On "The Heysen Trail"

I majored in sculpture at North Adelaide and Sydney College.

My art practice encompasses a broad range of art activities including drawing, sculpture (abstract and realist) painting, collage, teaching, and public sculpture projects.

The realist paintings are concerned with the effects of light reflected from objects and were done from life in a single session.  It is important to me that the paint is allowed to build up and move in a loose way that keeps the work accurate and fresh.  The direct visual engagement with reality is what interests me.

The abstract paintings relate to figures and landscape. Colour is used as a dramatic device and some geometric symbols form metaphors for spiritual qualities that I perceive in the land.  I attempt to build up layers of meaning in a combination that will continue to unfold in complexity with each contemplation.

The sculptures can be viewed as three dimensional drawings using the thrust and delineation of steel to shape the space in and around it.

Figurative motifs are used as expressive symbols to carry spatial and material qualities past the resistance of non recognition.
The figure sculptures are informed by classical notions of posture and proportion.

"The way light falls on things is what really gets me going," says Roland. "Even in the man made environment the way light falls has a beautiful ease about it. Light never makes things look hard and sharp, shadows seem to fall softly and elucidate forms; their beauty emerges."

"Showing my art is as important as the stretcher or the easel. There is no use hiding it under my bed.

When I show my work to people it makes it better, regardless of whether they like it or not. Their perspective lets me view what I create differently. Art has become so much a part of my life; if I haven’t painted or sculpted for a while I feel unwell."

Roland paints from life in a single session. His abstract works show the influence of European and American modernist artists and attempt new directions through the use of colour and spatial order.

Roland Weight studied art at Kingston CAE, North Adelaide School of Art and Sydney College of the Arts. After gaining experience creating and exhibiting sculpture he began running art workshops in painting, drawing and sculpture. He has recently been working on a series of community art projects and public sculptures in South Australia.

Roland's art practice is diverse and includes sculpture, realist and abstract painting, drawing, collage, community art and teaching. He has received many awards and prizes and exhibits in Adelaide as well as interstate.

Roland lives with his wife, Lise Temple , in the Clare Valley. He is highly acclaimed and recognised as a painter, sculptor and teacher. He has frequently worked with community groups on art projects, public sculpture and events in recent years.

Roland has won many well known art prizes in recent years. He is also a well loved and highly successful and influential art teacher.

Roland’s sculpture reflects his appreciation for found materials which he manages to piece together with incredible grace and delicacy. Recently one of his insect sculptures was highly commended in the prestigious and competitive Waterhouse Art Prize.

‘My representational paintings are concerned with the effects of light and are usually done from life in a single session. The foundations of this tonalist painting tradition are European. This is why the idea of painting there as well as seeing the galleries is so attractive. The paintings created in Europe in the three months I was there are the record of a practical, technical and emotional struggle with travel, baggage, unfamiliar mediums and excitement’

Roland’s qualifications are numerous;

2000: Commenced Bachelor of Arts, Department of Social Inquiry, The University of Adelaide.

2000: Advanced Diploma, Fine Art, North Adelaide School of Art.

1989-1990: Studied bronze casting techniques, Manar Foundries, NSW.

1987: Studied Sculpture Performance, 3 D Computer Drawing, Sound and Video. Sydney College of the Arts.

1984-1986: Diploma, Fine Art, studying Drawing, Ceramics, majoring in Sculpture, North Adelaide School of Art.

Selected Awards

2007 Highly commended, The Waterhouse Natural History Prize

2007 First prize, Painting, Campbelltown Art Prize.

Winner Flagstaff Hill Rotary Art Prize.

First prize, works on paper, Murray Bridge Rotary Art Prize.

2006 First Prize "Places" The South Australian Story, Royal S.A. Society of Arts 150th Anniversary Exhibition, Adelaide, SA.

2002 Finalist, The Fleurieu Peninsula Biennale.

1986 Winner, John Olsen Prize, Stanley Gallery, North Adelaide.