Bess O’Malley is an artist based in Canterbury and Petersham, NSW. She has a BA and an MA (art) from COFA, graduating in 1993. Bess has utilised her highly developed creative skills to keep her whole life art-based, employment, painting career and lifestyle. Aside from working in the studio, Bess co-founded the public art group Hotbed Designs in 2000. Hotbed is renowned for creating public art educating urban communities about their backyard ecosystems through the use of mural art. Bess has also worked extensively for Local Government bringing cultural services to the community, managing large-scale public art projects and delivering community festivals. All contributing to 20 years experience, designing and enacting cultural programs, events and exhibitions.
In November 2011, Bess established Newsagency Gallery in a light filled old Shop at 332 Stanmore Rd Petersham in Sydney’s Inner West. Newsagency Gallery regularly hosts curated group exhibitions as well as solo shows by emerging and established local, regional and international artists. Newsagency Gallery has hosted 70 successful exhibitions and put on some of Sydney’s best known gallery parties.
Bess has always maintained her practice and education, completing Master Painting courses with Rodger Crawford (NAS), at National Art School 2010, achieving a Certificate 3 in Renaissance Studies at the AGNSW, 2012, sculptural carving, etching, felting, kiln glassware and ceramic short course, always enhancing her Medieval skill set.
Bess returned to the studio and full-time professional practice in 2018, culminating in her solo show ‘Full Bloom Tea House’ in 2019.
Bess is married to respected Geo Chemist, Dr Trent Allen, mother of fashion model and musician, Vincent O’Malley and lives in Canterbury surrounded by her extensive collection of Australian and Asian art. Her work has been exhibited in Australia and overseas and is included in private collections and academic transcripts.
Recent Studio Practice 2010-2020
- 2010 Group Show, ‘REFORM’, The Laboratorium, Surry Hills, Sydney.
- 2012 Group show ‘BIRDS’, Newsagency Gallery, Petersham, Sydney.
- 2013 Group show ‘SHIPS’, Newsagency Gallery, Petersham, Sydney.
- 2014 Group show ‘SEMI PRECIOUS’, Newsagency Gallery, Petersham, Sydney.
- 2019 Solo show ‘FULL BLOOM TEA HOUSE’, Newsagency Gallery, Petersham, Sydney.
- 2020 Spring Love Large scale commission,
- 2024 OUTLOOK -Contemporary Australian landscapes Newsagency Gallery, Petersham, Sydney.
- 2024 When the world slowed down – art made during lock down Newsagency Gallery, Petersham, Sydney.
- 2024 Habitat – group show at 107 Space Redfern, Sydney.
Hotbed Designs, Selected Works (2004 – 2015)
- 2002-03 South Sydney Council, Eco Mural Program, 3.6 x 8.8m murals at Redfern, Alexandria, Waterloo, St Mary’s, Newtown and Darlington Primary Schools, Sydney.
- 2004 Leichhardt Council – Whites Creek Mural Program, 3.6 x 8.8m mural at Annandale and North Annandale Primary Schools, Sydney.
- 2004 Connecting with the Living Soil Mural, 30m x 1.2m mural, Mount Annan Botanic Gardens, Sydney.
- 2005 Water Tight Mural Program, 2.5m x 14m mural on plastic rainwater tanks, Observatory Hill Environment Education Centre, Sydney.
- 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 & 2014 CarriageWorks Sydney Children’s Festival Murals, various dimensions, Redfern, Sydney.
- 2009 Catchment Connections, stormwater pollution education mural, 48m x 1.2m mural, City of Ryde, Sydney.
- 2010 Eden Gardens Centre, Our World Alive, 67msq mural and workshop program with Ryde Council, Sydney.
- 2011 North Sydney Council Rainwater Mural, 90 x 2m mural, Forsyth Park, Neutral Bay, Sydney.
- 2014 Seymour Centre Children’s Festival Mural, 22m x .9m mural, The Seymour Centre, Darlington, Sydney.
Professional Experience
Hotbed Designs
Co-Director, Project Manager, Artist. December 1999 – present.
Hotbed Designs deliver environmental education programs using the visual arts. Subject matter has included stormwater pollution, biodiversity, composting, waste management, and clean energy. Much of their work focuses on the protection of native urban wildlife and ecosystems. Hotbed Designs produce curriculum-based lesson plans, workbooks and colouring-in-competitions. They specialise in creative re-use workshops, employing safe clean materials to make art. Whenever possible they aim to utilise 100% recycled design materials in their workshops.
City of Sydney
Cultural Programs Coordinator, (children 5–15 years). February 2004 – 2014.
Responsible for the City’s cultural development program for children, Bess led a team of art tutors to design and deliver creative activities for term and holiday periods. Additionally Bess coordinated the City’s annual World Environment Day Fine Art Competition and Exhibition. She also curated a number of exhibitions at the Pine Street Gallery Space.
Sydney Children’s Festival at CarriageWorks
Visual Arts Producer. 2008, 2009, 2010.
Bess’s role was to design, staff and manage a range of visual arts and crafts workshops for 12,000 children and families over two weeks. She conducted leader programs including: Sydney Inter Schools Sculpture Program (10 schools over ten weeks created 20 large sculptures depicting native wildlife and plants). Working Title Words was conducted at 6 venues across NSW, involving 250 children, producing 120 large artworks featuring words – forming an enormous story.
Newsagency Gallery Petersham
Owner/Curator 2011 – present.
Newsagency Gallery regularly hosts group exhibitions as well as solo shows by local, regional, interstate and internationnal artists. Bess’s role as gallery founder is to curate shows, deal fine art and host launch events. www.newsagencygallery.com.au