Carmen Cilliers

Born in 1973, South Africa, Carmen Cilliers has always had an eye for the colourful, creative, and whimsical.

In 1993 Carmen graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Fashion Design (3 year full-time) from Cape Town Technicon (Tafe) and prior to the lure of travel in 1997 built her career in the competitive world of fashion as a designer.

In 2000 Carmen moved to Australia and found herself working in the Financial Services Industry.

New Years resolutions of January 2007 was a time for honest reflection and Carmen realized it was time to ‘down’ the tools of the corporate world and follow her creative passion as life was no longer feeling fulfilled or meaningful.

In the short space of two years Carmen has participated in numerous group exhibitions. She has recently been awarded “Highly Commended Artist” at the Margaret River Rotary Awards for her painting “Life Saving Trials” and upon recent invitation from ‘Elite Art of Africa’ in Florida Miami is currently exhibiting paintings in their gallery.

Carmen quotes: “My new tool boxes are filled with a wonderful array of paints, brushes and palettes which allow me to discover that when I create I am able to connect to a world that extends beyond my physical self. I am able to journey into the universe and set my imagination free and relive memories that are personally sacred or have long been forgotten and breathe fresh life into them. Painting allows me to travel the journey of self discovery, the archetypes within are given a voice, old wounds are able to be healed and a sense of oneness with all around me and contentment with self is present.”

Carmen is continuously experimenting with a variety of styles and themes but says that of late she is drawn to pure colour, simple shapes and gestural marks and endeavours to create a body of work that is honest, raw and expresses a sense of childlike naivety.

To create is to journey. When I create, regardless of the tools at hand, my unconsciousness gives way, and for a brief moment I am conscious and connected to a world that extends beyond myself.

When I paint I am able to journey into the universe and set my imagination free. I am able to relive memories that are personally sacred or have long been forgotten and finally breathe fresh life into them.

Through my art I can travel the journey of self discovery, the archetypes within are given a voice, old wounds are able to be healed and a sense of oneness with all around me and contentment with self is present.

I believe art is energy and energy is life.

My wish for you as the viewer is that you allow yourself the freedom to be immersed in the energy of my work, allow yourself to journey. Let whatever emotion, thought or energy is within you come to the surface and savour the moment.

RotARTary in 2008

This event was held again in the main hall of the Margaret River Cultural Centre, over the Foundation Day long weekend 31 May to 2 June 2008. There were a record number of entries (270) giving a very impressive display of work from artists based from Augusta to Perth to Esperence.

The theme for 2008 was "Water"

PRIZES & SPONSORS 2008 ...

and the judge ... Sharon Tassiker, Director of Holmes a Court Gallery, also "Highly Recommended":

"Life Saving Trials" by Carmen Cilliers


The Margaret River Rotary Club thanks all sponsors, participating artists and the general public for supporting the exhibition. Altogether during the weekend about $8,000 was raised to help fund Rotary's many community, national and international projects.

Learn to paint with acrylics at Sunday Session painting workshops facillitated by artist,Carmen Cilliers. The first workshop costs $100 and includes all materials. The price is negotiable there after depending on the individuals requirements.

Workshops are held at the Kent Street Studio in Victoria Park, Western Australia. Bookings are essential.

Inquiries are welcome - please call +61 8 9470 5520