Australia’s vast light has a piercing clarity that strips everything back to its essence. Decades on, Danish-born artist Ida Montague’s first impression of this light has filtered into a vivid command of colour and abstraction - an iridescent quality that now defines her practice.

This play of colour recalls Australian opals and reflects her earlier career as a gem merchant, exporting stones from Lightning Ridge. Working closely with miners who dug, cut, and polished, she classified, priced, and marketed these gems to clients in Japan, Hong Kong and the USA.

Montague’s dissection of light gives rise to evolving patterns across her chosen subjects. Early works focused on the statuesque form of Brahman cattle, encountered during her time in the cattle trade. Later, she explored the movement and prowess of polo - observed in Argentina, the UK, and rural Australia - drawn to the speed and pride of both players and ponies.

In recent years, her focus has shifted to contemporary colour studies of native Australian trees. Time spent in the Upper Murray region of New South Wales - with Mount Kosciuszko visible just beyond the front verandah - inspired works featuring Red River Gums, windswept Snow Gums, and the many forms of Eucalyptus. A notable exploration took place alongside the late John Landy MBE - Olympian, Governor, and botanist - during his research for Close to Nature.

Montague’s work renders the intensity of Australian light - a light that doesn’t soften but defines, casting deep shadows and illuminating fine detail. She unveils a full spectrum of colour, patterns of patina, and the enduring iridescence of this remarkable country.

2025

Ida Montague

Bach Visual Art. (Hons), JCU

Dip Art & Design, TAFE Qld

Cert Coloured Gemstones, GIA

Permanent Collections

The Australian Library of Art, The State Library of Queensland

Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra

Richard Gill School of Music, Muswellbrook

Sunshine Coast University Hospital

Townsville District Hospital

Australian Brahman Breeders’ Association

Private and Corporate collections: Australia, Argentina, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, France, Sweden, United Kingdom, U.S.A.

PORTRAIT COMMISSIONS

Ida welcomes portrait commissions in both her distinctive paintings on canvas, or her raw black & white, charcoal / graphite drawings on paper.  She has captured large characters such as Bob Katter MP, the late legendary musician, conductor and educator Richard Gill AO, to humble countrymen of the North. Commission pricing is determined by size, medium and format.

Studio visit by appointment - telephone +61 (0)450 355537