Artist Colleen Southwell

Delicate, ethereal, and finely detailed, Colleen’s works encourage the onlooker to slow, look closely, engage the imagination and connect with the cycle of life around us. Her meticulous art-making process requires her to do the same.

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The Artist’s Practice

Drawing on a background in horticulture and landscape design, Colleen’s unique art practice is a celebration of nature, both wild and cultivated.

Her delicate three-dimensional paper sculpture and mixed media works are reminiscent of herbarium, entomology and ornithology specimens.

Each finely drawn, painted and assembled piece is mounted onto paper using entomology pins, giving the appearance of floating. The delicate nature of the works and transient play of shadow signifies the fragility of the subject.

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From Garden Maker to Artist

Colleen’s artistic practice has grown from a lifelong connection with gardens, landscapes and the natural world.

Beginning her career in landscape design and horticulture, she developed a unique way of seeing — observing the details, patterns and rhythms within cultivated and wild environments.

Unfurl

Colleen's inaugural exhibition Unfurl in 2018 marked the beginning of her growing art practice, becoming a sell-out exhibition and establishing the foundation for her work as a full-time artist.

Since then, Colleen’s work has been exhibited across Australia, New Zealand and the USA, with pieces held in private collections internationally.

Upcoming Exhibitions

Past Exhibitions

Heart Place

A group exhibition with artists Colleen Southwell, Skye Bragg, Georgia Bragg, and writer Maggie Mackellar

Corner Store Gallery

22 May - 2 June 2024

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Untethered

Grace Cossington Smith Gallery

4 - 26 November 2022

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Repose

Repose

Suki and Hugh Gallery

10 September - 16 October 2022

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Artisans in the Gardens

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

26 March - 3 April 2022

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In Safe Keeping

Corner Store Gallery

17 - 28 November 2021

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The Shadow of Wings

Solo Exhibition

Suki & Hugh Gallery

2020

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Into the Wilder

A sellout solo show at The Corner Store Gallery

Corner Store Gallery

2019

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Unfurl

Colleen’s inaugural exhibition, Unfurl, was a sell-out. A joint exhibition with friend and sculptor, Peter Worsley.

Corner Store Gallery

2018

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Awards & Recognition

People’s Choice
Favourite Artist, Artisans in the Gardens, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney (2023)

York Botanic Art Prize
Finalist (2021)

Little Things Art Prize
Finalist, Saint Cloche Gallery NSW (2019)

Pro Hart Outback Art Prize
Finalist, Broken Hill Regional Gallery NSW (2019)

Beautiful Bizarre Magazine
Top 100 Paper Artists (2019)

Little Things Art Prize
Finalist, Winner of the Viewer’s Choice Award, Saint Cloche Gallery NSW (2018)

Commissioned Works

Colleen creates bespoke paper sculptures for private collectors, interior designers and considered spaces.

Her commissioned works are held in private collections throughout Australia and internationally, including commercial spaces such as the exclusive The Fifth Hotel, Fifth Avenue New York.

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