Tile graphic reading "Artist Spotlight: Briety" on a black background, next to a photo of Briety smiling while wearing her large handmade wearable headpiece with layered purple, yellow and teal petal shapes, with the Mai-Wel logo in the top right corner.

Mai-Wel Artist Spotlight: Briety 

At Mai-Wel, our Creative Arts programs give people the space to explore, create and progress their artistic skills, whether that’s one on one or in a group setting.  

We’d like to introduce one of our talented participant artists, Briety, whose vibrant, intuitive work has found its way into galleries across the Hunter region and beyond. 

An Intuitive Journey 

Briety’s artistic practice is a spontaneous and intuitive journey, transforming her thoughts and stories of her mind into vibrant visual works. “I draw or paint whatever comes to mind in the moment.” She explains.  

Lately, she’s been drawn to exploring spiritual themes in her work, particularly the ideas of protection and presence. She’s a multi-disciplinary artist, working across a variety of mediums including acrylic paint, inks and coloured pencils. 

Colour plays a huge role in her practice. Briety is deeply drawn to bold, expressive palettes, and purple in particular holds a special place in her work, bringing her a great sense of happiness every time she picks up a brush or pencil. 

This exploration came through most clearly in her assemblage piece “Angel Leg,” which was displayed at the MAC Yapang Art Gallery as part of the Muse exhibition, a showcase of supported artists from Mai-Wel exploring inspiration drawn from everyday personal life. 

Beyond the Canvas 

Briety’s creativity isn’t confined to paint and paper. In 2024, she took on the challenge of creating a large scale, tactile piece through her participation in the ‘Walls that Talk’ project, a Maitland City Council public art initiative which has been a key highlight for her. 

The project invited seven artists to become their own muses, drawing on their life experiences and creative journeys, turning traditional notions of artistic inspiration inside out.  

As part of this project, Briety designed and constructed a large wearable headpiece, a striking, hands-on piece that reflected her own story back to the Maitland community through a sculptural portrait displayed on the front wall of Maitland Library. 

A Growing Exhibition History 

Briety’s work sits alongside a rich history of exhibitions supported through Mai-Wel Creative Arts, including: 

  • I am….. (Walls that Talk) at Maitland City Council, Aug to Nov 2024 
  • Muse, Source of Inspiration at MAC Yapang, Lake Macquarie City Council, March to April 2024 
  • Connected to Nature at Maitland Regional Art Gallery 
  • Connected to Newcastle at Newcastle Museum 
  • A Sense of the City, in partnership with the City of Newcastle 
  • Welcome to the Jungle at The Hunter Artisan Gallery and Cafe, Maitland 
Abstract mixed media artwork by Briety titled Angel Wing, featuring a swirling dark navy and white marbled form beside a tall wing-like shape in bold purple, pink, yellow and orange stripes, with a red and white pointed tip.
Mixed media collage painting by Briety titled Blue Flower, showing a row of tall abstract flower stems in purple, red, green and blue against a pale blue background, with a yellow circular sun shape in the top left corner.
Acrylic painting by Briety titled Fairy Person, depicting a smiling pink and blue figure with a round face and dark wing-like shapes extending from the sides, painted on a gold background.
Photo of Briety wearing a large handmade wearable headpiece from the Walls that Talk project, featuring layered purple, yellow and teal petal-like sculptural forms fanning out around her face.

Catch Her Latest Work 

Briety’s work is currently part of our Unbound Art Exhibition. If you’d like to see her striking use of colour and spontaneous style in person, you’ll have the chance to view the collection on 24 September! Keep an eye on our events page for more details: maiwel.com.au/eventscalendar 

Mai-Wel’s Social, Community and Creative Pathways programs provide an avenue for people to explore, create and progress their creative skills, extending arts practice and access for artists with disability.  

We’re proud to support artists like Briety in sharing their story with the wider community.

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