We are all made from the things we have carried with us — memories, places, people, seasons of joy and moments that have changed us.
In She Wears Her Story, these fragments become part of the woman herself. Layers of patterned and vintage-inspired collage are woven through her flowing cloak, creating a patchwork of colour, memory and experience. Look closely and small details begin to emerge — glimpses of imagery almost hidden within the folds, waiting to be discovered.
The painting explores one of the themes I return to again and again in my work: the stories women carry, and the quiet strength that comes from having lived them.
Richly layered with oil paint, collage and touches of gold, this is a painting designed to reveal itself slowly. From across the room, she has presence and drama; up close, there is an entirely different world within the details.
She Wears Her Story was awarded the People’s Choice Award at the 2026 Rotary Club of Hobart Art Show, selected from an exhibition of more than 400 artworks — a particularly meaningful honour for a painting that is, at its heart, about the beauty of an individual story.
