Bruce Malloch.
Camera IconBruce Malloch. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Artist Bruce Malloch celebrates with Leeuwin Exhibition

Tanya MacNaughtonEastern Reporter

A SUCCESSFUL career as an artist is all about getting a lucky break and being in the right place at the right time according to Bruce Malloch.

At least that was his experience as the Cottesloe-born, Nedlands and Gooseberry Hill-raised artist reminisced about his life while preparing to celebrate his 80th birthday on May 4.

“I was born during the war years and it was my older brother Peter who was the artist of the family,” Malloch said.

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“He had the talent but unfortunately at the time wasn’t able to go to art school.

“When my turn came along, I was able to go to art school for a couple of years and became the artist in the family; Peter eventually became an art restorer in London.”

Following many years as a graphic artist in Perth, Sydney and London, Malloch returned to his home state and decided to take the plunge into fulltime painting.

“In those days, graphic art was all catalogue and newspaper work, anything from shoes to fashion illustrations,” Malloch said.

“Photography was being used but not to the same extent as drawing.

“I had a few friends around me at work who could have made it as painters but were very sceptical.”

Malloch said his interest in painting the Australian landscape and its people was sparked by spending time “up north for awhile jackarooing”.

He now lives in Esperance close to his daughter and grandchildren, but it was while living in Dunsborough when he was first approached by Yallingup Galleries to exhibit his work.

He continues his relationship with the gallery this weekend, exhibiting 22 works in the Leeuwin Exhibition alongside pieces by Cate Edwards, Ian Dickinson and Chubby Button.

“They’re mainly small works because I don’t like getting stuck into big paintings these days,” Malloch said.

“I like to be able to start something and finish it in the one day.

“A lot of artists dabble in one medium, and do very nice jobs of it too, but I like to diversify a bit, trying pastel, oil, watercolour and acrylic.”

THE ESSENTIALS

What: Leeuwin Exhibition

Where: Yallingup Galleries, 134 Marrinup Drive

When: February 27 to March 9