Naïve painter, Narelle Wildman was born in 1946 in Sydney, NSW, the third child of Harry and Clara Wildman of Killara, NSW. She was educated at Beaumont Rd Public School and Chatswood High School, where she topped the school in art studies.
Wilman studied at North Sydney Tech for a year before spending a year at East Sydney Tech studying dress design. She left this to pursue a career in modelling and fashion and gave up art altogether for many years as she travelled the world. Wildman lived with a German man for many years, who had homes in Brazil and Paris, and it was during this time that she was introduced to Brazilian naïve art, which adorned the walls of their homes.
Wildman then moved to London, where she was in charge of the fashion showrooms and parades at Jaeger for many years. While in London she lived with her friend, the late Anders Ousback, famous then as a top chef and restaurateur, who went on to become even more successful as a potter.
Returning to Australia in 1980, Wildman began to research the naïve art movement in Australia and a set of unused paints, bought originally for her mother, inspired Wildman to take up the practice. A chance encounter with Hazel Evans, one of Britain’s best known naïve artists, led to an exhibition at Hogarth Gallery in Sydney.
Wildman lived in Neutral Bay for several years before moving back to Killara and in November 1981 The Australian Women’s Weekly did a two page article on her work. This exposure led to a collaboration with Villeroy and Boch, who commissioned an Australian series onto porcelain. Other corporate commissions followed including cards by Card Sharp, place mats by Jason, jigsaws by Blue Opal and calendars by Bartel.
During this time Wildman had a number of sell-out shows around Australia and in the United States of America and her work received publicity in Vogue , newspapers and via television programs including the Maggie Tabberer show and Mike Walsh. Private collectors of Wildman’s work include Michael Parkinson and Jackie Collins.
Employing vibrant colours, Wildman’s work draws inspiration from her childhood memories of time spent at the beach and in the NSW country around Nyngan and Dubbo. Featuring children, animals and adults playing, Jacaranda and Pepper Trees and summer skies, Wildman’s work depicted suburbia, the everyday, families and the Sydney Harbour. Favourite Sydney locations include Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, where Wildman’s other favourite subject, the old style ferries and yachts, could be seen.
In 2004 Wildman was commissioned by the Sydney Morning Herald to paint Australia Day on Sydney Harbour, for their front page. Since 2002 Wildman has lived in the Blue Mountains where she continues to paint from home.
- Writers:
- Wildman, Narelle
- Date written:
- 2007
- Last updated:
- 2011
