Press Release following Robyn's "Wine, Women and Song" Exhibition...

Orchestrally inspired Performance Art Works by Robyn te Velde

Illawarra based artist Robyn te Velde, (formerly known as Robyn David) is no stranger to producing gala events around Australia and has been recognised for her creative talents on the world's stage in hair and fashion.

"Art was always in the wings - whether a comb, a pair of scissors, a roll of fabric, or a paint brush", said Robyn. Her multi faceted artistic ability has been described by some as "raw and rare". Robyn te Velde has carved a career that spans over 40 years of spectacular achievement and professional accolades unparalleled in Australia. Significant international acclaim and national career success in a variety of creative fields led to her appointment as Artistic Director for L'Oreal Paris - Australia for almost a decade. Now an emerging artist Robyn's artworks have already attracted seven art prizes - four of which were the People's Choice, and a number of significant acquisitions including two to Wollongong Council and one to BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal.

Quite the entrepreneur, marrying fine arts to music and dance, Robyn has set new dynamics for art at her first, recently staged exhibition and fundraising venture, titled Wine Women and Song. In keeping with her long list of artistic endeavours, this powerful synergy of the arts seized the atmosphere at the Wollongong City Gallery. A capacity crowd was entertained as Robyn struck more than a chord with the rhythm of her brushes as the composure of these works was revealed on the big screen. As raw creative energy, paint and passion engaged with a choreographed compliment of dance - the sounds of orchestral greats titillated the senses during the unveiling of her unique performance works - accompanied by live music from the WIN Wollongong Symphony Orchestra. Described by many as a magical moment of creativity and certainly a milestone in the artist's remarkable career, this unique expose of art made for a truly memorable evening for all who attended.

Challenging the cameraman in Robyn's studio the innovative process of these paintings began their journey inspired by a number of the artist's favorite composers, Tchaikovsky, Gershwin, Delibes & Strauss. The blank canvas was rapidly developed to the rhythm of music, revealing an explosion of energy in bold paint, brilliant colour, texture, line and form to produce these lively images. The inception of this body of work was captured in the making, in the audio-visual produced to provide insightful viewing and a back-drop for the unveiling. This footage became the focal point and centre of creativity on the night when all was revealed, enriched by the beautiful sounds of live orchestra in an extraordinary layering of art never presented before.

"It was a rather courageous initiative, engaging production specialists to film and record the process of my work without feeling pressured. It was important to feel free enough to express spontaneous energy and emotion from a very deep place in my heart. A life-long vision to paint what I felt - simultaneously to the sounds of music was finally put to the test and was so quickly brought to life. From a creatively rewarding and fruitful career - I believe this body of work to be one of my greatest achievements," said Robyn.

The event and the art were dedicated to raising funds for the Leukaemia Foundation. "Like many of us I have witnessed the devastating effects that cancer can inflict on families, friends and loved ones. It gives me great satisfaction to know that my art provides a medium through which I can assist in the endless battle against Cancer", said Robyn. Two memorial portraits of two significant women from the Illawarra, who lost their battles recently, were also painted and donated by Robyn in support of the Leukemia Foundation, via sponsorship from BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal as a tribute to their lives and in honour of their contributions to the area, in support of the cause.

Robyn wishes to thank her sponsors, who made this event possible: