"I appreciate the characters of the old buildings and observe the interesting people at the market and the dignity of the older folk. I record many of these observations in drawing and painting. Activity, changing light - the interplay of colour and shape has always interested me - the diversity of life is a visual stimulus.”

Angelo Quabba was born in Bione, Italy in 1952. “My passion for painting started at the age of 12 when my uncle gave me my first set of oil paints. From this point I had an insatiable desire to explore nature and learn everything I could about painting. I would spend hours in the countryside observing the form and colour of the lush mountain scenery near my home in Italy”.

In 1977 he held his first solo exhibition in Salo on the Lake of Garda in Lombardy, Italy. Successful exhibitions followed in the Italian cities of Brescia and Milan.

After having several successful exhibitions in Italy, Angelo visited Australia in 1977 and returned to settle in 1982 in North East Victoria. “I found a new horizon of light and colour, in Australia, different to the rich green of the Italian Alps where I grew up,” he said.

Angelo’s past credentials include first prizes in prestigious events including Silver Award at the Camberwell Art Show, Sherbrook Art Society, Wangaratta Art Society, Victor Harbor, Toorak College and awards in Bright and Rutherglen. He has also won the Sir Arthur Streeton Award, was a finalist in the Alice Bale Scholarship and has entered Archibald and Doug Moran portrait competitions.

Angelo has made his mark around the world, with paintings in private collections around Australia and in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, England, Argentina, Singapore and the US."