08.04.2019 - By Maria Stoljar
Nicole Kelly is one of Australia’s most interesting emerging artists. Her landscapes and portraits are filled with reminiscence and emotion.
She’s had 10 solo shows, has won the coveted Brett Whiteley travelling art scholarship, Hurford Hardwood portrait prize, as well as other prizes, and has been finalist in many others.
I spoke with her in her studio in Sydney where she was creating work for her November show with Arthouse Gallery in Sydney. We also filmed some video on that day which will be uploaded to the website soon.
Nicole grew up in the Sutherland Shire in southern Sydney and now lives in Thirroul, south of Sydney. She didn’t paint or draw much as a child and in fact was more interested in photography in high school and particularly the work of Bill Henson.
After school, encouraged by photographer and academic Ella Dreyfus, she decided to apply for the National Art School.
Press play beneath the feature photo above to hear us talk about her time at National Art School, in Paris and a lot more about her paintings and process.
Upcoming exhibitions
Solo show, Arthouse Gallery, Sydney, 7-23 November 2019
Group show, Portia Geach Memorial Award, SH Ervin Gallery Sydney, current until 15 September 2019
Group show, ‘Southern Swell’ Hazelhurst Regional Gallery, Sydney, 23 November 2019 to 2 February 2020
Group show, ‘Love’, Tweed Regional Gallery, Murwillimbah, 6 September to 17 November 2019
Show Notes
Nicole Kelly
Nicole Kelly on Instagram
Nicole Kelly at Arthouse Gallery
Nicole Kelly at This Is No Fantasy
Bill Henson
Ella Dreyfus
Willem De Kooning
Chaim Soutine
Alberto Giacometti
Frank Auerbach
Rembrandt
El Greco
Tom Carment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6yRDLvAeGA
‘An Amorous field’ 2018, oil on polyester, 183 x 236cm
‘Jumaadi + Clouds + Rain’ , 2017, 150 x 130cm, oil on polyesterWinner of Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize 2018
‘Studio nude (self portrait)’, 2019, oil on polyesterFinalist 2019 Portia Geach Memorial Award
‘Lauren’s song’, 2018, oil on polyester, 107 x 112cmFInalist, Black Swan Portrait Prize 2018
‘The last of the day runs pink’ 2019, oil on polyester, 122 x 122cmSalon des Refuses, SH Ervin Gallery, 2019
‘Bedroom Window (Lauren and Poppy), oil on polyester, 122 x 123cmFinalist, Vincent Prize 2019