The fairy tale world and the beauty of manicured gardens and flora will be explored in two PhD exhibitions that open at the University of Newcastle Gallery this week.

Postgraduate student Francesa Bell will exhibit illustrations she created for her husband Adrian Bell’s first novel Mother Moth.

Bell recreates the fairy tale world in her PhD exhibition Illustrations for Mother Moth and has painted canvases and cellos used by her musician husband, with mystical themes from the novel.

Graham Marchant’s postgraduate exhibition Outside Interiors and Inside Gardens, explores gardens and patterns of manicured spaces, both inside and outside.

The artist, who completed his Masters in the United Kingdom, has won several awards and has completed artists’ residences in Paris, Italy Spain and New York.

Both students are exhibiting their works as part of their PhD studies at the University of Newcastle.
Outside Interiors and Inside Gardens and Illustrations for Mother Moth will be exhibited at the University Gallery from Wednesday 25 May to Saturday 11 June 2011.

A cello performance by Mr Bell, of a composition for the Illustrations of Mother Moth exhibition, will be held at the University Gallery at 3pm on Saturday 28 May.

For photo and interviews opportunities: University of Newcastle Art Curator, Gillean Shaw, on 02 4921 5255.