Mary Cottam is an accomplished painter whose artistic journey has spanned more than six decades and several countries.
Mary began studying painting and pottery in the United Kingdom during the early 1960s, completing studies towards the National Diploma in Art and Design. During her time in England, she exhibited widely and received a number of awards for her work, establishing a strong foundation in both technical skill and creative expression.
In 1981, Mary moved to Abu Dhabi, where she continued to paint and exhibit. The region’s distinctive landscapes, atmosphere and community offered new inspiration and expanded the visual language within her work. After relocating to Australia in 1987, Mary continued exhibiting throughout Sydney and further developed her connection to the Australian landscape.
Light is central to Mary’s creative practice. Whether working with landscapes or portraits, she is drawn to the way changing light can shape colour, reveal character and transform the mood of a scene. Her paintings encourage the viewer to pause and notice the atmosphere, detail and quiet beauty held within a particular moment.
Through a lifetime of observation and painting, Mary’s work reflects experience, curiosity and a deep appreciation for the world around her. Her paintings are now exhibited at Scapes of Art, where visitors are invited to discover her distinctive interpretation of light, landscape and character.
