
About Gitte
To me, my art is freedom. It’s a way of giving the subconscious a voice without the restrictions and demands of the mind. It enriches life; with untold stories, colourful quests and a place to let go.
I was born and raised in Denmark. Always an explorer of creative expression, growing up I would spend hours in my room drawing, painting and writing and later attended classes in any creative discipline I could find. In my mid twenties I completed a bachelor degree in Graphic Design (2002). This led to a committed practice of painting, born from the urge to break free from strict guidelines and conventional design, into a language of free expression.
Moving to Australia in 2005, I have held regular solo and group exhibitions and have been a finalist in a number of art prizes. Pursuing my interest in human psychology and behaviour, I completed a Bachelor of Applied Social Science (2010) and worked part time in the field of mental health and career development for a number of years, until art became a full time practice in 2016.
The abstract expressionist movement, as well as systems theory, chaos theory and the notion of happen-stance, have been major influences on my practice. It has pushed me towards raw spontaneous visual expression and continues to inform my work.
In 2017, having collected old and odd objects for years, I had my first exhibition of assemblage work. I continue to explore new approaches and have come to understand myself as a multidisciplinary artist.

Artist Statement
In creating there is freedom. It is an opportunity to withdraw from the busy world and let my subconscious express itself, without the restrictions or demands of the mind. It’s a place where I allow the process to unfold of its own accord and enjoy the untold stories that arise spontaneously. Letting go is a constant practice and I am committed to letting the unknown continue to enrich me.
By nature I am reflective – I observe and question the world and our roles in it. The artworks allow for quiet contemplation and wild rides, tapping into memories and conjuring imaginary landscapes and new questions. I am the curious observer – honouring the drive that continues to pull me forward to explore this bizarre and wondrous world we live in.
The abstract expressionist movement has had a major influence on my approach to art. It has supported my urge to create freely, exploring the process of creation itself, rather than aiming for a premeditated outcome. My interest in psychology has contributed to the reflective aspects of my practice and continues to play an important role in the narrative of my art.
It’s important for me to keep exploring and expanding my practice and I love introducing new materials and approaches in my work.
In 2017, after having collected old and odd objects for years, I had my first assemblage solo exhibition. This new area of my work allows me to build stronger concepts around my art. I find I can dwell deeper into my interest in human psychology and address subjects close to my heart relating to my curiosity about human behaviour.
Gitte Backhausen 2017
CV
SOLO Exhibitions
2018 Nuances of Life Shoalhaven Regional Gallery, Nowra NSW
2017 Re:Loved Little Blowhole Art Bar, Kiama NSW
2016 Ever-changing Little Blowhole Art Bar, Kiama NSW
2013 Pop Up Gallery at Challis Studio, Sydney
2011 Sydney Art Expo, Solo stall
2009 Forgotten World Global Gallery, Sydney
2008 Kringlen Galleri, Hune, Denmark
2008 The Intuitive Well Gallery, Sydney
2006 Foer Australien ‘KulturStationen’, Skørping, Denmark
2006 Colourful Stories Cafe Nostimo, Sydney
2006 Life’s Colours Art Moment Gallery, Sydney
2005 Artville Artshow Copenhagen, Denmark
2004 Variationer at ‘KulturStationen’s Galleri’ Skørping, Denmark
2003 Udtryk til Indtryk ‘Kvarterhuset’ Copenhagen, Denmark
Selected Group Exhibitions
2018 Everything in Between’Clifton School of Arts
2017 Finalists’ Group Exhibition, Northern Beaches Art Prize
2017 Summertime Little Blowhole Art Bar, Kiama NSW
2016 Finalists’ Group Exhibition, Blacktown City Art Prize
2016 Finalists’ Group Exhibition, Warringah Art Prize
2016 Finalists’ Group Exhibition, Waverly Art Prize, judged by Tim Olsen
2016 Kiama Art Society 38th Annual Exhibition
2016 Fresh Batch Platform72 Art Gallery, Sydney.
2009 Korea-Australia Exchange Group Exhibition by Seoul Art Centre,
Gongpyeong Gallery and Cross Bay Gallery, hosted by Global Gallery, Sydney
2009 Two Danish Artists, Helen Stephens Gallery, Sydney
2007 Group Exhibition with Global artists, Global Gallery, Sydney
2006 New Breed Global Gallery, Sydney
Prizes
2017 Finalist Northern Beaches Art Prize
2016 Finalist Blacktown City Art Prize
2016 Finalist Warringah Art Prize.
2016 Finalist Waverley Art Prize, judged by Tim Olsen
Education
2017 Hand Made Brushes and Mark Making w. Lorna Crane
2017 Painting Master class w. Roger Crawford, National Art School Sydney
2016 Mentoring with Pam Cowper
2015 Mixed media with Pam Cowper, Waverly Art School, Sydney
2014 Mixed Media with Joanne Mulcahy-Zubani, Sydney
2007-2010 Bachelor of Applied Social Science, Australian College of Applied Psychology, Sydney.
2004 Painting residency, Ærø, Denmark
1999-2002 Bachelor in Graphic Design, Seminariet for Formgivning, Denmark
1998 Drawing, design and visual communication, The School of Visual Arts, Copenhagen Denmark
1996-1998 Graphic Design and Visual communication Copenhagen Technical College, Denmark
1994-97 Various courses in Drawing, painting, sculpture and ceramics, Denmark
Commissions
2017 Private Collection, Darlinghurst, Sydney
2016 Private Collection, Lilyfield, Sydney
2008 Corporate research company, Sydney CBD
2008 Private Collection, Vaucluse, Sydney
2006 Private Collection, Bondi, Sydney
2005 Private Collection, Denmark.