Artist Susan Marrable of Bateau Bay is set to present an exhibition of her life’s work at Gosford Regional Gallery, with the official opening to take place on her 93rd birthday.
Susan Marrable – A Life in Art will be in the community gallery from January 21-28, with the official opening to take place at 4pm on January 21.
More than 50 drawings, prints and paintings will be on show, covering 70 years of her life from leaving Hungary as a refugee at the age of 14 in 1944 to the present day.
“I always liked drawing,” she said.
“Even as a child I was doing strip cartoons and illustrating stories.
“You tend to draw what you know and most of my work is landscapes of places I have been to.”
Marrable’s preferred mediums are pencil drawings and watercolour paintings.
Born in Hungary, she fled the country at the end of World War II, returning to her mother’s home town in Germany.
In 1961, she and her husband moved to Australia, living for a year in Melbourne before settling on the Central Coast.
“We lived first at Terrigal and then on a rainforest acreage at Matcham for 25 years,” she said.
“Matcham was just a backwater then but was a wonderful place to raise our children.”
These days she enjoys independent assisted living at Bateau Bay.
The artwork on show mostly reflects her many travels.
“My husband and I spent five months travelling all around Australia; I’m sure I’ve seen more of the country than most people,” she said.
“I did a great many drawings during that time.”
The opening of the exhibition will be attended by Marrable’s old friends, children, grandchildren and great grand child.
Susan Marrable – A Life in Art will be open between 9.30am and 4pm daily from January 21-28.
Terry Collins