Gemma has over 28 years’ industry experience. Beginning at Spowers Architects, Gemma then went to work as an Executive PA at Telstra, before moving on to KPMG, Melbourne University, ANZ Bank and Western Mining Corporation. She also worked for Kraft Foods marketing.
She travelled extensively through Europe and Asia in the mid 90’s where she took in the great European collections. Based in London for two years she was immersed in the Brit pop explosion.
Returning from London she completed a Music Business course. Following her studies she managed several acts at many Melbourne venues and began painting in her spare time.
ARM Architecture hired her as public relations manager to co-ordinate events and assist Director Ian McDougall. Surrounded by creative people at the top of their game, Gemma ramped up her painting.
Gemma held her first solo exhibition of 18 works called ‘First’ in 2003 at the Level 11 Gallery, Flinders Lane. ‘My Magnolias’ from this exhibition now hangs in the Peter MacCallum Hospital collection. Her painting ‘Taller Poppies’ was pre-selected for the prestigious Cromwell’s Art Prize in Sydney, then sold at auction.
In 2003 Gemma undertook ‘Designs in Drawing’ course at RMIT University. She completed her diploma of Visual Arts at RMIT in 2005, majoring in printmaking & painting.
Gemma exhibited her printmaking series ‘Breathe’ at Art Holes Gallery in 2005. Also a printmaking series, ‘Chandeliers’ was Gemma’s second solo exhibition at Carlow House.
Gemma has travelled through Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, Mauritius, Indonesia and Malaysia, taking in the art of those countries. In addition to her fine art she has designed a line of children’s giftware for interior design and décor boutique Moss Melbourne.
Gemma's successful 2014 solo exhibition ‘Perfume' saw paintings delivered to Melbourne collectors including fashion icon Adele Palmer.
February 2015 saw the collaboration between Gemma Donnellan & Christine Cropley in 'Aphrodisiac Abstraction'. Held In a Pop Up Gallery in a newly renovated classic art deco building in North Melbourne. A fabulous opening night and a short 2 day exhibition
Gemma showcased part of her perfume series at the 'Sagra Salon Show' June - August 2015, alongside a variety of artists at Sagra gallery & restaurant Malvern. Gemma's perfume paintings were also showcased in the Toorak Village Art Walk in 2015.
2016 saw Gemma make her first entry into the famous Archibald Portraiture Prize, although not in the final selection, her portrait 'Amelina' of Master Perfumer Emma J. Leah was shown on National television.
Gemma was approached by US clothing company VIDA to launch her first fashion collection using her perfume bottle paintings, which is currently available on-line.
Gemma is passionate about painting, printmaking and of course perfume. She loves to cook and entertain, and she believes in good food, friends and family. Gemma lives in Melbourne with her husband, architect Chris Hose Director of Williams Ross Architects, and their nine year old daughter Estelle.
Gemma Donnellan
Visual Artist Melbourne
RMIT, Diploma of Visual Arts, 2005
RMIT, Designs in Drawing, 2003
Solo Exhibitions
2016 – ‘Archibald unveiling’ Gallery 550
2014 - ‘Perfume’ Gallery 550
2006 - ‘Chandeliers’ Carlow House
2005 - ‘Nature’ Feeling For Life
2003 - ‘First’ The Level 11 Gallery
Group Exhibitions
2017 - Canterbury Art Show
2017 - Sorrento Art Show’
2016 - Belle Arti Art Prize Chapman & Bailey
2015 - Swan Street Studios Artists Exhibition’ Gallery 550
2015 - Toorak Village Art Walk
2015 - Sagra Salon Show
2015 – ‘Aphrodisiac Abstraction’, with Christine Cropley
2014 - ‘Scope’, Melbourne Pavillion
2013 - Swan Street Studios exhibition, Gallery 550
2006 - Camberwell Art Show
2005 – RMIT Graduate exhibition, Fitzroy Gallery
2005 - ‘Breathe’ Printmaking series, Art holes Gallery
2005 - Visual Art & Performance Exhibition, Shift#1
2001 - Fundraising Charity Ball, Mary McKillop Foundation
Competition Finalist
2014 - People's Choice Award, Kennedy Art Prize
2004 - ‘Cromwell’s Art Prize’ Sydney, sold at Cromwell’s Auction
2004 - ‘She’ The Walker Street Gallery
2001 - ‘Love Exhibition’ 4 Cats Gallery
Collections
2014 - Adele Palmer private collection ‘Estelle’
2004 - Peter MacCallum Hospital Collection ‘My Magnolias’
Precious Gem Designs
2006-2013 - Designer range of Children’s gifts, exclusively for Moss Melbourne, St Kilda | 
