Gemma Donnellan
Professional Artist
Creative Coach
Connector

background info

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Gemma Donnellan has been a practicing artist for 20 years, formally trained in Visual Arts at RMIT.  Gemma has been a member of Swan Street Studios in excess of 8 years, which has seen her practice expand & develop.  She has had 6 solo exhibitions, been a feature artist and a part of many group shows.  Gemma also gives talks to primary school children with a focus on art & writing.

Gemma held her first solo exhibition of 18 works called ‘First’ in 2003 at the Level 11 Gallery, Flinders Lane.  ‘My Magnolias’ from this exhibition is part of the Peter MacCallum Hospital Collection.  Her painting ‘Taller Poppies’ was pre-selected for the prestigious Cromwell’s Art Prize in Sydney, then sold at auction. 

In 2003 Gemma undertook ‘Designs in Drawing’ course at RMIT University.  She then completed her diploma of Visual Arts at RMIT in 2005, majoring in printmaking & painting.

Gemma exhibited her printmaking series ‘Breathe’ at Art Holes Gallery in 2005.  Also a printmaking series, ‘Chandeliers’ was Gemma’s second solo exhibition at Carlow House.  In addition to her fine art she has designed a line of children’s giftware for interior design boutique Moss Melbourne.

Gemma's successful 2014 solo exhibition ‘Perfume' saw paintings delivered to Melbourne collectors including fashion icon Adele Palmer.  February 2015 saw the collaboration between Gemma Donnellan & Christine Cropley in 'Aphrodisiac Abstraction', held in an Art Deco Pop Up Gallery in North Melbourne. 

Gemma showcased part of her perfume series at the 'Sagra Salon Show' June - Aug 2015, Sagra Gallery Malvern.  Gemma's perfume paintings were also showcased in the Toorak Village Art Walk in 2015.

2016 saw Gemma make her first entry into the infamous Archibald Portraiture Prize, although she did not make the final selection, her portrait 'Amelina' of Master Perfumer Emma J. Leah was shown on National television. 

Gemma was approached by US clothing company VIDA to launch her first fashion collection using her perfume bottle paintings, which is currently available on-line. 

2017 Gemma was honoured to be the Feature Artist at the 'Roberts McCubbin Artshow', and was also invited to take part in the Canterbury Artshow.

For the month of June in 2018 Gemma held her 6th solo exhibition at ‘Riveresque’ in Warrandyte.  Gemma again exhibited in the Canterbury Artshow.

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As a response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Gemma set up ‘Art-19’ a fundraising initiative, throughout August September and October of 2020.  Gemma auctioned 4 artworks with all proceeds going to Berry Street to support children, young people and families in severe poverty and crisis.  Gemma designed 2 posters for the staff at St Vincent's hospital through an initiative called 'The Thankyou Posters': Expressions of heARTfelt thanks from the arts community to the staff at St Vincent's.

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Leonard Joel Auction house exhibited and sold Gemma's artworks in February 2021.  St Vincents Hospital has acquired 'A New Beginning' soon to be on public display in the entrance foyer of ‘Berengarra’ their new state of the art aged care facility located in Kew and use this image on their bereavement cards. 

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Before following her artist vocation, Gemma had a corporate background working Telstra, KPMG, ANZ and Kraft Foods. Based in London for 2 years she travelled Europe & Asia.  Gemma also has a long history with Architecture beginning her working life with Spowers Architects and many years later with ARM Architects, as Executive Assistant to Ian McDougall.  

Gemma lives in Melbourne with her husband, Architect Chris Hose Director of Williams Ross Architects, and their sixteen year old, daughter Estelle.