Annie Holcombe and Libby Hobbs have been invited to exhibit at the 2018 Art Naif Festival in Katowice, Poland.

Curated by internationally-acknowledged Australian naïve artists Wayne Elliott and Marie Jonsson-Harrison, this year’s exhibition will showcase Australian artists.

Annie was approached for the opportunity after Wayne came across her work on Instagram. 

More than 30 artists from around Australia will join Annie and Libby.

Annie said she was excited to exhibit on an international scale for the first time in her artistic career.

“I’m excited to represent the country,” the Bowral resident said.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet as I’ve been busy with my full-time job, but I’m sure it will kick in when I fly out on Saturday.”

“It will be good to get some travel time in with my husband while I’m over there too. It’s been a while since we’ve traveled.”

The former industrial city of Katowice has been transformed into an arts destination over the last 20 years.

It now boasts one of the largest international festivals of naïve art in the world.

This unique festival will bring together over 300 self-taught art naïf, naïve art, outsider, raw, art brut and primitive artists from around the world.

Thirty thousand visitors saw the 2017 festival and transformed Katowice into a hive of artistic fever.

Annie and Libby, whose work colourfully celebrates the Australian landscape and culture, will travel to Europe at the beginning of June to represent the region in Poland.

Their journey follows Australia’s long tradition of naïve artists who have created artworks that display their own personal interpretation of Australian life such as Sam Byrne, Henri Bastin, Lorna Chick and Ian Abdulla.

This new wave of Australian naïve artists is now making its mark at an international level and shows the world Australia’s landscape, culture and story.

Each of this year’s Australian exhibitors will bring their own unique interpretation of life in Australia through visual narratives.

Annie said she will showcase her take on the Australian country which is the reason a majority of her artworks feature a red tractor.

“I grew up on a farm so a lot of my paintings focus on the busy country life and beaches,” she said.

“They’re happy and fun and tell a story. They’re not a painting with dribbly art.”

Annie has also painted the Bradman Oval many times. 

Meanwhile, Libby’s artworks will focus on the Dreamtime. 

The diversity of these artists will create a rich tapestry of colour that reflects Australia to the world.

Several artists have painted maps of Australia to be displayed as part of the festival.

The artists will exhibit in Poland from June 8 to August 10 at the Wilson Shaft Gallery.