SA
2000    Port Jackson Fine Art,    USA
            Art House Gallery,          NSW
2001    Hill Smith Gallery,           SA
2002    Art House Gallery,          NSW
2003    Hill Smith Gallery,           SA
2004    Art House Gallery,          NSW
2005    Hill Smith Gallery,           SA
2006    Lynne Wilton Gallery,    VIC
2007    Hill Smith Gallery,           SA
2008    Hill Smith Gallery,           SA
            Hahndorf Hill Winery,     SA
            Mt Lofty House,             SA
2009    Hill Smith Gallery,           SA

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

‘Australian Artist’ Magazine, Feature Article, 1993, 1996, 2001.
‘The Epicureans’ Kitchen Companion’ Illustrations, 1994.
‘50 Australian Artists’ Volume 1, 1994.
Sydney Morning Herald ‘Good Living’, 1995.
Vogue Entertaining, ‘Food in the Frame’, 1996.
International Artist, 1999.
Home Beautiful, 1999.
Country Style, 1999.
Sydney Morning Herald, 2000, 2004.
SA Life Magazine,V0l 1. No 1. ‘Tasting Australia’ Feature Article, 2003.
Artists Palette, Feature Article, Number 47, 2007.
Adelaide Advertiser Review, February, 2007.
Sunday Mail ‘Home’, Feature Article, February, 2007.
Adelaide Matters, February, 2007.  
 

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