A Final Exhibition of Art and Resilience
After a lifetime dedicated to capturing the beauty of Tasmanian landscapes and earning international acclaim for her miniature artworks, artist Joan Humble is preparing for her final exhibition. At 88 years old, she has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Despite this, she remains determined to continue painting as long as she can hold a brush.
“I want to make the most of the rest of my time. I’ve got five commissions to do, so I’ve got to keep going,” Humble said. She believes that painting is keeping her alive.
“You can’t think about your body at all when you’re painting; you’ve got to concentrate on what colour you’ve got on your brush,” she explained. “Every brushstroke counts.”
Capturing Tasmanian Landscapes in Minute Detail
Humble is renowned for her miniature artworks, which capture vast wilderness vistas in tiny, intricate details. She explains that when viewing a miniature, the viewer sees the entire subject, meaning every element must be perfectly executed.
“Your eyes are not travelling around the painting; you can see exactly what’s in front of you, so it’s got to be right,” she said. In 2014, she won the Golden Bowl, the highest international prize for miniature artwork. The winning piece was a depiction of a scene from Tasmania’s South West Wilderness.
She has visited this remote location 16 times and plans to take one more trip. “It’s true wilderness, absolutely unspoilt, rugged,” Humble said. “I paint what I love. You can’t paint it if you’re not enjoying the subject.”
From Large to Small: Joan Humble’s Exhibition
Humble has completed an exhibition featuring over 40 works. It took her three years to create these paintings, which range in size from large to small, with some measuring just 10 centimetres by 5 centimetres.
The exhibition is currently on display at the Lady Franklin Gallery, located just outside Hobart. This historic building dates back to the 1840s and was constructed in the Greek Revivalist architectural style. It was privately funded by Lady Jane Franklin, the wife of Tasmania’s then-lieutenant-governor, Sir John Franklin.
Today, the space serves as the home of the Art Society of Tasmania. The vice president of the society, Vicki Chapman, praised Humble’s realist style of painting, particularly her depictions of Port Davey in Tasmania’s far south.
“They are very precise, and those who have been down there and know the area can pick exactly where it is,” Ms. Chapman said. “Joan is recognised for her miniatures all over the world. She’s exhibited in Russia, England, and Europe, and she is in collections all around the world.”
Ms. Chapman described Humble as an inspiration. “When you are driven and she is driven to get up and paint every day, what a wonderful way to live your life,” she said.
Gratitude and Reflection
Humble expressed her gratitude for her life as an artist, her “wonderful” husband, and her oncologist. “I look back and think of all the blessings I’ve had and the happiness I’ve had through my life,” she said.
“How you think about things makes a big difference. I could just sit in a chair and mope, where would that get me?” she asked. Her determination and passion for painting continue to inspire those around her, even as she prepares for the next chapter of her life.
