Davson ~ World Leaders & Enlightenment

Major Retrospective Art Exhibitions are only mounted, displayed and toured, after the artist has excelled and is considered a creative leader.

The calibre of Davson’s art, and the recognition and high level of esteem concerning her respected place in the chronicle of our times, is evidenced by such exhibitions.

This is a stunning, multi-million dollar survey collection of Sharon Davson’s art from 1972 to 2009.

The exhibition offers viewers an opportunity to follow the artist’s developmental process from an art student in the early 1970’s to an internationally accomplished creative leader whose concepts have been embraced by many around the globe.

The collection highlights the varied creations of this inspiring artist. It provides insight into her more than 30-year Australian and international career along with her spiritual and charitable endeavours.

Gratitude enlightens and precedes peace is a recurrent theme in this exhibition, inspiring us toward greater self-enlightenment and harmony with all living things on our Earth.

This exhibition shows 50 significant works testifying to the strength in the development of her art from 1972 to the present. Included are also two drawings created in South Australia during the 1983 filming of a documentary, 901 to Innamincka, about her life and art giving insight into some of her earlier thought and artistic processes.

Etchings and other original press prints express some of the inner conflicts experienced by the artist from 1972 to 1985. Woven limited edition prints and original silk-screen prints created between 1987 and 2006 illustrate a process which the artist has regularly used to bring new expressions to these works - some of which are whimsical with a simple and clear visual expression.

Since 2006, this multi-million dollar survey collection of Davson’s art has been displayed as an inspirational visual narrative on the artist’s development from her art college days to the present. It illustrates her passion to help endangered species and reduce prejudice in all its forms. It has the power to encourage and influence.

1st preview exhibition . . . 2006-2007

Leo Sayer, international singing star and a Patron of Davson ~ World Leaders & Enlightenment, was the guest speaker at the official opening function for this 1st Preview exhibition on 12 November 2006. And Cessnock Mayor John Clarence officially opened the 1st preview exhibition of 20 selected works from this collection.

It was displayed in the award winning Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin, NSW, from 5 October 2006 to 10 January 2007. Over 22,000 people viewed the exhibition.

This preview event included the first public exposure of the planned book publications of Davson’s art with poetry by Celia Berrell.

Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery . . . 2008

As the Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery in Stanthorpe, QLD, had previously celebrated the opening exhibition of Davson’s first major retrospective exhibition, With Gratitude For The Light in 1999, she desired that this gallery have the opening exhibition of the Davson ~ World Leaders & Enlightenment collection.

The exhibition was presented by Newman Haas Lonigan Racing - owned by Paul Newman and Carl Haas. It also contained some additional works, including two art pieces from the Win Davson Art Gallery & Museum in Gatton.

This very successful exhibition was officially opened on Friday 18 January 2008 by Stanthorpe Mayor, Councillor Glen Rogers, who also added his handprint and message to the Wall for Peace affiliated with the exhibition in the gallery.

Between the 1st preview and these featured public exhibitions, the larger works of art in the collection have been on display at Davson Art studios in Newcastle, New South Wales.

Opening exhibition of the
Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre . . . 2009

For the opening of the new Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre in Gatton, Queensland, Davson was honoured by her Davson ~ World Leaders & Enlightenment exhibition being its opening exhibition.

It was officially opened by Wayne Wendt MP for The Honourable Rachael Nolan, QLD, Minister for Transport, on 7 November 2009.

This cultural centre includes a museum, library and a new art gallery which replaces the former Gatton Shire Davson Art Gallery in which Sharon Davson’s highly valued retrospective exhibition With Gratitude For The Light was the opening exhibition in the year 2000.

Among the guest speakers for the opening were Mary Teague on behalf of the State Library; Ian Rickuss MP, State Member of Parliament for Lockyer; Mayor Steve Jones, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, and Sharon Davson.

“Sharon Davson is one of the most accomplished and innovative artists from the Lockyer. Davson’s artwork is held in high regard and it has influenced people from all walks of life, nationally and internationally, and her charitable work for nature and her outlook on the betterment of humanity is encouraging to all of us.”< br/> Ian Rickuss MP, Member for Lockyer, Gatton

“ Lockyer Valley Regional Council is pleased to have acclaimed artist Sharon Davson exhibit a major collection of her work in the new Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre. Her retrospective exhibition, Davson - World Leaders & Enlightenment, is the first exhibition to be shown. Some of the works of art in this exhibition were also displayed as the opening exhibition of the Gatton Shire Davson Art Gallery in 2000, named after Sharon and the Davson family’s significant contribution to the arts and culture both in Australia and internationally, as well as locally in the Gatton area.”
“ Councillor Steve Jones, Mayor, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Gatton

Opening exhibition of the Davson Arts Museum . . . 2010

The Davson ~ World Leaders & Enlightenment exhibition was the opening exhibition for the Davson Arts Museum peace and environment centre in Newcastle. Although the arts museum had been operating for some time, this was its first official exhibition.

The opening formalities included a welcome by Aboriginal elder Mick Davidson. This was followed by a blessing from Newcastle Bishop, The Right Reverend Dr Brian Farran, and then the official opening by Newcastle Lord Mayor John Tate. Lord Mayor Tate spoke eloquently about Davson’s art and contribution to the community.

Millicent Art Gallery, South Australia . . . 2010

The Davson ~ World Leaders & Enlightenment exhibition was …...

The opening formalities …….

Macleay Valley Community Art Gallery . . . 2011

In Kempsey, NSW, opening in February.

. . . still being added to . . .

Davson World