Mayor Bill Gebhardt Opened the Art of Flower & Garden Prize 2026

01POST.COM— Indonesian artist Andrea van Diemen has reached an important milestone in her artistic journey in Australia with the official opening of her first solo exhibition, I Am Who I Am, at Burra Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) on 24 October 2026. The exhibition was officially opened by Mayor Bill Gebhardt, providing Andrea with an opportunity to introduce her artistic exploration across a variety of media to a wider audience.

For Andrea, the exhibition represents both a personal achievement and an opportunity to connect with art lovers through her creative work. As an emerging artist building her presence in Australia, she was deeply moved by the personal appreciation expressed by visitors who attended the opening.

“I was very touched that almost every visitor personally expressed their appreciation for my works, finding them different and unique,” Andrea said.

She added that several visitors were enthusiastic about learning more about the techniques and processes behind her creations, as they had not encountered similar works before.

The response was particularly meaningful for Andrea, allowing her to share the stories behind her creative process while introducing audiences to her distinctive artistic approach.

Exploring Art Through Different Mediums

In I Am Who I Am, Andrea presents a diverse collection of works spanning paintings on canvas and wood, creative textiles incorporating organic batik and ecoprint techniques, as well as her latest collection of handmade jewellery.

This diversity reflects her ongoing exploration of materials, techniques, colours and textures, often inspired by nature and the environment around her. For Andrea, art is not confined to a single medium but offers endless opportunities to experiment, learn and discover new creative possibilities.

Through this exhibition, she hopes to build greater recognition among art lovers, collectors and the wider community in South Australia.

“My hope after this exhibition is that more art lovers and collectors, as well as the wider community in South Australia, will come to know me as a mixed-media artist,” she said.

A Proud Milestone at Burra Regional Art Gallery

The exhibition holds special significance for Andrea as it is being presented in the Bence Room at Burra Regional Art Gallery, coinciding with the annual Art of the Flower & Garden Prize exhibition in the gallery’s Main Hall.

As an emerging artist, Andrea described the opportunity to exhibit at the gallery as a source of happiness and pride. The exhibition marks another important step in her efforts to develop her artistic practice and establish her presence in Australia’s art community.

Her journey has included participation in various art events and exhibitions, including the Auburn French Festival in 2023 and the Clare Show in 2024.

In 2025, two of her works, My Flowery Mind and Where Go My Golden Leaves, received recognition at the Art of the Flower, Paradise Lost and Found exhibition at Burra Regional Art Gallery. The works received the Highly Commended award and the Encouragement Award, respectively.

These experiences have contributed to Andrea’s continued artistic development, encouraging her to expand her creative exploration and share her work with broader audiences.

Bringing Batik to the Community in Auburn

Beyond the exhibition, Andrea is preparing for the next stage of her creative journey. She is currently setting up a private studio in Auburn, South Australia, with plans to begin offering batik workshops towards the end of 2026.

The initiative will provide an opportunity for Andrea to share her skills and introduce the art of batik to the local community. As a traditional Indonesian textile art, batik also represents a meaningful connection to her cultural heritage, which remains an important part of her identity while living and working in Australia.

Alongside preparations for her studio and workshops, Andrea is developing a new collection of paintings under the theme The Art of Life. The collection reflects her continuing artistic exploration and her desire to discover new ways of expressing ideas through art.

For Andrea, I Am Who I Am is not a destination but another chapter in a continuing journey of learning, creating and growing. The appreciation she has received from visitors provides encouragement to move forward, reach new audiences and further develop the diverse artistic mediums that define her practice.

The exhibition I Am Who I Am runs at Burra Regional Art Gallery until 18 December 2026, offering visitors an opportunity to experience Andrea van Diemen’s creative journey through works that reflect exploration, cultural identity and the courage to continue evolving as an artist.