Bridgette McNab is a multidisciplinary artist based in the Central Highlands of Victoria. Her practice spans a range of subject matter that orbit a preoccupation with lifting the veil on perceived realities, both private and public.
Perhaps best known for her strong use of colour and graphic style, McNab’s figurative works search for truth and wisdom through comprehending both the tangible and sensory world. Deeply curious about the idea of what is ‘real’, McNab excavates a wide variety of modern subject matter spanning from hyperreality, performance, surveillance to spirituality. She states that by taking advantage of its slowness as a medium, painting can constitute a means of thinking about and reading images - a paramount activity in modern life.
Education
2008 -2011
Bachelor of Fine Art - Honours in Painting
National Art School, Sydney, Australia
Solo Exhibitions
2020. Love Island, Saint Cloche Gallery, Sydney
2018. A Kiss From A Rose, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
2018. Red, Yellow, Blue, Boom Gallery, Geelong
2017. Mise En Scene, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
Group Exhibitions
2024. Portia Geach Memorial Award, SH Ervin Gallery, Sydney
2022. Grace Cossington Smith Biennial Award, Grace Cossington Smith Gallery, Sydney
2021. Threads, Virtual Exhibition of 10 selected Australian Female Painters
2020. Secret Garden, Saint Cloche Gallery, Sydney
2020. This is Now, Grainger Gallery, Canberra
2019. Paradiso, Saint Cloche Gallery, Sydney
June, Mars Gallery, Melbourne
The Archibald Prize, Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney
Between Something and Nothing, Rubicon ARI, Melbourne
The Waverly Art Prize, Waverly Art School, Sydney
Calleen Art Award, Cowra Regional Art Gallery, Cowra
SBS Portrait Prize, Southern Buoy Studios, Mornington
2018. Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, Semi Finalist, Sydney
Collie Art Prize, Collie Art Gallery, WA
Year of the Dog, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
2017. Tondo, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, Juniper Hall, Sydney
Women, Make Nice, Sydney
Flores et Fructus, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
2016. Textures of Silence, China Heights Gallery, Sydney
Yen Magazine Young Female Artist Award, Gaffa Gallery, Sydney
2015. Selected Works, Ace Hotel, London
2014. The Archibald Prize, Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney
Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, Juniper Hall, Sydney
2013. Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, Juniper Hall, Sydney
2011. Post Graduate Exhibition, National Art School, Sydney
2010. Portia Geach Memorial Award, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney
Residencies
2020. Casa Lu, Mexico City
Awards/ Grants
2019 Highly Commended, Waverly Art Prize, Sydney
2011. Winner, Clitheroe Foundation Honours Scholarship, National Art School, Sydney
Winner, Oxford Art Supplies Prize, Sydney
2010. Winner, William Fletcher Foundation Grant, Sydney
Highly Commended, Waverly Art Prize, Woollahra Art School, Sydney
2009. Winner, FONAS Drawing Prize, National Art School, Sydney
Winner, Blank Canvas Co Painting Prize, National Art School, Sydney
Highly Commended, Glebe Art Show, Glebe Library, Sydney