About Ffyffe

He became a member of the Third Order of the Carmelites and served as president of the local chapter of the Knights of St, Columba for many years. He led several pilgrimages to Walsingham dressed in medieval monks’ attire to raise money for women in need.

His journals reveal his deep engagement with questions of faith, humanity and self-realisation. This spiritual introspection informed much of his work including his haunting and thought provoking series from the 80’s and 90’s that grappled with the problem of evil in the world. Warehouse A (1995) a commentary on the Bosnian genocide, stands as one of his most harrowing and impactful pieces. At all times his art reflected his pilgrim journey of faith.

Yet, with the same tools at his disposal, he could capture the transcendent beauty of the human form and spirit through his portraits and his study of the human body. Upon the advice of Lamont Gallery, Ffyffe painted many nudes which were commercially appealing in the late 90’s and were the subject of a solo show ‘Studio Secrets’ in 1998.

Ffyffe’s artistic talent and dedication began to gain recognition in the 1990’s.   He won a number of National Competitions, notably the Discerning Eye in 1995 and his works drew the attention of notable art critics Edward Lucie-Smith and the late Daniel Farson who introduced him to the London School. He held several successful solo exhibitions at the now defunct Lamont Gallery from 1998-2004.

In 2001, his exhibition ‘Sunburnt Country’ focused on the harsh beauty and ancient deserts of the Australian outback. Said Ffyffe,  “In my work, I am trying to express the spiritual search countless explorers have made in my country, looking for the answers to the big questions.” 

Ffyffe’s next major works were his Allegorical and self-reflective pieces, on the artist as fool and alchemist, which explored the quixotic life of the struggling artist in all of its pathos. These works, though occasionally whimsical, invite the viewer to reflect deeply on what it means to live authentically. His later allegorical works, modern takes on the Greek myths, display his growing mastery of both technique and composition, and reveal his philosophical insights into universal tropes of love and free will. These works were exhibited in a solo exhibition ‘The Artists as a Fool… and his Muse’ in 2004.

Terry’s penultimate series The Passion of Christ (2011 – 2012), consisted of a dozen large confronting canvases, showing his deep identification with the humanity and humility of Jesus in his suffering. These works are powerful testaments to his faith and ability to confront the profound mysteries of life and death.

His final series, Cosmic Art…Painting the Light (2014 – 2016) saw Terry re-engage with the marbling techniques he was engaged with in his early career in Australia.  This vibrant and celebratory collection explored themes of creation, light, and the interconnectedness of the universe, culminating in a major solo exhibition in 2016. 

Ffyffe’s works are often confronting and at times sombre, always beautiful, and forever eliciting further insights, challenging the viewer to look beyond the surface and discover deeper meanings.