About

ABOUT

RobertGear was born in Nelson, New Zealand, on April 9, 1957. He was educated at Scotch College and Guildford Grammar School. In 1978 he completed a teaching diploma and in 1981 a Bachelor of Fine Art from Curtin University. In 1983, Robert accepted a teaching position with the Education Department, where he worked both full-time and part-time until his retirement in 2021.

Gear's work as an artist is embedded in the belief that painting offers a means of making sense of the world. His oil paintings explore landscapes, transforming the everyday into spaces of unsettling beauty and existential significance. He seeks to portray landscapes not only as physical spaces but also as vessels of memory, meaning, and emotion, where history and humanity intersect.

Through his landscapes, Gear reflects on personal and collective histories, addressing the challenges of global and social crises. His paintings create dreamlike worlds, inviting viewers to consider their role in shaping the future and our deep connection to the mysteries of life and history.

Gear exhibited at Art Collective WA in 2020 and 2024 and has participated innumerous group exhibitions and national art prizes. His work is represented in both private and institutional collections.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

BA Fine Art Curtin University
Dip Teach Nedlands Secondary Teachers College

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2024
Art Collective WA, Perth

2020
Art Collective WA, Perth

2015
Solo Exhibition Harvison Gallery

2013
Solo Exhibition Harvison Gallery

2012
Solo Exhibition Harvison Gallery

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2026
John Leslie Art Prize, Gippsland Art Gallery, Sale

2026
Alice Prize, Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs

2025
Melville City Art Award

2024
Minnawarra Art Award, Armadale

2024
Urban Narratives: Landscapes of Perth, Council House Gallery

2023
KAAF Prize, The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Gallery, Sydney

2022
KAAF Prize, The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Gallery, Sydney

2022
Mandorla Art Prize, Holmes a Court Gallery, Perth

2021
Kennedy Art Award, RSASA Gallery, Adelaide

2021
Busselton Art Prize, ArtGeo Gallery, Busselto

2020
339 Days - Art Collective WA, Perth

2019
Alternative Archive - Lost Eden Gallery Dwellingup

2019
Perth Royal Landscape Prize, Finalist

2018
Hadley Art Prize for Landscape Painting, Finalist

2018
Albany Art Prize, Finalist

2018
Tattersalls Art Prize for Landscape Painting, Finalist

2017
Finalist Perth Royal Landscape Prize, Highly Commended

2017
Finalist Midwest Art Prize Geraldton

2017
Scene – Nyisztor Gallery

2016
Minnawarra Art Prize

2016
Scene – Nyisztor Gallery

2015
Minnawarra Art Prize

2014
Minnawarra Art Prize

2014
Black Swan Heritage Prize

2013
Black Swan Heritage Prize, Highly Commended

2103
Minnawarra Art Prize

2013
Cossack Art Prize

SELECTED GRANTS, AWARDS, COMMISSIONS AND RESIDENCIES

2025
Awarded First Prize, Melville City Art Award

2024
People’s Choice Award, Minnawarra Art Award, Armadale

2023
Awarded Gerry Gauntlett Prize, Minnawarra Art Award, Armadale

2017
Finalist Perth Royal Landscape Prize, Highly Commended

2013
Black Swan Heritage Prize, Highly Commended

1985/1986
Albany Art Prize, Highly Commended

COLLECTIONS

Murdoch University Art Collection

City of Melville Art Collection

City of Perth Art Collection

St John of God Hospital Collection

King Edward Memorial Hospital Collection

Edith Cowan University Collection

University of Western Australia Collection

Private Collections Perth Western Australia

DOWNLOAD RESUME

ROBERT GEAR