Mark Friezer

Artist Statement

Mark Friezer’s art making practice reflects a process of letting go and discovery. He explores the uncertainty that comes with no longer leading a structured way of life. The result is an explosion of light, shape and colour. He deconstructs filmic images he has made of prosaic objects such as clothing and garbage. In his most recent paintings these objects float across the surface signifying a release of joy and colour. Influences from Baroque and Rococo can be seen in his work as his painting takes on a flamboyant quality – similar to religious ceiling frescoes where the viewer is immersed in a 360° spatial environment. These works focus upward – objects defying gravitational pull. He explores the often nebulous relationship of objects to the space they inhabit.

His extensive use of layering and masking creates a kind of hybrid – in effect part painting, part painted collage and part print. The result is layered paintings which contrast gestural elements against sharp edged linearity and figuration against abstraction. The paintings become uncertain and beg questions of the viewer – is it reality that is depicted or is it a contrivance?

Mark has works in private collections, including Clayton Utz, Sydney and the Australian Taxation Office, Canberra. He was hung as a finalist in the Dobell Prize for Drawing in 2006 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Biography

Mark Friezer is completing a BFA in painting at the National Art School. He was born in 1961 and lives and works in Sydney (Gadigal).

Prior to beginning study in 2022 Mark was a leading tax lawyer, being a partner for over 20 years in Clayton Utz, a top tier national law firm. He holds the degrees of Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws from the University of New South Wales and a Master of Laws from Sydney University.

For many years Mark combined art practice and education with his legal work.

He has regularly taken part in group shows and art competitions. In 2006 he was a finalist in the prestigious Dobell Drawing Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales with his work Weatherstorm. He has been highly commended at the Waverley Art Prize (2000) and was awarded the Sydney Long Prize for etching at the Julian Ashton Art School in 1998 and 1999.

Mark has pursued art educational opportunities in Australia and overseas. He has attended many short courses at both Julian Ashton Art School and at the National Art School as well as several independently run workshops. He has also studied overseas, including at the New York Studio School (Drawing Marathon (2000 and 2025) and Painting Marathon (2002)) and he has attended the Slade Summer School Painting Program in London (2007).

His works are in several private collections. Notably his large-scale drawing Weatherstorm is in the collection of Clayton Utz, Sydney. His portrait of former Commissioner of Taxation, Mr. Michael D’Ascenzo, hangs in the Australian Taxation Office headquarters building in Canberra.

Curriculum Vitae

Born 1961

Lives and works in Sydney (Gadigal)                                                                    

 PRIZES AND AWARDS

• Finalist Dobell Prize for Drawing, 2006 https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/dobell/2006/28421/
• Waverley Art Prize (highly commended), 2000
• Sydney Long Prize for Etching (Julian Ashton), 1999
• Sydney Long Prize for Etching (Julian Ashton), 1998

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

• “Second Life”, Atherton Street Gallery, 2024
• “Hard Currency”, NAS exhibition, 2024
• “Love”, Goodspace Gallery, 2024
• “Body”, Little Yellow Studio, 2023
• “Tenements”, Goodspace Gallery, 2023
• Dobell Prize for Drawing, AGNSW, 2006
• Real Refuses, 2002
• Mosman Art Prize, 2002
• Julian Ashton Students and Teachers Exhibition, 1998-2002
• Waverley Art Prize, 2001
• Waverley Art Prize, 2000
• Images of the Cross Art Prize, 2000

COLLECTIONS

Clayton Utz, Sydney

Australian Taxation Office, Canberra

Various private collections