Allegories – Recent paintings by Nick Dridan
Published on 21 May 2025
An exhibition of stunning new paintings by artist Nick Dridan will be launched by Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Councillor Grace La Vella at 2pm this Saturday 24 May at Central Goldfields Art Gallery. Everyone is invited to attend.
Nick Dridan lives in Amphitheatre, in the nearby Pyrenees Ranges and grew up on a farm in the region. He draws on his memories and direct observation in his creative method. This show comprises paintings that Dridan has made specifically for this exhibition, along with other works.
Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Councillor Grace La Vella said it is fascinating to see one artist expressing their vision using the different styles of watercolour, oil and acrylic painting.
“You can see our familiar landscapes in Nick Dridan’s work, but there’s also a sense of another world in how he brings it to us. There’s a strange beauty that he sees in the scenery, often with a story being told or a message being conveyed.”
“This exhibition is the perfect Autumn artistic and social experience, highlighting the cultural richness of this part of Victoria and steeped in Nick’s imagery and colour.”
Artist Nick Dridan said diving deeper and conveying a message from beyond the surface is an integral part of his work.
“I've always been drawn towards narrative, as I think most of us are. We are a story telling species and perhaps a part of us needs that. These works contain more symbols and allusions to universal ideas and themes, however I would hesitate to say explicitly what every motif or image means, because I think a lot of art making decisions stem from the subconscious, and the end results are best left as a bit of a mystery to not only the viewer but the artist as well.”
Nick Dridan is represented by Australian Galleries Melbourne/Sydney and BMG Art Adelaide. Central Goldfields Art Gallery is proud to profile the work of leading artists from the region and this is Dridan’s first solo exhibition at the Maryborough gallery.
Dridan sees the exhibition as “fitting” as he “spent many of my younger and teenage years going to school in Maryborough, so as a place it's featured significantly in my life. And actually the first time I exhibited work after university was in a large group show at Central Goldfields Art Gallery in around 2013. I was invited to exhibit a couple of small works there. Then in 2016 I had a two person show there with artist friend Harley Manifold. So it's nice to be coming back around 10 years later with some new works, a bit nostalgic in a way.”
Dridan has a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Fine Arts), with Honours from the Arts Academy at the University of Ballarat.
The exhibition opening will be a relaxing and enjoyable occasion and a special opportunity to meet the artist, who will also speak at the opening. Refreshments are provided and this occasion promises to be an event not to be missed. Art works will be for sale. The exhibition is free to visit and will be on display at Central Goldfields Art Gallery until 5 October 2025.
Central Goldfields Art Gallery is in the Old Fire Station, 1 Neill Street, Maryborough.
The Gallery is open from Thursday to Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm, and entry is free.
For more information, visit www.centralgoldfieldsartgallery.com.au
For more information and interviews, contact Central Goldfields Shire Communications and Engagement team at media@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au