I started life 1966 and was born in England, where at the age of 2 my parents migrated to Australia as “ten pound tourists”. Where I grew up with my younger brother on the beaches of Sydney, outback towns of Carvaran WA, Brigalong VIC and major communities of Bendigo, Ballarat and Sale in Victoria. And like everybody in the arts industry, my career started petty much the same way. I was very interested in drawing and painting at a young age and encouraged by parents to study art further at school. Where at the age of 15 I entered into Queensland University to study an Associate Diploma of Fine Arts, with a part scholarship for sculpting in the early 80’s. This is where the arts really opened up to me and over the next few years new and exciting ideas and techniques were explored. I must say I didn’t do to well, but it was a worthwhile experience.
I find it very uncomfortable to be labelled an “artist” as I feel it is not an easy passion to pursue. In this field of endeavour you are always learning, changing and challenging yourself, to me it becomes addictive - to create and explore an idea and to successfully “pull it off” is an adrenaline kick - but only for a moment and then the questions, how can I do it better? Lloyd Rees once said on or near to the end of his life “I will never stop painting until I find the prefect light or prefect colour, but the challenge is to pursue the prefect painting” or words that effect. So to be called an “artist” in all its glory is never really achieved until the process is complete - until death. I hope this makes sense in a odd sort off way. When I finished my time at Queensland University, it was the middle of the recession in the 80’s and difficult to find employment in the arts Industry. I took a job as a cleaner in a pie factory in Victoria, which eventually led to a trade as a pastrycook Which I worked at for the next few years. I took a year off work to travel around Australia drawing and painting along the way with my then girlfriend (wife to be). It was a period of time that really kindled my interest in wildlife, especially birds.
After experiencing Australia close up and being inspired by the writings of people like Tim Flannery, I soon realized how unique Australian wildlife is - to be able to adopt and evolve to survive on a drop of water. The harshness of our environment means that we have the most resilient and beautiful wildlife in the world. I think our challenge, is to learn how to adapt and evolve along side our amazing wildlife and environment - a process which can enhance our quality of life whilst preserving that of the creature that we share this island continent with. The early mornings required of a pastrycook took their toll and in the early 90’s I returned University to study graphic design. I was fortunate to study at a time when computer technology was taking over the industry but traditional methods were still being taught. I then worked as a graphic designer for the next ten years or so as well as getting married and having kids, taking a particular interest in computer technology and what could be achieved with it. I moved in to a freelancing position, giving away the 9to5 routine and set up my own company called “Monkey Tail Design” which encompasses all aspects - design, graphic design, commercial Illustration (digital and traditional) and fine art. Again during this period I was always drawing and painted wildlife. I had my first solo exhibition in 1999 and I participate in numerous group, community, fine art and solo exhibitions spanning over the last 18 years. I have always had the dream to move out of the city and build a dream house and studio in an idyllic country location with my wife and two kids (Jarrad and Emily). About 19 years ago we bought 25 acres of hilly granite outcrop country at Highlands, Central Victoria. Twelve years ago we made the move to Yea in a bid to turn this dream into reality. We took over the local video store to supplement the income of an “artist”, which turned into a surprisingly good outlet for my artwork especially my metal sculptures. We then spent 2.5 years building a mudbrick, off the grid, energy efficient house, which we moved into 8 years ago. Since moving to the new house have built a purpose built studio for my artwork and plans are under way for a bigger workshop for larger sculptures, and more extensive native gardens for the wildlife.
