ARTIST BIO

Born in Velden Vils Bavaria in 1945 and named Irmgard Holzer.  At age 9 migrated to Australia and grew up in Leigh Creek South Australia and 3 years Boarding School St. Joseph's Peterborough.  The years spent in the far north of South Australia had a profound effect on the Artist and cemented her love of the outback and the vast arid landscape.  The family eventually moved to Adelaide.  Irmgard married in 1967 and two sons were born soon after.  In the 1970's  Irmgard took informal painting instruction from Nola Seidel and then in 1978 enrolled at the Stanley Street School of Art North Adelaide where she enjoyed classes in Art History, Drawing, Design and later at Elizabeth and O'Halloran Hill TAFE, Painting.

Two Tutors who had a lasting effect on her painting and drawing are Trevor Goulding and Dr. Jolly Koh.

Irmgard's first exhibition of drawings in 1981 were held at Megaw & Hogg Leigh Street Adelaide.  Her drawings were also shown at the Barry Newton Gallery Unley and the Greenhill Gallery North Adelaide.  Though working full time and raising her sons as a single Mother by this time, Irmgard continued to draw and show her work in Rotary Art Exhibitions throughout the State of South Australia, winning several awards.  At this time a change of name seemed appropriate and Irmgard adopted the abbreviation of Irma and her Mother's maiden name of Denk.

By 1992 Irma had moved to Mt. Compass where she lived for 10 years.  A chance encounter with a fellow artist led to painting lessons with Bill Buter of Goolwa.  So began the long association with Goolwa and in 2012 Irma joined a Cooperative of Local Artists whose Gallery is situated at 13 Porter Street.   Art@Goolwa as it is know, showcases the original varied works of creative, skilled Artists ranging from photography, paintings, ceramics, leather and fabric creations, jewellery etc.

Irma's latest solo exhibition "My Landscape" was held at the Murray Bridge Regional Gallery in March 2017.  

Irma is still a Member of Art @ Goolwa and currently Secretary on the Executive Committee.