Bio

The Artist Vanie56           Grant van Cuylenburg

A Melbourne born artist, Grant van Cuylenburg studied under renowned landscape exponent John Borrack and later in his career, under Jane Andrewatha, before experimenting with his own vivid style, which reflects  his love and training in biology and the natural environment.

Exhibition of his vibrant “rain forest and oceans"series sold out, with many of Grant’s originals now residing in Britain, Germany, the U.S. and Australia, including commissions for Comalco, Data General, TTLine and Australian Airlines.

The overwhelming success of this series resulted in an invitation to exhibit in Stuttgart and in 1990 Grant moved to Europe, (and used the sojourn to visit his parents’ countries of birth). Grant’s father was of Dutch/Sri Lankan extraction and the journey began in Sri Lanka, followed by India and Nepal, then heading onto Europe and Grant’s mother’s birthplace in Southern Austria, before settling in Stuttgart, Germany.

The influence and diversity of people and places Grant encountered on this journey evolved into the Journey Through Windows Series which was successfully exhibited in Stuttgart and the following year in the gallery of the Ottenstein Castle near the Austrian Czech border.

After a year in Germany, Grant moved to Andalucia in the South of Spain and continued to paint with his work being exhibited in galleries along the Costa del Sol.

Returning to Australia, Grant rediscovered Melbourne anew. In his absence it had become a vibrant city geared to sporting and cultural events, with bustling promenades and a café culture.

The new aspect on his own country as seen through the artist’s eyes, is reflected in the versatility of his works of the time, expressing a diversity of subjects and themes.

Since the late nineties Grant has lived on Phillip Island, a source of inspiration in its changing ocean moods. Grant works in this region and exhibits locally, and is well known amongst locals for his depiction of the natural environment of the island.

A complete Gallery of works can be viewed at vanie56 on facebook and Instagram.