AN exhibition of paintings – a tour de force of seascapes and flower studies – by Drewfus Gates of Viveash opens later this month.

Since 1982 Gates has become one of Western Australia’s best-known artists painting in oils, pastels and watercolours and in a wide variety of subjects.

He has won numerous awards including the America’s Cup prize and is a six times finalist in the Doug Moran national portrait prize - the richest portrait prize worldwide.

According to his biography in 2001, Gates was severely burned while on an art trip to a remote Aboriginal community in the Gibson Desert in Central Australia.

Despite burns to 35 per cent of his body and losing some of his fingers and toes he survived after 17 days in a coma.

Even as he was being burnt he vowed that if he survived he would become a great artist.

The numinous experiences he had in the coma he knew in some way had greatly expanded his consciousness in a way that would further influence his art.

The Rock of Defiance exhibition at the Gallows Gallery, 53 Glyde Street, Mosman Park opens at 6pm on March 27.

For more information call the gallery on 9286 4730.