Award winning artist and educator, Ron McBurnie was Guest Judge for the 2010 ‘Art on Show’ Exhibition and we are pleased to welcome him back in 2025.

His lengthy career began at the Queensland College of Art in 1975, then relocating to Townsville in 1980, he took up a teaching position at the Townsville College and subsequently James Cook University. There he continued his artistic evolution and in 2000 was awarded a Masters of Creative Art.

“The earliest work that McBurnie exhibited while still in college, consisted of slightly humorous story-telling images which dealt with common people but, presented them as saints of the everyday.” Sasha Grishin, 2009.

In his first years of teaching Ron McBurnie began to collect slightly humorous tales of the everyday. These were told to him by the people he met in his new North Queensland environment. He also developed stories generated by his own interactions with them. These experiences fed into the classical themes which were beginning to inform his work as it moved from his initial interest in Christian art, for example, St Francis and the desert Fathers.

Through this process he developed his interest in studying work from past masters particularly with those in the 17th to early 20th Century. He had a particular fascination with pastoral Romanticism through William Blake, Samuel Palmer and the other artists known as ‘the Ancients’ as well as the 20^th century artists that followed. His paintings, drawings and prints continue to be influenced by the techniques and ideas of these artists.

Ron McBurnie combines this thematic influence with a fascination for drawing directly from the Australian landscape. He has also produced several series of works in France and New Zealand where the landscape of these countries, opened up new challenges requiring new approaches to painting and drawing.

Across his artistic career Ron McBurnie has presented his works in numerous national and international art exhibitions, including a number in the Mackay region for example;

The Artists studio (touring exhibition) Artspace, Mackay (2003-05),

In Search of Arcadia – Artspace, Mackay (2011),

Tales of the Lyrebird – Artspace, Mackay (2022),              

Painting with the Tide – Milton House Gallery, Mackay (2024).

His future endeavours include the exhibition ‘The Grand Tour’ as well as a children’s book project.

For more information please visit  –  www.ronmcburnie.com

Previous Judges

2014 Judge – Artist, GW Bot

2013 Judge – Bekett Rozentals
Curator of Australian Art, National Gallery of Victoria

2021 Judge – Emma Kindred
Curator of Australian Prints & Drawings, National Gallery of Australia

2011 Judge – Artist, Joe Furionger

2010 Judge – Artist, Ron McBurnie

2009 Judge – Natalie Wilson
Curator of Australian Art, Art Gallery of New South Wales

2008 Judge – Angela G0ddard
Program Officer Regional Services, Queensland Art Gallery

2007 Judge – Michael Wardell
Director Art Space Mackay

2006 Judge – Christine Campbell
Executive Officer, Flying Arts Alliance

Banner Image:
Ben Ranson, Cape Hillsbrough (detail)

Guest Judge Images:
Monsoon Publishing