Untitled Document
Sands of Gallipoli - Official Site
About Sands
The Collections Media Centre Marketing & Business Centre Keeping The Spirit Alive Community Forum

Drew Harrison

Drew Harrison is a practicing artist based in Adelaide, South Australia. His formal illustrative training has provided a solid background for his evolution into contemporary artist. Acrylic paint is Drew's medium of choice and a material that he has adeptly mastered for creating a wide range of works.

Early projects in the field of illustration included several publications such as the children's book A Horse and More. An interest in flight led to a successful period of detailed aviation painting and regular prizes in the Royal Australian Air Force Heritage Awards. These works have since become part of the Service's permanent collection. With an eye for the vast Australian sky, his observational landscapes of the Adelaide Hills are a continued exploration of light, shade and vivid hues. Similarly, these traits are noticeable in Drew's wildlife paintings whereby the very essence of a subject is often manipulated and twisted to a new level. He has found success in all of these fields as either a prize winner or finalist in national competitions. Public acclaim has also been achieved with people's choice awards and highly commended paintings.

Colour, shape, form and texture remain strong hallmarks of his work, however these elements have recently been coupled with a unique and often satirical conceptualisation of 21st century living. In narrative based, expansive series such as Project Icarus, Chasing American Dreams, and the forthcoming Chaos Theories, darker themes have been explored using contemplative and realist subject matter and drawing on influence from pop art. Central to each work is an examination of humanity although this is often represented subliminally via mechanical and inanimate objects.

The current foray into military art represents a culmination of Drew's varied experience across multiple artistic techniques. On return to the field of fine art he has been able to draw influence from a pedigree of artists within this specialised area. However, there remains a characteristically fresh and unique atmosphere within each painting as well as his meticulous eye for historical detail and accuracy.

Drew has exhibited in several group exhibitions and his paintings are represented in private collections. He is also an experienced art tutor who has gained a reputation for effectively communicating and demonstrating practical art knowledge for many years.