Andrew Spark is a contemporary visual artist who has staged a number of successful solo exhibitions and been featured in Australia's most frequently visited regional art gallery, Ipswich Art Gallery, in both collective and solo exhibitions.
"My paintings and mixed media work emerge from the temporal world of emotion rather than contained by any perceived realism. For me, painting provides a creative outlet that contrasts sharply with the accuracy of my commercial work demands.
"My career as a designer, while creatively based, is about accuracy and accountability whereas this work is about interpretation and expression. "The dynamic is co-dependant, I need the touchstone of one to be able to view the other accurately.
"Employing these methods means I am able to pursue the goal of integrated whole, which exists both within my work, as well as in my daily life."
spark@cactus
solo exhibition mixed media + acrylics
May 2004, Cactus Espresso Bar, Ipswich
automatik teknicolour solo exhibition mixed media + acrylics
October 2005, Figjam Cafe, Ipswich
the women of ipswich: centenary of womens right to vote
combined exhibition synthetic polymer paint on canvas
November 2005, Ipswich Art Gallery, Ipswich
signs and signifiers
solo exhibition, Ipswich Art Gallery
Digital images on canvas and photographic paper
November 2006 - March 2007
unravel
solo exhibition of digital imagery on metallic paper
Cactus Espresso Bar, October - December 2008
changing perceptions
group exhibition of digital imagery on metallic paper
Ipswich Community Gallery, April 2010
reverse education 2001-2010
solo retrospective
the swich contemporary art space, October 2010
"In 'Contemporary' I awarded Andrew Spark's 'Thermodynamics 2: or, The Silence' the first prize for his inventive and witty installation, which I suspect owes a bit to the British Chapman brothers, but still makes you think..."
"In 'Oil and Acrylics' I thought Andrew Spark's 'Rachel Nolan MP' was a lively and engaging portrait, with an obvious reference to the work of David Bromley."
Phillip Bacon AM, Ipswich Art Awards 2004
Spark's portrait of Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan MP (mauve & pink) is part of the Ipswich Art Gallery's City of Ipswich Collection.
Together with his partner Clinton Smith, Andrew Spark is a donor and Silver Category Sponsor of the Ipswich Arts Foundation.
Andrew Spark is also a Board Member of Fractal Theatre.
Spark is also a Member and Season Partner 2010-2011 of the Ipswich Chamber of Commerce & Industry.