By NATALIE GALLENTI
IT’S all in the eyes for emerging Caroline Springs artist Audrey Buttigieg-Cardona.
The Maltese migrant has always been fascinated by the human eye and what it can reveal about a person and her drawings often illustrate this.
“In Malta, the eye symbol can be found on boats, bastions and even necklaces to ward off evil and keep the person safe. Eyes have other meanings too, they are also the windows of the soul carrying different emotions within themselves,” Audrey said.
She can’t remember a time when she wasn’t drawing and said it is her life’s greatest passion.
“My parents always say from the moment I could hold a pencil, I was drawing.”
Migrating from Malta in 2007, Audrey said the opportunities that exist for artists in Australia far outweigh those in her homeland.
She now inspires other budding artists in her art classes at Westbourne Grammar.
“Primary school children are very open to ideas…secondary students that elect the subject are very motivated and passionate about it and easy to teach.”
But Audrey said the ability to draw is often innate and something that can only develop over time.
Presently she is dabbling in watercolours and has been motivated by the work of other emerging artists. She said her work “verges on the bizarre” and is inspired by the natural world.
Audrey’s pieces have featured at Melton City Council’s Art Beat Festival and Open Studios in the West exhibition. A member of the Hobsons Bay Art Society, she also holds art workshops on Saturday at Art Republic in Hoppers Crossing.
