Biography

Colin Pennock is a mid-career artist who paints abstract landscapes from his studio nestled in the Noosa hinterland rainforest, Queensland. He has exhibited widely in solo and group exhibitions in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, New York and is represented in London by Serena Morton, in West London.

Born in Ireland, Pennock came to Australia at the age of one and has lived and worked in Ireland, Australia, London and New York.

He came to painting and drawing from unlikely beginnings as a Police Constable in Northern Ireland, sketching whilst on duty in the height of the troubles. These sketch books earned him a four-year scholarship to St Martin’s School of Art London from 1985-89 earning a BA (Hons) Fine Art – Painting.

Pennock uses his extensive knowledge of techniques to paint varied textural applications from thick impasto to delicate glazing. His uniquely original style was born from the desire to be immersed in nature and find harmony after turbulent past experience.

In London, Pennock first exhibited in 1988 with Loewe & West Contemporary Arts, Chelsea

Wharf and from 2014 exclusively with Serena Morton. He has been included in many group shows including the London Art Fair in 2018 with and that year he also had his first solo exhibition with Serena Morton titled Self Portrait.

Pennock lived and worked in New York for six years leaving soon after 9/11. Whilst there, in 1998, he exhibited in a group show with Willie Doherty and Robert Longo at the Culture & Conflict exhibition Puffin Gallery.

In September 2019 Pennock was the featured exhibiting artist with Arthouse Gallery, Sydney at the Sydney Contemporary Art Fair.

Pennock’s latest sell-out show at Arthouse Gallery To follow gentle voices was critically acclaimed. This year, Pennock will be included again, in a group show with Arthouse Gallery at the Sydney Contemporary Art Fair 2022.

In June-July this year Pennock undertook a residency with NG Art Creative Residency in Provence. He will be featured by them, this September, in a group show event at the Moulin de Greoux, Maussane les Alpilles.

Exhibiting nationally and internationally Pennock’s work is held in prominent private and public collections worldwide including the British Consulate in New York and Washington, University of Ulster, the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery NSW Collection and RACV Club Victoria.   

He was the winner of the Alan Gamble Award, Mosman Art Prize, Sydney (2005) and has been a finalist in the Len Fox Painting Award, Victoria (2016), Fleurieu Peninsula Art Prize, South Australia (2008, 2004) and the Mosman Art Prize, Sydney (2019, 2014, 2005).

Collections

Hawkesbury Regional Gallery Collection.
RACV Club, Melbourne & Victoria
British Consulate New York, Washington
University of Ulster Belfast, Northern Ireland
Various Private Collections Australia, New York, California, Hong Kong, London, Ireland

Art Prizes

2019   Finalist Mosman Art Prize, Sydney
2016   Finalist Len Fox painting Award, Vic
2014   Finalist Mosman Art Prize, Sydney
2008    Finalist Fleurieu Penninsula Water Prize, SA       
2008    Finalist Fleurieu Penninsula Art Prize, SA           
2005    Winner Mosman Alan Gamble Memorial Art Prize       
2004    Finalist Fleurieu Penninsula Art Prize, SA           

Education

1986 – 1989 St Martins School of Art London B.A. Hons Degree Fine Art (Painting)
1985 – 1986 St Martins School of Art Foundation Art Course

Selected Solo Exhibitions
2022   To Follow Gentle Voices, Sydney
2020   ‘Reign and Fall’, BMG, Adelaide
2020   ‘The Modernist 2020’, Melbourne
2019   ‘A Forgotten Traveller’, Arthouse, Sydney
2019   ‘Things I Tried To Say’, BMG, Adelaide
2018   ‘Past Voices’, Arthouse Gallery, Sydney
2018   ‘Self Portrait’, Serena Morton, London
2017   ‘Silenced’, Scott Livesey Galleries, Melbourne
2017   ‘Intrusion’, Arthouse Gallery, Sydney
2016   ‘Promise To Remember’, BMG, Adelaide
2016   ‘Modern Recluse’, Arthouse Gallery, Sydney
2015   ‘Expat’, Scott Livesey Galleries, Melbourne
2014   ‘Pioneer’, Arthouse Gallery, Sydney
2014   ‘Wayfarer’, BMG Art, Adelaide
2013   The Last Place To Look, Arthouse Gallery, Sydney
2013   ‘Tracker’, Scott Livesey Galleries, Melbourne
2011   ‘Rural Convict’, Scott Livesey Galleries, Melbourne        
2010   ‘Guide’, Scott Livesey Galleries, Melbourne
2007    ‘Strata’, Scott Livesey Galleries Melbourne           
2007    ‘Light and Sound in the Hawkesbury’, Michael Reid   
2006    ‘Fragment of the Greater Landscape’, Scott Livesey
             Galleries, Melbourne                       
2005    ‘Tin Town’ Art Equity, Barrack Gallery, Sydney      
2005    ‘Solo’  A1 + 2 Gallery, Balmain, Sydney