By VANESSA VALENZUELA
PAUL Borg is capturing the beauty of suburban life and challenging the iconic Australian landscape through art.
The St Albans resident is gearing up for his latest art exhibition, We Are Here, which will shine a new light on the repetitive depictions of Australian lifestyle.
For more than 28 years, Mr Borg has worked as a Visual Arts Teacher at Victoria University where he met co-workers and talented artists Gina Kalabishis and Shannon Smiley.
“We always talked to each other during our class breaks, and talked about our work, we soon realised we had many things in common and thought we should put on a show together,” he said.
Mr Borg will showcase images of his peaceful suburban backyard at the new exhibition and has drawn upon Max Meldrum’s infamous painting Picherit’s Farm as a source of inspiration.
“It’s a beautiful painting and it puts you in the frame of mind of being there and watching the light slowly change,” he said.
Mr Borg’s love for painting and drawing began at a young age and blossomed during primary school when he was inspired by his favourite art teacher.
He decided to follow his passion and said becoming an artist had changed his perspective on life.
“Art really makes you look at things differently and makes you appreciate how they are formed.”
Mr Borg said working as an arts teacher hadn’t limited his creativity but strengthened his desire to become a better painter.
“I love teaching because you’re passing on all this knowledge that you know,” Mr Borg said.
“When you’re surrounded by people you are inspired, even if they are students, because you’re always questioning yourself and learning all the time.”
The We Are Here art exhibition runs until 8 December at the Chapman & Bailey Gallery in Abbotsford.
For more information about the exhibition visit www.paulborg.com.au
