Above: Angela Roesler, Recovery, 2022, acrylic on canvas, 30 x 30cm. Left: Angela Roesler, No escape (detail), 2022, acrylic on canvas, 30 x 30cm. Photos by Michelle Dohnt.

Mallee Soul celebrates regional artist Angela Roesler’s love for and connection with the Southern Mallee. It explores moments in time and her sense of belonging.

Growing up in the Southern Mallee, family farms were her childhood playground: climbing trees and sheds for the best places to view the goings on in the scrub and the vastness of paddocks. Remembered as a magical time, seeing the wonder in everything and everybody continues to inspire her.

Deeply influenced in her youth by artistic people around her, creativity became a constant in Angela’s life. A passion in her ignited when she was introduced to painting at a community art class with Rosa Milano in 2008. Experiencing the joy in placing a loaded brush on the canvas, compelled her to develop an art practice that evolved to paint in acrylics on paper and canvas, exploring ways to capture her love of the Australian landscape and its many aspects.

In between life events, Angela returned to her practice, using various mediums to make jewellery and acrylic pours, hand-paint pots and greeting cards, as well as nature-inspired artworks. Developing skills and knowledge with workshops and short courses spurs experimentation in her practice.

Angela currently lives and works in Murray Bridge. Presenting stalls at various markets, she has connected with many people who engage with her practice. Her artwork has also featured in the 2009 Mannum Show, the 2011 SALA exhibition Connected in Mannum, and the 2021 Rotary Art Show at Murray Bridge Regional Gallery. Her artwork is also available at the Murray Bridge Regional Gallery Shop.