Draft:Sharon Davson

• Comment: Note Sharon Davson SALTed due to socking KylieTastic (talk) 11:39, 8 November 2024 (UTC)

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Sharon Davson

Sharon Silver Davson (born April 26, 1954) is an Australian artist known for her work in spiritual and environmental art. Born in Gatton, Queensland, she has lived in various parts of Australia and has spent nearly thirty years in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. Her artistic practice includes themes related to nature and spirituality.

Biography

Davson (born in Australia) is an artist known for her work in contemporary art and for involvement in various global awareness initiatives. She attended the Queensland College of Art in Brisbane in the early 1970s. Her first solo exhibition took place in Sydney in 1982.

Davson's work often focuses on social and environmental themes, particularly on endangered species and world peace. In 1990, she established Artists For Life, an initiative intended to raise awareness about endangered species, which involved international artists such as James Rosenquist, Tom Wesselmann, Larry Rivers, and Christo.

In 1992, Davson introduced the Hands Up project in Sydney, which included participation by American singer Neil Diamond. Over time, the project expanded to include participants from various fields, including sports and entertainment.

The Hands Up project has been adapted for use in international settings, including events such as the Indianapolis 500 and the ATP World Championships, where Davson organized activities focused on endangered species awareness.

In 2019, Davson designed a solid silver coin featuring four rare pink Argyle diamonds, further demonstrating her interest in innovative and unconventional artistic endeavors.

Career

Since 1984, much of Sharon Davson's artwork has been pre-sold in Australia and internationally, which has led to limited participation in commercial exhibitions.

Davson has also worked as a keynote speaker and has had a diverse career as a professional studio artist.

Two major retrospective exhibitions of her work have been held at public galleries in Australia: With Gratitude for the Light (1999–2003) and Davson ~ World Leaders and Enlightenment (2008–2011). The latter's preview exhibition included singer Leo Sayer as a guest and was the opening exhibition for the Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre in 2009.

Throughout her career, Davson has engaged in collaborations with sports figures and entertainers on projects related to art, peace, and environmental causes.

She was the first artist reported to sponsor an international sporting event.

Davson's artwork is held in various collections, including those of HRH Prince Philip in London, England, and the World Book Encyclopedia in Chicago, USA.

Her works have been exhibited internationally, including at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Malaysia.

A public art gallery in her hometown of Gatton, the Gatton Shire Davson Art Gallery, was established in 2000. After the amalgamation of regional councils, the gallery became the Davson Gallery in the Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre.

Davson has been recognized as a "Lockyer Legend" within the same cultural complex.

Her painting On The Ark of Salvation was featured on the cover of an international magazine.

In 2021, an unfinished painting by Davson, stored for over thirty years, sold, setting a record for the sale of an unfinished painting by a living artist.

In 2004, Davson designed a "World Flag," which has been displayed in locations worldwide, including in Japan, Israel, and Australia.

She has participated in community initiatives, such as the Cow Parade in 2002.

Works

• Hikaru Museum, Takayama, Japan In 1996, the painting With Gratitude Comes Growth by Sharon Davson was gifted to the Sukyo Mahikari Headquarters and is now part of the Hikaru Museum's collection. In 2005, a prototype World flag designed by Davson and a biography of her work were added to the collection. The painting has also been exhibited at various venues, including the SUZA Main World Shrine during the 2005 International Conference for Spiritual Elevation. Tamba City Council Collection, Tamba, Japan In 1989, a work by Davson was gifted to the Tamba City Council by the City of Hawkesbury Council, New South Wales, Australia. Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Australia Davson's painting Reflections has been part of the permanent collection at the Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory since 1989. This work was included in the retrospective exhibition With Gratitude For The Light, which toured fourteen regional galleries in Australia from 1999 to 2002. Other Collections Davson's artworks are represented in various public collections across Australia, including regional art galleries, university art collections, and city council collections.
• Major Retrospective and Survey Exhibitions
  • 2008 and Continuing - Davson ~ World Leaders and Enlightenment: This survey exhibition features 50 works by Davson and is touring public art galleries.
  • 1999 - 2002 - Davson ~ With Gratitude for the Light: This retrospective exhibition included over 60 works and toured 14 public galleries.
  • 1996 - With Gratitude: This exhibition, held at the Renaissance Sydney Hotel, included works borrowed from various collections.
  • 1990 - Melting Transitions: This exhibition was Davson's first survey shown in a public gallery, featuring significant works from 1974 to 1990. Community Engagement Davson has participated in initiatives such as the Young and Emerging Artist Awards in Newcastle, which included a donation for the Works On Paper Award in 2007.