
One of the first resident artists in 2023, Peter is returning for a second residency at Inglewood Arts Hub. He started on 13 January 2025.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I am Perth born, with Italian heritage.
I worked full-time for many years, but the urge to paint was always there. I studied at TAFE at night for several years, but always wanted to study fine art at university. When the opportunity to work part-time was offered, I enrolled at ECU and began my studies.
Art quickly replaced work as my priority, and I managed to take up my studies full time.
How has your career developed and evolved?
When I finished my degree, I was offered a residency in a vacant shop in a major shopping centre. The idea was to provide interest and interaction opportunities for the centre’s customers for three months.
The project was so successful for the centre that the three months became four years, and involved exhibiting my work and running workshops. So began my career as a full-time artist.
What does your work aim to say?
I paint in vibrant colours – so my first aim is to add colour and use colour and tell stories, evoke emotions, and form a connection with the viewer.
What is your focus during you time as Artist in Residence?
I aim to develop my AIR program from a community project involving aged, disadvantaged or relevant NDIS participants. My/our end of residency exhibition will be the works resulting from this collaboration.
Connect with Peter
Facebook: Peter Francis Artist