ABOUT
Rhondda's creative art adventure began in the studio of Australian contemporary artist Ross Davis, then flourished under the teaching of Desiderius Orban, who, influenced in Paris in the early 1900's by the impressionists Matisse, van Gogh, and Cézanne, believed that artistic formalism stifled creativity. He described Rhondda's work as highly creative, with a timeless quality and enduring value. In time, Orban appointed Rhondda as his teaching partner, just as he had John Ogburn and John Olsen before her. Her art has been widely exhibited and awarded, and all the while her art has been enjoyed by children and adults alike.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
PRIZE AND AWARD EXHIBITIONS
BLAKE PRIZE EXHIBITION
(RELIGOUS ART)
(ARTÂ GALLERY OF NSW)
Works selected for exhibition in the Blake
1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984
WYNNE PRIZE EXHIBITION
(LANDSCAPE)
(ART GALLERY OF NSW)
Works selected for exhibition in the Wynne
1975
PORTIA GEACH PRIZE EXHIBITION
(PORTRAITURE)
NATIONAL TRUST GALLERY
Works selected for exhibition in the Portia Geach
1976
MOSMAN ART PRIZE EXHIBITION
(CONTEMPORARY WORKS)
MOSMAN ART GALLERY
Works selected for exhibition in the Mosman Art Prize
1979, 1980, 1984, 1994
WESTON ART PRIZE
(RECENT, CONTEMPORARY)
WESTON CENTRE, NSW
Works selected for exhibition in the Weston Art Prize
1996 - 1999, 2002 - 2005
MULTIPLE FIRST
MULTIPLE HIGHLY COMMENDED
SINGLETON ART PRIZE
(RECENT CONTEMPORARY WORKS)
SINGLETONÂ CENTRE, NSW
Works selected for exhibition in the Singleton Art Prize
1994 - 2005
​
MULTIPLE HIGHLY COMMENDED
MULTIPLE COMMENDED
GODFEST
(CHRISTIAN FAITH EXPRESSION)
MANNING REGIONAL GALLERY
Works selected for exhibition in Godfest
2000 - 2006
FIRST
SECOND
MULTIPLE COMMENDED
MULTIPLE PEOPLE'S CHOICE
CESSNOCK ART PRIZE
(RECENT, MIXED MEDIA)
CESSNOCK REGIONAL GALLERY, NSW
Works selected for exhibition in the Cessnock Art Prize
1994 - 2002
​
FIRST
RUNNER-UP
MULTIPLE HIGHLY COMMENDED
MULTIPLE COMMENDED
POKOLBIN ART PRIZE
(CONTEMPORARY)
HUNTER VALLEY
Works selected for exhibition in the Pokolbin Art Prize
2000 - 2004
​
FIRST PRIZE
MAITLAND REGIONAL ART PRIZE
(RECENT WORKS)
MAITLAND REGIONAL GALLERY
Works selected for exhibition in the Maitland Regional Art Prize
1994-2005
​
COMMENDED
HUNTER REGIONAL ART SHOW
(ORIGINAL, MIXED MEDIA)
NEWCASTLE ART GALLERY, NSW
Works selected for exhibition in the Hunter Regional Art Show
1998 - 2005
FIRST
SAMARITANS ART PRIZE
(ART FROM THE HEART)
NEWCASTLE ARTS CENTRE
Work selected for exhibition in the Samaritans Art Prize
2006
FIRST
TEACHING
ORBAN STUDIO
TEACHING PARTNER
1976 - 1983
Sydney
ORBAN SUMMER SCHOOL
​
FOUNDER, TEACHING PARTNER
1978 - 1983
Sydney, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands
SYDNEY PERFORMING AND CREATIVE ARTS SCHOOL
VISITING TEACHER
1976
Sydney
WARRAWILLA
CREATIVE WORKSHOPS
VISITING TEACHER
1987 - 1989
Millthorpe, NSW
ST LUCY'S SCHOOL
VISITING TEACHER
1998
Sydney
ROYAL BLIND SOCIETY
SCHOOL CAMPS PROGRAM
VISITING TEACHER
1992 - 2004
Sydney
CESSNOCK
LEARNING CENTRE
​
VISITING TEACHER
2000 - 2002
Cessnock, NSW
NSW REGIONAL GALLERY WORKSHOPS
VISITING TEACHER
1992 - 2016
Sydney and regional NSW
WALTERS STUDIO
FOUNDER, TEACHER
1984 - present
Sydney, Hunter Valley, Sydney
STUDENT REVIEWS
Rhondda is an artist and teacher who can pass on her experience with enthusiasm, discovering the joy of painting with freedom, colour, and form.
Margot, 2021
As a teacher, Rhondda’s passion and enthusiasm are contagious. Always full of ideas as well as constructive criticism and praise, she helps me keep moving forward in my art.
​
Christine, 2021
Painting with Rhondda changed everything! My framer took one look at my new work and said ‘Have you visited another planet’? Yes, I had. Before that, I merely depicted the likeness of my subject. Now, I incorporate my ‘self’ into that process, and individual character has become more important to me than the likeness of the form. My best work now has a soul.
​
Jean, 2021
Rhondda has helped me guide and coax paintings onto paper, and experiment with new techniques and materials. Freedom of expression is a hallmark of Rhondda’s approach, and has opened up a world of possibilities for me. I paint for the joy of it, and with Rhondda’s tuition, have come to believe that anyone can paint. And should.
​
Maia, 2021
