Penelope Gilbert-Ng
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Penelope Gilbert-Ng Artist
Diploma of Painting, Fellow RQAS1, Master Pastellist Pastel Society of Australia
Penelope Gilbert-Ng ‘s journey as an artist started aged 3,Studied at East SydneyTechnical College late teens (Diploma of Painting, 1971) and furthering her development with her painting in isolation in Papua New Guinea (13 years). On returning to Australia 1986 studied with noted artists in Australia, New York (Pastel Society of America Scholarship), and New Mexico
(International Association of Societies Convention). Penelope believes that continual learning is essential for self-development as an artist. She is Past President of Pastel Society of Australia and Master Pastellist with the Pastel Society of Australia, Past President and Fellow of the Royal Qld Art Society and sought after tutor with Art Societies and Groups Nationally in all mediums. Penelope has been a finalist in the Archibald and Portia Geach Portrait Prizes and has had numerous solo and joint exhibitions. Her commissioned paintings are represented in corporate/ private collections worldwide. Winner of many competitions combining knowledge and dedication to her art has enabled her to judge shows since 2002. Penelope has written 7 articles for The Australian Artist Magazine (Dec 2000, March 2006). Australian Artist July 2009/ April 2011“How did you do that”. Portrait painting July 2012. May 2013 Acrylic portraiture. October 2013 Acrylic What comes next? Demonstrated (by invitation) at the International Association of Pastel Societies (Portraiture) May 2009 Albuquerque, New Mexico USA. Tutored for Artemis Art Tours Greek Islands October 2012. Tutored again for Artemis Art Tours Greek Islands May 2014.
Email: p_gilbertng@optusnet.com.au
ARTIST'S REASON FOR PARTICIPATING
The reason I am wanting to help this project is I love all animals and have wanted to paint these beautiful animals for some time. I have heard of their plight of environment dangers and stories of human conflict and feel artists can contribute with strong paintings for visual impact to make others aware of the threat to their environment. Some of my friends have visited these sanctuaries and I have been aware of the help being given. This will be my small gift to their survival. I thank Thomas Burns for his beautiful images that I may use.
RAHAYU
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From the Brink to Blossoming
Rahayu’s story is a testament to survival against impossible odds. When she was rescued by International Animal Rescue in April 2011, she was in a critical condition — blind, burning with fever, and clinging to life. Thought to be around one year old, she weighed just 4.3 kilograms and tested positive for cerebral malaria, one of the most severe and potentially fatal strains of the disease. With nystagmus (rapid eye movement) and signs of neurological damage, her prognosis was grim.
Rescued from the village of Dusun Pihik in West Kalimantan, Rahayu was allegedly “found” by villagers after a tree was felled. They claimed the mother abandoned her, but IAR staff knew better — orangutan mothers never abandon their infants. It was almost certain that Rahayu’s mother was killed.
Named after the Javanese word for "safe," Rahayu was given 24-hour care by IAR’s veterinary team, including fluids, antibiotics, and anti-malarials. Slowly, she began to recover. Her appetite returned. Her sight was restored. And with time, she joined the others in forest school.
Today, Rahayu is a calm, independent, and quietly charismatic orangutan thriving on Besar Island at IAR’s conservation centre. She’s known for her natural foraging talents, preferring wild fruits and even cracking open rotten branches for termites. Although she has some lingering visual impairment, she’s a skilled explorer and a candidate for eventual release. Her gentle spirit and maternal instincts even position her as a future surrogate for orphaned infants.
