Hung in Parliament House

Woy Woy artist Yvette Pritchard has had some of her works included in an exhibition celebrating 10 years of freedom in South Africa at NSW Parliament House

The exhibition entitled ''Ten years of Freedom: South Africa 1994-2004" ran from April 5 to April 30 in the Fountain Court of NSW Parliament House.

South African high commissioner Mr Anthony Mongalo hosted a celebration to mark 10 years of freedom in South Africa on April 28 in the Jubilee Room on NSW Parliament House where he was able to see some of Ms Pritchard's works.

The exhibition reflects some of the experiences of the 1994 elections in South Africa and beyond.

The exhibition also included works from other artists such as George Gittoes, Bruce Petty, Muriel Corey and historic items and memorabilia from the time.

The South African-born Pritchard studied fine arts at Cape Town University, but was naturalised as Australian citizen in the 1970s.

She held her first solo exhibition of paintings and drawings at the Bondi Pavilion Gallery titled "The Beloved Country of the New South Africa" in 1999.

"The show was well received by the public and created interest among the local art followers," she said.

In 2002, Ms Pritchard was invited by the then South African high commissioner, Mr Magugu, to show her new exhibition ''South Africa From the Heart'' at the South Africa House in Canberra.

This was also followed by another exhibition in 2000 entitled ''The Beloved Country revisited" at Dale Thomas Gallery, Artarmon.

She said she has also regularly returned to South Africa during this time to visit her parents and bring back source material for her artworks.

She describes her style as a bold and loose and paints mainly in oils, using lots of colour.

Portraiture is also an important part of her work and her portrait of Dr Meredith Burgmann was hung in the Portia Geach Prize Exhibition and had a painting short-listed for the Archibald Prize in 2000.

Press release, May 12