Up close with champion galloper

Immersed in the equine world with a thoroughbred-trainer father, Ms Nolen was taught to respect and maintain a safe distance from horses.

‘I shared a horse with my sister but I never really gave myself to the experience because I was quite fearful of them,’ she said.

It was a love of craft that developed into a career in fine art and also led to Ms Nolen becoming an accomplished portrait artist.

Ms Nolen recently reconnected with her equine past by painting a series of portraits of Australia’s most famous racehorse Black Caviar.

Her solo exhibition, Up Close will go on show at the State Equestrian Centre, in Brigadoon, next month.

‘My brother’s son Luke was Black Caviar’s regular jockey and in early 2011, I had an opportunity to paint the pair,’ she said.

‘She is all-powerful, the experience was extraordinary.

‘Just knowing the impact the horse had on so many people of our nation, I felt privileged to have had that connection.’

Undefeated in 25 races, Black Caviar was retired earlier this year as the greatest Australian thoroughbred racehorse.

At her retirement, she was considered to be the best sprinter in the world.

Ms Nolen says ‘she changed the face of racing.’

‘People had a new understanding and grew to acknowledge the racing industry, so to have such an iconic horse in our century and for me to have that re-lived in another capacity is extraordinary,’ she said.

Included in the exhibition is a portrait of well-known WA equestrian identity, Les Bunning and his horse.

All works in the exhibition are for sale.

DetailsWHAT:Up Close solo exhibition, by RoslynNolenWHEN: October 2-6, 9am-5pm dailyWHERE: State Equestrian Centre, 303Cathedral Avenue, Brigadoon