An art exhibition from heaven — celebrating Irene Brewer

Her daughter, Kath Tracey, saw the exhibition space empty, thought of her mother, and decided to celebrate the prolific artist she was.

“I feel really pleased to have my mother’s art on display; it’s a way of honouring her,” Ms Tracey said.

Born in 1908, Mrs Brewer was a “talented and gentle lady”.

“Hardworking and kind”, Mrs Brewer worked as a telephonist at the Moorilim Hotel, near Murchison, and at an Arcadia store before opening her own dressmaking and children’s wear business opposite the Shepparton Post Office in the early 1930s.

Mrs Brewer was a source of inspiration for many. When her husband passed away at 53 in 1951, the mother-of-six was left to raise her children, aged 4 to 17, on her own. Determined to keep her family together, Mrs Brewer worked at SPC during the fruit season, making dresses from home while attending her children’s sporting activities.

“She was a lovely mom and a lovely grandmother,” Ms Tracey said.

Since family duties kept her busy, Mrs Brewer was a “late bloomer”.

Ms Tracey recalled an occasion when she was out mushrooming and her mother was minding her son. Mrs Brewer let her imagination run free and drew a horse’s head in the sand while playing with the boy.

“That’s how it all started; it went from there,” Ms Tracey said.

Mrs Brewer started painting and became a prolific self-taught artist in her late 70s.

Dreamy landscapes full of promises, carefully captured portraits and the study of delicate flowers — Mrs Brewer’s undeniable talent allows us to connect to her, grasp the softness of her personality and serve as a link between heaven and Earth.

“Painting became something she did to fill her time,” Ms Tracey said.

“When we discovered her talent, we thought she should take art classes, so she did and continued on from there.”

Ms Tracey shared her delight in knowing that her mother had something that gave her such joy in her twilight years.

When Mrs Brewer passed away in 1997, her artwork went to her son. Mrs Brewer’s boxes of artwork went to Ms Tracey when her brother died.

Although Mrs Brewer didn’t like unnecessary attention, Ms Tracey said honouring the memory of her late mother by displaying her art was important.

When asked how she thought her mother would feel about the exhibition, Ms Tracey’s response perfectly captured the personality of Mrs Brewer.

“I think she would be perhaps embarrassed. And surprised,” Ms Tracey said.

“But then I think she’d be pleased as well. To be able to see it all.

“Talented, she really was.”