Education & Qualifications
1978 - Ballarat & Queens Anglican Grammer School
1979 - Ballarat School of Mines & Industries
1980 - 84 - Queensland College of Art
1984 - 88 - William Angliss College Melbourne, 4 year Pastrycook Apprenticeship
1993 - 94 - Dandenong College of T.A.F.E, Associate Diploma of Arts, Graphic Arts
Exhibitions
2018 - Mce Grange Spring Sculpture Exhibtion, Group
2018 - Darren Gilbert @ Bolin Bolin Gallery, Bulleen Art & Garden, Solo
2018 - Janet Matthews & Darren Gilbert @ Town and Country Gallery, Group
2018 - WASA, Wild Awards @ Burrinja Gallery, Group
2018 - Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery - Print and Drawing Awards, Group
2017 - Darren Gilbert @ Sedona Estata, Solo
2017 - Mica Grange Spring Sculpture Exhibtion, Group
2017 - Wildlife Art Society Exhibtion @ Geelong Art Society Gallery, Group
2017 - Janet Matthews & Darren Gilbert @ Town and Country Gallery, Group
2017 - Toorak Village Sculpture Exhibition, Group
2017 - ARC yinner Sculpture Exhibition, Group
2017 - Mica Grange Autumn Sculpture Exhibition, Group
2017 - Pauline John & Darren Gilbert @ Meeniyan Art Gallery, Group
2017 - Yarra Glen Arts Show, Group
2016 - Mica Grange Spring Sculpture Exhibition, Group
2016 - Janet Matthews & Darren Gilbert @ Gallery 34 Gallery, Group
2016 - Red Pepper Gallery, Solo
2016 - Janet Matthews & Darren Gilbert @ Town and Country Gallery, Group
2016 - Mica Grange Autumn Sculpture Exhibtion, Group
2016 - Yea Arts Carnivale, Open Studios
2015 - Janet Matthews & Darren Gilbert @ Gallery 34 Gallery, Group
2015 - Janet Matthews & Darren Gilbert @ Town and Country Gallery, Group
2015 - Mica Grange Autumn Sculpture Exhibition, Group
2015 - Yea Arts Carnivale, Open Studios
2014 - Toorak Village Art Fair, Group
2014 - The Light Factory Gallery, Solo
2014 - Janet Matthews & Darren Gilbert @ Gallery 34 Gallery, Group
2014 - 3 LEGGED CHAIR... Impromptu Exhibtion with Leone Gabrielle, Darren Gilbert, Andrew Maclean, Jill Maclean, Philip Wischer
2013 - Janet Matthews & Darren Gilbert @ Gallery 34 Gallery, Group
2013 - Toyota Community Spirit Gallery indoor outdoor Sculpture Exhibition
2013 - Wild4art @ The Light Factory Gallery, Group
2013 - Food & Wine Exhibition @ The Light Factory Gallery, Group
2012 - Janet Matthews & Darrren Gilbert @ Gallery 34 Gallery, Group
2012 - Wild4art @ Town and Country Gallery, Group
2012 - The Light Factory Gallery, Group
2011 - Gallery 34 - Art Gallery, Solo
2011 - Wild4art @ The Light Factory Gallery, Group
2011 - enLIGHTenment, Group
2011 - Wild4art @ Pantechnicon, Group
2010 - Wild4art @ Ruffy, Group
2010 - Gallery 34 - Art Gallery, Solo
2010 - WASA @ Karrawarra, Art Gallery, Group
2010 - WASA @ Montsalvat Art Gallery, Group
2010 - WASA @ Gippsland Art Gallery, Group
2010 - Creative Gippsland Art Festival, Solo
2010 - Wild4art @ Art Melbourne, Group
2010 - Monkey Tail Collection 4, Solo
2010 - HiArt 2010, Group
2010 - 100kNorth Arts @ Marmalades, Group
Awards
2018 - Wildlife Artists Society of Australia, Wild Awards
2018 - Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery, Finalist Print & Drawing Awards
2017 - Wildlife Artists Society of Australia, Peoples Choice Award
2017 - Wildlife Artists Society of Australia, 3rd Price
2017 - Yarra Glen Arts Show, Highly Commended
2017 - Yarra Glen Arts Show, Peoples Choice Award
2014 - Tallarook Art Society, Peoples Choice Award
2013 - Wildlife Artists Society of Australia, Highly Commended
2012 - Tallarook Art Society, Goulburn Valley Water Award
2011 - Travelling Scholarship 2011, Noosa Regional Gallery, Finalists
2010 - Wildlife Artists Society of Australia, Highly Commended
2009 - Wildlife Artists Society of Australia, All About Wildlife 'Most Popular Artworks' Runner Up
2008 - Wildlife Artists Society of Australia, BOCA, Runner Up
2008 - Wildlife Artists Society of Australia, Highly Commended
2007 - Tallarook Art Society, Endangered Flora & Fauna Award
2007 - Yea Rotary Art Show, Highly Commended Award
1997 - Wildlife Artists Society of Australia, Drawing Award
