Sculptor & 2D Artist
Bryan Shephard (or Sheppo to his friends) is a sculptor and 2D artist who breaks down barriers to artwork, making it accessible to the common man.
Growing up in Townsville, Regional Queensland, Bryan has always led an outside based life with sport, fishing, camping and going places on a bike filling many days. After school, Bryan completed a trade as an electrician, but during the late 80’s recession he took a scholarship opportunity to go to university and re-train as a Manual Arts Teacher in Brisbane. After university, Bryan, alongside his wife Tez, moved back to Townsville to take up a teaching job before moving to Charters Towers. It is a family point of origin and his years in the “Towers” are fondly held, with his first child, Liam, arriving in the Towers, and Joshua, his second, following shortly after as they moved back to Townsville. The next 10 years for Bryan saw workshop teaching, part time visual arts study at TAFE and then full time study at James Cook University, majoring in sculpture.
Bryan discovered that the practical skills he had gained along the way gave him the ability to visualise and manifest his thoughts and ideas. This period was a turning point and it was at that point Bryan realised a creative business was what he wanted to do with his working life. Teaching and a successful small building business in Brisbane had led him to this point. Several small group exhibitions and public art commissions, with finances dictating full time teaching to get his family through the school years, has led Bryan to Sheppo Art and Design. Over the years, he has filled sketchbooks with many ideas, designs, artworks and possibilities. These form the basis of future drawings, sculptures, paintings, prints, designed products and Public Artworks.
“One of things that makes Bryan’s work so appealing, is his ability to combine his background as a tradie and manual arts teacher to both construct and inform his work. There is much more to this Brisbane’s artists work than just a skilled and adept builder’s hand.” - Aspire Gallery
EDUCATION
Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training 2014
Bachelor of Visual Arts, James Cook University, Townsville 2005
Bachelor of Education, Edith Cowan University, Perth 1993
Diploma of Teaching (Manual Arts), Griffith University, Brisbane 1989
Trade Certificate III as Electrical Fitter Mechanic 1986
Certificate 1 in Construction
WORK HISTORY
Design Technology Teacher, St Benedict’s College & Relief work at St Edmunds College 2017 - Current
Self Employed in Hire a Hubby Franchised Small Business 2008 - Current
Design Technology Teacher, Anglican Church Grammar School March 2017 - December 2017
Year Level Coordinator / Industrial Technology and Design Teacher, Canterbury College January 2013 - December 2016
Design Technology Teacher, Nudgee College July 2012 - December 2012
Design Technology Teacher, Iona College January 2006 - June 2008
Contract Manual Arts Teacher, Various Contracts & Supply Locations February 2003 - December 2005
Vocational Education Co-ordinator / Year 9 Pastoral Coordinator / House Coordinator (Baillie) / Manual Arts Teacher, Ignatius Park College January 1996 - December 2002
Manual Arts Teacher, Heatley Secondary College (Ed Qld) June 1995 - December 1995
Manual Arts Co-ordinator / Head of Creative Arts (Manual Arts/Art/Music/ Home Ec) / Resident Boarding Assistant, All Souls’ and St Gabriel’s School September 1991 - June 1995
Manual Arts Teacher, Ignatius Park College July 1989 - September 1991
Electrician, LDH Electrical January 1987 - June 1987
Apprentice Electrical Fitter Mechanic, Norqeb January 1983 - December 1986
EXHIBITIONS
Exposing the Space, Solo Exhibition, Aspire Gallery 2017
Meta - with Anthony Cuthbertson, Umbrella Studio 2007
Electric Brew: 3rd Year Bachelor Visual of Arts, James Cook University 2005
Beyond the Facade - with Michael Schmid and Anthony Cuthbertson, Umbrella Studio 2005
Ongoing Group Exhibition, Casey's Deli Plus, 2004-2005
Arts Week Exhibition, Student Union Exhibition, James Cook University 2004
Members Exhibition, Umbrella Studio 2003
Arts Week Exhibition, Student Union Exhibition, James Cook University 2003
Limited Editions (Group of 8 Printmakers from Barrier Reed TAFE, Pimlico), Teakles Gallery 1997
AWARDS
Guest Speaker, Recycled Art, Morton Bay Boys School September 2017
Finalist, QLD Franchisee of the Year 2011
Finalist, QLD Franchisee of the Year 2010
Finalist, QLD New Franchisee of the Year 2009
First Prize, Graduating Year Sculpture, James Cook University 2005
Third Prize, Arts Week COMVAT - Sculpture, James Cook University 2004
First Prize, 1st Year Sculpture, James Cook University 2003
PUBLIC ART COMMISSIONS
Entrance Sculpture, Southern Cross Catholic College, Townsville 2016
Entrance Cross, Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Brisbane 2014
Entrance Cross, Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School, Brisbane 2013
PUBLICATIONS
No hiding behind this façade, Pg 41 of Townsville Bulletin 23rd September 2005
New Life for old parts, Pg 10 of Townsville Bulletin 15th September 2005
Available Works
Recently Sold Works
Want to see more from Bryan?
See more from Bryan’s Instagram, here.