METKA SKROBAR

Metka Škrobar’s nature-inspired artworks are intertwined with waves of selected elements and forceful colours. Her hand is guided by her temperament, which in the storming gestures draws the details and in coloured planes threads the essence. Ideas are followed by composition which, even when momentarily untidy, is thoughtfully stressed with light effects and pouring colours.

Alenka Černelič Krošelj, Lecturer of Art History, Ethnologist and Cultural Anthropologist 

 Metka Skrobar is an Australian Artist based in South East Queensland and has been painting professionally since 1982. Metka is an established Watercolourist and very popular Art Tutor who travels throughout Australia conducting regular workshops.

With her love for ‘The Outback’ she frequents the remotest parts of Australia to explore, discover and collate ideas which serve as an inspiration for her artworks.

Originally from Slovenia, Metka, often travels to Europe where she has held a solo exhibition in her home town, Maribor, and also participated in several highly regarded group exhibitions in Slovenia, Italy and Austria. Metka spent time studying under Europe’s Master Watercolourist, France Slana.

Amidst an impressive and industrious career Metka’s Curriculum Vitae reflects her professional attitude and her ability to appeal to a wide audience.

Metka resides and works on the Gold Coast in South-East Queensland. Since she started painting full time in 1982, she has taken part in many art workshops and study tours both in Australia and Europe.
Working mainly in watercolour and more recently in acrylic and mixed media, Metka shows a versatile and subtle technique in a neo-impressionist style, often depicting the natural environment, with just a touch of fantasy.
“In my upbringing, my life experiences, education and motivational influences all work to produce the person we are.
I do believe that in some of my current work and the work of the past 20 years or so there is evidence of my Slovenian heritage.
I have had many experiences while travelling to my homeland, not only for study purposes, but also to record and collate new ideas and inspirations for a new body of work which I am planning to exhibit at the Slovenska Bistrica Gallery and Museum in the next year or so. Each time I travel “home” I am increasingly inspired by the countryside and its people who share my cultural heritage.”
“With convincing depth and space and a very attractive play on light, Metka is always quick to exploit the lyrical and dramatic qualities of her medium. She presents the viewer with seductive paintings; an escapist diversion of colour and imagination.”
In recent years Metka has traveled to Europe frequently, where she has studied privately with France Slana one of Europe’s master watercolourists. She has participated in selected group exhibitions in Slovenia, Italy, and Austria. She has also held a solo exhibition in her hometown of Maribor in Slovenia.
To date Metka has  held twenty solo exhibitions and has her work represented in corporate and private collections and major galleries throughout the eastern states of Australia and nationally in Qantas Club Lounges.

Metka’s own words:
“The origins of my creativity derive from my daily observations and experiences, together with an innate desire to paint what moves me and to entice the viewer to willingly participate in the enjoyment of art.” 

