Lucy Culliton – Finding Beauty in the Everyday
Lucy Culliton’s Eye of the Beholder exhibition is a celebration of her vibrant career as one of Australia’s leading contemporary painters. Known for her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to elevate the everyday into extraordinary works of art, Culliton’s work spans subjects as diverse as farm animals, landscapes, and still life. We spoke with the artist about her inspirations, process, and connection to her subjects.
The exhibition spans your career and features over 100 works. How does it feel to see so much of your journey in one place?
Lucy Culliton: It’s both overwhelming and deeply satisfying. As an artist, you’re always moving on to the next thing, so having a chance to step back and see everything together is rare. It’s like walking through a visual diary of my life—every painting connects to a specific time, place, or feeling.
Your subjects range from animals and landscapes to still life. How do you choose what to paint?
I paint what I love and what’s around me. My animals, my home, the landscapes I live in—they’re all part of my world, so they naturally become my subjects. There’s something magical about taking the ordinary and seeing it anew through paint. I want to share that sense of wonder with others.
You have an incredible eye for detail, especially in your still life and animal portraits. What draws you to these kinds of works?
It’s the intimacy, I think. When you spend hours painting an object or an animal, you notice things you wouldn’t normally see—the curve of a petal, the texture of fur, the way light shifts across a surface. It’s like getting to know the subject on a deeper level, and I hope that comes through in the paintings.
You’ve been described as a painter who draws direct inspiration from your immediate environment. How does your lifestyle influence your art?
Completely. I live on a farm surrounded by animals and nature, and that’s the heart of my work. Whether it’s the sheep grazing in the paddock or the quirky antiques I’ve collected over the years, everything around me feeds into my paintings. It’s a simple life, but it’s rich with inspiration.
Winning the Mosman Art Prize in 2000 was a turning point in your career. How did that moment shape your journey?
It was huge for me. Before that, I was painting mostly for myself, and the win gave me the confidence to keep going and put my work out there. It opened doors, but more importantly, it validated what I was doing.
Your work is often praised for its emotional connection and warmth. How do you infuse your paintings with such feeling?
I think it comes down to painting what you love. When you care deeply about your subject, it shows. I also spend a lot of time with what I paint—whether it’s my dog or a vase of flowers—and that connection naturally translates onto the canvas.
You’ve been a regular finalist in major Australian art prizes like the Archibald, Wynne, and Sulman. What do these accolades mean to you?
It’s always an honour to be recognised, especially alongside so many talented artists. But for me, the real joy is in the making. Awards are nice, but they’re not the reason I paint.
What do you hope people take away from Eye of the Beholder?
I hope they feel a sense of connection—whether it’s to the landscapes, the animals, or the still life subjects. My goal is to share the beauty I see in everyday life and remind people to slow down and appreciate the world around them.
Lucy Culliton: Eye of the Beholder
Saturday 20 September – Sunday 30 November
Showcasing over 100 works, the exhibition is a comprehensive survey of Culliton’s career, highlighting her versatility and passion for capturing the extraordinary in the ordinary.
