Entertainment
13 July, 2025
For Joanne’s love of animals
AN exhibition showcasing the quiet nobility of animals, both wild and domestic, is currently on display in the heart of Cairns.
‘For the Love of Animals’ by local artist Joanne Bingham is the latest feature at Crystalbrook Bailey’s hotel lobby gallery and will run until July 31.
Known as one of Australia’s leading equine and animal artists, her works are brought to life through delicate watercolour, detailed graphite, coloured pencils and expressive ink.
Ms Bingham, who won a Cairns Art Society Art Award in 2023, has artworks held in private collections around the world.
Originally from the UK, she has called Cairns home since 2005 and says the Far North’s creative energy continues to inspire her work.
“Cairns is an incredibly creative city, scratch the surface and you’ll find so many passionate artists and creatives living and working here,” she said.
“As an artist of domestic animals, I’m inspired by what I see around me, from cattle dogs to Brahmans.”
Her deep love for animals, particularly horses, has shaped her artistic practice since childhood.
“I have been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember and I trained as an illustrator, hence my love of details,” Ms Bingham said.
“I have always loved animals, especially horses, and they have always been my subject of choice.”
In addition to her studio work, Ms Bingham is a passionate mentor, regularly running workshops across Far North Queensland.
She teaches all skill levels in watercolour, drawing and mixed media and serves on the committee of the Cairns Art Society, where she supports emerging artists.
“I teach most weekends around Far North Queensland, both as an independent teacher and under the banner of Anna Jane and Co,” Ms Bingham said.
“I teach from beginners to those with more experience, mostly watercolour, but also drawing, collage and coloured pencils.
“I have a lot of industry experience and love helping those artists who are just starting out, anything from framing advice to getting an exhibition together.”
With her artworks held in private collections around the world, Ms Bingham sees this exhibition as a tribute to the animals that play such an important role in our lives.
‘For the Love of Animals’ is free to view at Crystalbrook Bailey, 163 Abbott Street, until July 31.
To explore her work online, visit https://bit.ly/4lJ3eoH
