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Anne O'Sullivan
Artist Statement
When I was at school, anything creative would make my heart beat faster. I probably started off painting many years ago in response to difficult situations in my life. I’ve always said that while some people paint their way into a corner, I paint my way out of one. My content hovers around the traditional trifecta – still life, portrait and landscape. I am interested in experimenting with colour, light, texture and luminosity. In the past, I have made forays into other Art media, but I always return to painting. So far, no other Art media can beat that primal contact with a canvas.
Biography
Anne O’Sullivan is a Toowoomba-based artist working primarily in the medium of painting. Her practice explores light, mood, and narrative through still life, landscape, and portraiture. With a background in visual arts and education, Anne has exhibited and curated exhibitions in Australia, Japan and South Korea. She was awarded the 2024 John Winn Memorial Emerging Artist Award and was runner-up in the 2024 Revival Emerging Artist Prize. After a period of personal and health-related challenges, she has gradually re-engaged with her art practice as a quiet, reflective process. Anne is interested in the therapeutic value of creative expression, particularly its role in supporting emotional wellbeing. Her work is grounded in observation and nuance, offering moments of stillness and contemplation.
Influences
Margaret Olley for her attention to detail, use of colour, painterly skill and bold compositions Francisco Goya for his ability to explore the depths of the human condition Frida Kahlo for her emotional honesty.
Exhibitions
2026 - Finalist Du Rietz Art Awards 2026 - Finalist Queens Wharf Brisbane Art Prize 2026 – Finalist Fairholme Open Art Prize 2024 - Toowoomba Grammar Art Show, winner of John Winn Memorial Emerging Artist Prize 2024 - Finalist and second prize winner, Revival Emerging Art Prize, Revival Art & Design Gallery, Albion, Brisbane 2024 - Finalist Petite Pieces, Aspire Gallery, Paddington, Brisbane. 2023 - Solo exhibition as Artist in Residence at CG Law, Toowoomba 2023 - Finalist, Fairholme Open Art Prize, Fairholme College, Toowoomba 2022 - Finalist, Redland Art Awards, Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland 2021 – 2022 - Selected artist, Facets of Fairholme, Fairholme College, Toowoomba 2020 – 2022 - Downlands Art Show, Downlands College, Toowoomba 2019 - Women’s Work, Petrie Terrace Gallery, Brisbane 2019 - The Light, Solo exhibition at Wendland Fine Foods, Toowoomba 2019 - Facets of Fairholme, Fairholme College, Toowoomba 2018 - Grammar Art Show, Toowoomba Grammar School 2017 and 2018 – Downlands Art Show, Downlands College, Toowoomba 2016 - Selected artist for touring exhibition of the Flying Arts Regional Art Award, Colours of Queensland. 2016 - After Hours, Solo Art Exhibition at Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery 2016 - Selected artist for group show Seasons of Mists, St Vincent’s Private Hospital 2015 - Fastplant, No Comply, Kontraband studios 2014 - Grammar Art Show, Toowoomba Grammar School 2013 - Not Your Day Job, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba 2013 - Finalist, Lethbridge 10000, Lethbridge Gallery, Paddington, Brisbane 2012 - Selected Artist, Imagine You Know, Toowoomba Biennial Emerging Artists’ Award Exhibition, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery 2012 - Finalist, Stanthorpe Art Festival, Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery 2009 - Toowoomba Grammar Art Exhibition, Toowoomba Grammar School 2007 - (Concepts for) Avant Garden, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery 2002 - Works for the Blues, Waterfront Place, Brisbane 1999 - Art as Art, Newspace, Sydney 1999 - Painting? Newspace, Sydney 1999 - Untitled, New Aesthetix gallery, Newtown, Sydney 1997 - Blue Mountains Winter Magic Festival, Katoomba 1996 - Coma 2, Polymorph Body Art Gallery, Newtown 1995 - New Art in Newtown No. 2, Newtown Public School, Sydney 1994 - Walking the Street, Newtown, Sydney 1994 - New Art in Newtown, Newtown Public School, Sydney 1991 - Woman Making Art, 24 Hour Art, Darwin
