The Artist

Acclaimed Australian artist Shane Moad was born in Manly N.S.W in 1959. He came to live in Western Australia in 1979.

Shane is of European/Scandinavian and Jewish heritage through his father. His ggg grandfather Aaaron Solomon arrived in Tasmania in 1812, one of the early members of the Jewish community in Australia.

On his mothers side of the family also of European decent (Blackman), he is 6th generation Australian and 5th generation on his fathers side. His Blackman ancestors were some of the first pioneers in Australia, helping found the towns of Mudgee and Orange in New South Wales. They had some of the earliest stations and farms in those districts and some members still live and farm there. Having this deep connection to the country Shane has always been moved by the Australian landscape..

Shane’s early life was spent as a Stockman (cowboy) on stations in Western Australia.

His love for the landscape is also driven by his faith in God. He sees the Creator’s involvement amongst all that he paints.

In 1994, four years after a major motor cycle accident, he found he had a talent in painting that was unknown to him until that time. Shane has had no formal instruction and continues to grow as an artist through observation and practice.

His desire in his work is to strip it to its essence as he enjoys taking a bear bones view of the landscape, leaving the viewer to interpret it as they will.

He has a strong colour content in his paintings with a “less is more” approach to what he is painting, giving a semi-abstract view of the landscape, always hoping to bring to the viewer another way to experience the scene.

Shane's artwork is in private and corporate collections throughout Australia, America, England and Asia, his style is recognised by leading authorities in the art world as quite unique in its approach.

He has also won “Cossack Art Award”, the nations largest regional art award twice in the landscape category, this award attracts artists the calibre of Ken Done, Sally Morgan, Larry Mitchell, John Borak and the late Elizabeth Durack to name a few.

Shane has been given awards by Alan R. Dodge, Past Director of the “Art Gallery of Western Australia”, Robert Juniper, esteemed Australian artist, David Walker, Adjunct Professor of Art, Curtin University, Robert Cook, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art at the Art Gallery of Western Australia and an art critic for The West Australian, plus many others.

Shane lives in the picturesque Avon Valley of Western Australia with his wife Valerie..