Art Studies
1970     Certificate of Education, Melbourne, Victoria
1978     Diploma of Education, University of Southern Queensland
1989 – 1993  Professional Development at
University of Southern Queensland
1996     Arts Queensland Grant for Professional Development
1996     Private Studies: Master Watercolourist, France Slana, Slovenia
2000     Private Studies: Master Watercolourist, France Slana, Slovenia
Awards and Acquisitions
2003 Trinity Lutheran College, Acquisition Prize, Qld
2002 Bundaberg Arts Festival, People’s Choice Award, Qld
2001 Bundaberg Arts Festival, First Prize Watercolour, Acquisitive, Qld
2001 Bundaberg Arts Festival, First Prize Overall, Acquisitive, Qld
2000 Currumbin Festival of Arts, First Prize, Qld
1999 Marymount Art Exhibition, First Prize, Qld
1998 Port Macquarie Award, Highly Commended, NSW
1997 Currumbin Festival of Arts, First Prize, Qld
1996 Martin Hanson Memorial Art Exhibition, Public Choice, Qld
1995 Festival on the Bay, Moreton College, Highly Commended, Qld
1994 Inaugural Australian International Miniature Art Exhibition
Public Choice, Qld
1994 Currumbin Festival of Arts, First Prize, Qld
1994 Slovenian Association Art Exhibition, First Prize, Vic
1993 Currumbin Festival of Arts, Second Prize and Highly Commended, Qld
1990 Laidley Shire Cultural Association, Second Prize, Qld
1987 Tweed Art Show, Second Prize, NSW
1986 Nerang Festival of Arts, Second Prize and Highly Commended, Qld
1984 Queensland Art Society Annual Exhibition, Second Prize and
Highly Commended, Qld
1983 Trinity Art Show, Highly Commended, Qld
1982 Marymount College Art Show, Highly Commended, Qld
Solo Exhibitions
2009 CWM Galleries, Woollahra, NSW
2008 Quilpie Regional Gallery, Quilpie, Qld
2002 Convent Gallery, Daylesford, Vic
2001 Grand View Fine Art Gallery, Cleveland, Qld
2000 Sylvannia Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1998 Everglades Gallery, Port Macquarie, NSW
1997 Eltham Gallery, Melbourne, Vic
1996 Red Hill Gallery, Brisbane, Qld
1996 Warwick Regional Gallery, Warwick, Qld
1995 Downs Gallery, Toowoomba, Qld
1994 Red Hill Gallery, Brisbane, Qld
1994 Crafters Gallery, Mt Tamborine, Qld
1993 Red Hill Gallery, Brisbane, Qld
1992 Everglades Gallery, Port Macquarie, NSW
1992 ANA Hotel, Gold Coast, Qld
1992 Crafters Gallery, Mt Tamborine, Qld
1992 McWhirters Artspace, Brisbane, Qld
1990 Hyatt Hotel, Canberra, ACT
1990 ANA Hotel, Gold Coast, Qld
1989 Eltham Gallery, Melbourne, Vic
1988 Visions Gallery, Gold Coast, Qld
1987 Central Bank, Maribor, Slovenia
Selected Group Exhibitions
2005 “Spirit of the Outback”, Winton, Qld
2001 Red Hill Gallery, Brisbane, Qld
1998 Sylvannia Galleries, Sydney, NSW
1997 Martin Hanson Memorial Art Exhibition, Gladstone Regional Gallery, Qld
1997 Hibiscus Gallery, Burnie, Tas
1996 Brooklet House, Byron Bay, NSW
1996 Burnie Regional Art Gallery, Tas
1996 Framed Darwin Gallery, Darwin, NT
1996 National Museum of Art, Ljubljana, Slovenia
1996 Central Gallery, Maribor, Slovenia
1996 Doljenska Gallery, Slovenia
1996 Carinthia Gallery, Austria
1996 Central Gallery, Trieste, Italy
1996 Red Hill Gallery, Brisbane, Qld
1995 Albert Shire Regional Gallery, Nerang, Qld
1994 Centre Gallery, Gold Coast, Qld
1994 Exhibition of Slovenian Artists, Melbourne, Vic
1994 Stanthorpe Regional Gallery, Stanthorpe, Qld
1992 Australian Society of Miniature Art, Hobart, Tas
1992 Crafters Gallery, Mt Tamborine, Qld
1991 Australian Guild of Realist Artists, Mildura, Vic
1991 Bookplate and Artist’s Book Exhibition,
McWhirters Artspace, Brisbane, Qld
1991 Jabiru Gallery, Sanctuary Cove, Qld
1991 McWhirters Artspace, Brisbane, Qld
1990 Australian Society of Miniature Art, Darwin, NT
1990 Australian Guild of Realist Artists, Melbourne, Vic
1990 Jabiru Gallery, Sanctuary Cove, Qld
1990 Exhibition of Slovenian Artists, Melbourne, Vic
1990 Aberdare Art Prize, Ipswich City Gallery, Qld
1989 National Women’s Exhibition, Mezzanine Gallery, Brisbane, Qld
1988 Centre Gallery, Gold Coast, Qld
1988 Exhibition of Slovenian Artists, Melbourne, Vic
1988 Electrokovina Exhibition, Maribor, Slovenia
1988 International Exhibition, Ljubljana, Slovenia
1987 Electrokovina Exhibition, Maribor, Slovenia
Collections
Gold Coast City Art Gallery Collection, Gold Coast, Qld
James Hardie Collection of Australian Art, State Library of Qld
Prime Minister’s Office, Brisbane, Qld
Embassy of Slovenia, Canberra, ACT
Treasury Casino, Brisbane, Qld
ANA Hotels, Gold Coast, Qld and Tokyo, Japan
Pioneer Concrete, Brisbane, Qld
Royal Pines International Hotel, Gold Coast, Qld
Slovenian Association, Melbourne, Vic
Hyatt Hotel, Canberra, ACT
Twin Towns Services Club, Tweed Heads, NSW
Private School Collections, Qld and Vic
Commissions
Treasury Casino, Brisbane, Qld
ANA Hotels, Gold Coast and Tokyo
Pioneer Concrete, Brisbane, Qld
Hilton Hotel, Brisbane, Qld
Royal Pines International Hotel, Gold Coast, Qld
Artist in Residence
2004 – 2008 Charles Sturt University,
“Mitchell School of Arts”, Bathurst, NSW
2002 Bundaberg Art Society, Qld
2002 Australian Guild of Artists, Brisbane, Qld
2001 – 2004 Clifton Art Workshops, Qld
1998 Nanango Art Society, Qld
1996 Warwick Regional Gallery, Qld
1991 Northern Mackay State High School, Qld
1986 – 1987 Guardian Angels Private School, Southport, Qld
Art Publications
1994     “James Hardie Collection of Australian Art”, State Library of Queensland
1991     “A Dictionary of Women Artists of Australia”, Max Germaine, Craftsman House
1991     “The Rainforest”, Limited Edition Book by Metka, State Library of Queensland, Handmade Books by Australian Artists
1990     “Artists & Galleries of Australia”, Max Germaine, Craftsman House
1987     Art Curriculum for Queensland Catholic Education Department by Metka Skrobar

   Web pages

Biography

Curricullum  Vitae

Artnet

Metka in Tuscany

Photo Gallery

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Video Gallery