Bridget Levy
Silver Boats	Free Spirit

King Island is in my history. My family left England on the Tanui in 1886 and after a few false starts, arrived on King Island as seafarers and free settlers to take up land in 1895 - with their mother Elizabeth McKie Bowling. There were 5 boys and 2 girls. Fred Bowling the second eldest son was my Grandfather and with my Grandmother Ella farmed the Yellow Rock country for 25 years until Soldier Settlement took over. My Grandmother talked of the adventure and hence my love and fascination for the island - the tremendous courage, the loneliness, the pathos, the coastal hills, the sea, the amazing history and the pride. I try to do justice to the island and my family through my paintings. My present paintings are my interpretation of the King Island fishing boats - their individuality, comradeship, busyness and great character and pathos and of course the red Tahui 3.

Bridget completed a four Year diploma of Painting (1956 -1960) at Swinburne art School with Honours. She was the last student to go through the Arts School ad Laurie Pendlebury was the Senior Lecturer at that time.

Bridget exhibited her work in Tasmania in late 1960 and managed a Gallery in Mornington Peninsula until 1972.

Bridget and her husband decided to move to the peace and tranquillity of King Island after her husband became ill seven years ago. Here Bridget has found the inspiration to paint again.

She paints in oils and acrylic, and mixed media and exhibits and sells her work on King Island.

"King Island is in my history. My family arrived on King Island as seafarers and free settlers to take up land in 1886 - with their mother, Elizabeth McKie.

Fred Bowling was my Grandfather and with my Grandmother Ella, they farmed at Yellow Rock for 25 years, until Soldier Settlement took over. My Grandmother talked of the adventure and hence my love and fascination for the Island - The tremendous courage, the pathos, the loneliness, the coastal hills, the sea and the amazing history and pride. I try to do justice to the Island and my family through my arts."