First Impressions | Curated by Friends of Felix Borsari

A graphic drawing of a Pink Orchid with a deep green coloured background and a square border around the image in yellow and orange

Swiss born Felix Borsari migrated to Australia in 1967, at age 22. He worked as a graphic designer, art director and lecturer in typography in Melbourne before being drawn to live in the Eltham region in 1975, making homes in Panton Hill, St Andrews and Smiths Gully.

Felix saw his new surroundings through fresh eyes and captured his ‘First Impressions’ in art works that displayed a sense of immediacy and precise visual acuity. His artworks are inspired by the forms, colours, contrasts and lines of his surrounds, capturing their essence with stark economy of line and a sense of emotion and authenticity.

Felix’s passion for the natural environment led to his discovery of a treasure trove of wildflowers near Panton Hill. His artistic impressions of the wildflowers and the annual guided walks he held at their sites resulted in the establishment of Nillumbik Shire’s ‘Felix Borsari Wildflower Walk’ reserve, where an enormous variety of wildflowers remain permanently protected.

Marking 25 years since his tragic death in 2000 and curated by Friends of Felix Borsari, this exhibition celebrates the natural environment of the Nillumbik Shire, with occasional nods to the built environment.

Image Felix Borsari Sketchbook
Courtesy of Friends of Felix Borsari Incorporated

Access

Accessibility information:

ambulant/wheelchair accessible toilet
accessible parking
ramps available

About the space:

all gender toilets
cooling/heating
family friendly
free space
LGBTIQA+ friendly space

A drawn orange flower with vibrant colours in the background

An image of two framed works. The left a drawing of colourful gum trees, the right a print of blue flowers

An image of three framed works and some items inside two plinths with perspex tops. The works are inspired by the local environment.

Image credits
Left: Wallflower Orchid - Felix Borsari Sketchbook.
Middle and below: Install photos First Impressions exhibition 2025, ELCG by Greenlight Media