We are proud to present art from the final works of Roy S. Hollis. At the time of his passing in June 2018, Hollis was running his own art studio and twice weekly classes for budding artists. However his immersion in art started when the 12-year-old from the rough and tumble of South Melbourne in the 1950s won his first art prize, comprising 10 shillings and two movie tickets.
Hollis was largely self-taught until the early 1980s when he studied under Greg Jorgensen at his Buckley Street Gallery in Essendon. Here he set out to learn the methods and techniques of the Old Masters. Art tutoring and sales continued throughout his career ranging from small, bespoke galleries to the larger autumn and spring shows around Melbourne.
Life slowed in 1999 when retirement beckoned due to the debilitating illness of Gillian Barre Syndrome. While travelling Australia’s east coast, he turned to writing poetry as a way to maintain dexterity in his arms and hands, ultimately self-publishing this collection of works.
But the artist life again beckoned, leading Hollis to establish his own gallery and studio in Hervey Bay, Queensland. By now moving at a very gentle pace, the beauty of his paintings intensified as he permitted himself to step away from the world and the chronic pain of his illness as he lost himself for days at a time in his art.
Many believe his final paintings are his very best, full of love, beauty, pain and even mischief. | 
Roy Hollis in Camberwell Art Show