Art Of Roscoe

A Studio Gallery in Adelaide's Heart

Art of Roscoe is an intimate studio gallery located in Lot 14, Regent Arcade on Rundle Mall in the heart of Adelaide, South Australia. This distinctive space functions as both a working artist's studio and curated exhibition venue, welcoming visitors during core weekday hours from 10.00 am to 3.30 pm, with additional viewings available by arrangement. The location places the gallery at the intersection of Adelaide's vibrant retail and cultural precinct, making it easily accessible for those exploring the city's art scene.

The gallery's positioning within Regent Arcade creates an unexpected discovery for art lovers wandering through one of Adelaide's most iconic shopping destinations. This setting reflects the gallery's philosophy of bringing authentic Australian art directly to the community, rather than retreating into isolation. The studio nature of the space means visitors often encounter the creative process firsthand, as Roscoe Shelton ventures into the Australian landscape periodically to capture new experiences and translate them to canvas, making each visit a unique encounter with a working artist's evolving practice.

Landscapes of the Australian Outback and Coast

Art of Roscoe specialises in capturing the power, geology and shifting light of Australia's most evocative landscapes. The gallery's offerings span from the remote beauty of Arkaroola in South Australia to the striking coastal formations stretching from Broome in Western Australia to Cactus Beach. Roscoe's practice draws deeply on decades spent traversing the outback—from his time as proprietor of the iconic Flinders Camping to extensive road trips across South Australia and the Northern Territory with the Michigan Solar Car Team. This lived experience informs paintings that convey authentic depictions of the land's raw character: the contradictions of harsh desert juxtaposed with fleeting moments of transcendent beauty.

The artist's realist approach translates the geological drama of Central Australia—the West MacDonnell Ranges, Palm Valley, and landscapes west of Alice Springs—onto canvas with meticulous attention to colour and reflection. Roscoe draws inspiration from Albert Namatjira's groundbreaking depictions of the desert, bringing his own contemporary sensibility to scenes where morning and evening light transform cliff faces, where desert clouds gather after sparse rain, and where water briefly carves beauty through ancient gorges. His seascapes capture the interplay of colour and reflection in shallow waters and along coastal headlands, inviting viewers to experience these remote realities as witnesses to nature's enduring power.

A Collective of Resident and Guest Artists

Beyond Roscoe's own practice, the studio gallery functions as a collaborative space for accomplished contemporary artists. Patrick McGirr works as an artist in residence, bringing his distinctive photo realism technique to canvas with striking technical precision—his works capture moments in time and place with an immediacy that captivates viewers. Lisa Barter, another resident artist, produces landscapes reflecting the Australian environment with a similarly accomplished eye for light and composition. The gallery also features works by Li Peng, an internationally acclaimed photographer whose aerial photographs of Kati-Thanda have been innovatively printed onto aluminium and stainless steel, creating a striking contemporary counterpoint to traditional canvas works.

The gallery's curation extends to historic works from the Art of Roscoe private collection, including high-quality reproductions from The Clarice Beckett Collection. These works have been featured in major exhibitions at the Art Gallery of South Australia and The Geelong Art Gallery, and are now brought to wider audiences through photographic canvas reproduction in original sizes. This curatorial approach—blending Roscoe's original landscapes with works by resident artists and historic reproductions—creates a rich, layered exhibition experience that speaks to multiple dimensions of Australian art practice.

Regular Exhibitions and Accessible Art Formats

Art of Roscoe refreshes its studio gallery display every four to six weeks, providing regular opportunities to encounter new works and returning favourites in person. This exhibition schedule ensures that both established collectors and first-time visitors can engage with freshly curated selections, with the added benefit of viewing works before making purchase decisions. The rotating displays maintain momentum and encourage repeat visits, while the artist's periodic absences—when Roscoe ventures into the landscape to capture new material—become part of the gallery's authentic rhythm, reflecting the commitment to authentic fieldwork that underpins the entire body of work.

Beyond Original Works: Prints, Reproductions and Cards

For visitors seeking to take home a piece of the gallery's aesthetic without investing in original artworks, Art of Roscoe offers a curated selection of prints and greetings cards featuring both Roscoe's landscapes and Clarice Beckett reproductions. Prints include favourites such as Shelley Beach at Manly in New South Wales, several studies from Arkaroola, and the beloved Birkenhead Bridge painting. High-quality photographic canvas reproductions of historic works are available in original sizes, alongside more compact print formats, ensuring that the gallery's vision of Australian landscape art remains accessible across different budgets and interior spaces. This multifaceted approach to art distribution—from museum-quality originals to approachable greetings cards—democratises access to the gallery's core artistic vision whilst maintaining rigorous standards of reproduction quality.