Cottesloe born artist Bruce Malloch was one of the first professional artists in WA in the 70’s a brave move in what were hard times for artists.
Bruce Malloch was a trend setter in the 70’s and began the movement in Western Australia towards professional artists ‘coming out’ after two very tough decades during the 1950’s and 60’s when paintings just didn’t sell in Perth.
Bruch jokes about other artists being encouraged by his brave move and who often laughingly said ‘Well if Bruce can go professional then I will give it a go’ and Bruce comments ‘some of them did a lot better than I did too.’
After 35 years in the business Bruce hit many highs and lows in his career and remembers his humble beginnings;
‘My Mum put me through Art School and in those days no one trained as professional artists – my brother who was 8 years older than me was gifted and was self-taught and went on to be an art restorer – and when I qualified there were only 3 art studios in Perth.’
When the mining boom hit that was when art work became a popular asset and sales went through the roof once people had money to purchase a luxury item – art.

‘Most people had prints on their walls but when money came to WA through mining that changed quickly’ Bruce Malloch explains.
Highlights of the last 35 years for Bruce was being the first to take that risky step befo9re anyone else in WA as a professional full-time artist, working for himself, which created a successful career that meant he had a choice of where to live.
After arriving in Esperance to be closer to family Bruce reflects that live has slowed down and he is quite content with that.
‘I enjoy having a gallery at home and being a part of the Esperance Art Trail, I have the odd exhibition and sold around 70 – 80 paintings at the last one so I can’t complain’.
In describing his work Bruce says he has a traditional style with varying content –horses, cattle scenes from living up North and painting bar room scenes that could never keep up with demand.
Although retired now Bruce still opens his very full and interesting gallery to tourists and interested people and loves to donate work to charities around Esperance.