The life of Tasmanian artist Telfer Dennis has been remembered following her death last month.
Dennis spent her early life at Victor Harbor in South Australia, before moving to Campbell Town and spending time at her grandparents' holiday house at St Helens.
The seascape of the area became a significant influence, and imagery of black swans, moon reflections, and fishing boats appeared in her work when she started painting.
Dennis attended The Friends' School in Hobart, and then later Hobart Technical College where she was mentored by Jack Carington Smith, Dorothy Stoner, and Stephen Walker.
The historical Cressy property known as Fairfield - one of the oldest shearing sheds in the state - became Dennis's home with her husband and their three children.
According to Dennis's friend Jo Bornemissza, it was there among the sheep, cattle, and crops of oats, poppies, canola, and barley that Dennis embarked on the path of practicing fine art.
Her first exhibition was at the Carrick Gallery in 1968, which is when Ms Bornemissza first met the artist.
"She was a very interesting person. Very attractive lady, very elegant, quietly spoken, and a very quiet person," she said.
"From that time [in 1968], I saw her quite regularly at other exhibitions and quite often at [each other's houses]."
From there, Dennis explored sand dunes, boats, sea voyages, Italy, the tropics, fires, storms, agriculture, veiled figures, trees, wedding gowns, and christening robes among other things in her art.
"Her highly expressive work possessed qualities of innocence, exquisite sensibility, and mystical and imaginative revelations of her private, gentle, and pensive world," Ms Bornemissza said.
"Her painting technique was masterful, as was her use of colour and gold leaf. She was also inspired by the poetry of Emily Dickinson."
The artist held more than 25 exhibitions across Australia during her artistic career, including at Design Tasmania in Launceston.
Dennis also released a self-published book - Behind The Paint - coinciding with her exhibition at Design Tasmania.
The book weaves the tale of painting and poetry through an autobiography.
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Dana Anderson
On a Friday night you may see me at the theatre, a festival, an exhibition, or in the corner of one of my favourite establishments reading a novel. So, it makes sense I am the arts and what's on reporter for The Examiner. To contact me about a story please send an email to dana.anderson@examiner.com.au
On a Friday night you may see me at the theatre, a festival, an exhibition, or in the corner of one of my favourite establishments reading a novel. So, it makes sense I am the arts and what's on reporter for The Examiner. To contact me about a story please send an email to dana.anderson@examiner.com.au
