ABOUT THE ARTIST
Leni Kae is a multidisciplinary Australian contemporary artist and illustrator based in Sydney's Inner West. Her colourful artworks are an aesthetic and emotional journey captured through colour, flowing patterns, linework, and dripping paint; infused with the symbolic attributes of the subject and composition.
The self-taught artist has started oil painting at age 9, extending her practice to acrylics, watercolours, illustrations. Kae's artwork styles too, have evolved over the years, with each series carrying its own unique styling quality. "Art is an expression of the soul's journey; and as I evolve, so too does my art", says Kae.
Early influences included the greats such as Matisse, Dali, Duchamp; her artworks today reflecting their inspiration of her bold colour use, application of symbolism, and movement captured through linework. Her current abstract landscape series "Healing Landscapes" explore a connection to place; the real and the imagined. The series draws visual inspiration from the post-impressionist movement and the works of van Gogh and John Russell. In this series, we see Leni Kae apply her studies in Colour Therapy to instil symbolism and an emotional response in her works.
The commonality across each series, is an underlying desire to reinforce connection; both within the self, as well as with others. Whether it is connection to place, the spirit of an animal, or connection to a colour, there is an inherent message to remember our universal connection through emotion, memories, desire, dream.
"Art Inspires us to visit the concept of 'Unity' and see ourselves and part of a bigger universe" - Leni Kae
The unique nature of each new collection has attracted the attention of international audiences, with exhibitions across New York, London, Varese, Bologna, Barcelona, Florence as well as locally across Australia. In 2016 Leni Kae was a finalist in the Brisbane Art Prize, and the Lethbridge Small Art Prize.
ARTIST EXHIBITIONS, AWARDS, PRIZES
MEMBERSHIPS
• NAVA Member (Australia)
AWARDS AND PRIZES
•(2016) Finalist, Brisbane Art Prize ‘In Eden, Where Dreams are Born‘, AUS
•(2016) Finalist, Lethbridge Small Art Prize ‘Flight of the Tui’, AUS
•(2014) Online Finalist, Lethbridge Small Art Prize, AUS
• (2013)Semi-finalist, Song of the Year International, for Lyrics “Don’t Go Chasing (After Dark)”
• (2013) Online Finalist, Lethbridge Small Art Prize, AUS
• (2012) Runner Up, Song of the Year International, for Lyrics “White Line”
• (2012) Online Finalist, Lethbridge Small Art Prize, AUS
• (2009) Finalist, London International Creative Competition (LICC) Painting: ‘Lady Freedom’, UK
• (2009) Semi-finalist, Art for Progress, Clash of the Artists 2009, Visual Arts segment, USA
• (2008) Finalist, Aesthetica Magazine 50th Annual Creative Works: ‘I Am Woman, So Am I’, UK
• (2006) Finalist, International Art contest and online gallery, Modern Art, Online
• (2006) Semi-finalist, Signature of Sydney competition, semi-finalist, Sydney AU
INTERNATIONAL RESIDENCIES, MUSEUM SHOWS AND BIENNALES
• (2012) International Art Prize and Exhibition “Art of the Mind”, Chianciano Art Museum, Tuscany
• (2011) International Artist Residency & Exhibition, Atahotel Varese Italy
• (2009) International Florence Biennale Exhibition, Florence Italy, Dec 2009
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS• (2013) Valentines Group Exhibition, San Valentine Italy
• (2012) International Art Prize and Exhibition “Art of the Mind”, Chianciano Art Museum, Tuscany
• (2012) European Mosaic Exhibition, group show, Montreal
• (2011) International Artist Residency & Exhibition, Atahotel Varese Italy
• (2011) International Showcase Barcelona, Gaudi Casa Battlo, Barcelona Spain
• (2011) ‘On the Edge’ small size art exhibition, Bologna Italy
• (2010) ‘Art in Mind’, Brick Lane Gallery London UK, August
• (2010) ‘Art in Mind’, Brick Lane Gallery London UK, June
• (2009) International Florence Biennale Exhibition, Florence Italy, Dec 2009
• (2009) Agora Gallery, ‘Out From Down Under and Beyond’ Group Exhibition, New York City, USA May 7-27
LOCAL SOLO EXHIBITIONS
• (2013) Sydney Art Show, exhibition showcase, Moore Park
• (2013) Sydney Art Show, exhibition and LIVE ART showcase, Moore Park
• (2012) Sydney Fringe open Studio show, Newtown Sydney
• (2010) May St Studio exhibition “The Art of Flying”, St Peters NSW, September
• (2009) ‘In The Spirit of Light’, Guildford Lane Gallery, Melbourne VIC 24 Sep-11 Oct
• (2009) ‘In the Spirit of Light’, ArtHouse Hotel Sydney Solo Exhibit, NSW 17 Aug-13 Sep
• (2008) ‘Eclectic Abstractions for the Sensual Soul’, featuring 25 works, Global Gallery, Paddington (July 2-13)
LIVE ART• (2013) Sydney Art Show, exhibition and LIVE ART showcase, Moore Park
• (2013) MOST Marrickville Arts Trail open studio show
• (2012) Sydney Fringe open Studio show, Newtown Sydney
• (2011) International Artist Residency & Exhibition, Atahotel Varese Italy
SELECT LOCAL GROUPS EXHIBITIONS
• (2016) Brisbane Art Prize Finalist Exhibition ‘In Eden, Where Dreams are Born’, QLD, AUS
• (2016) Lethbridge Small Art Prize Finalist Exhibition ‘Flight of the Tui’, AUS
• (2016) Singleton Art Prize Exhibition, Hunter Valley AUS
• (2015) WOOF Exhibition, Art Est Art School Leichhardt
• (2015) Animal Impressions Art Exhibition and Auction, Grand Hyatt Melbourne
• (2013) Sydney Art Show, exhibition and LIVE ART showcase, Moore Park
• (2013) MOST Marrickville Arts Trail open studio show
• (2012) Sydney Fringe open Studio show, Newtown Sydney
• (2012) Painting Group Show, Brunswick St Gallery, Melbourne
• (2011) ‘5th Annual Google Exhibition’ for Sydney Fringe Festival, Hardware Gallery, Enmore NSW
• (2010) ‘Contemporanea’ Florence Biennale Artists Australia group exhibition, Aarwun Gallery Canberra
• (2010) ‘Contemporanea’ Florence Biennale Artists Australia group exhibition, SmartArtz Gallery, Melbourne
• (2010) St Josephs Art exhibition, St Josephs Private School
• (2010) May St Studio group exhibition, St Peters NSW, May
• (2009) Liverpool City Council Art prize exhibition
• (2009) ‘Into the Red’, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Guilford Lane Gallery, Melbourne VIC Sep 23
• (2009) BSG Gallery, Melbourne VIC, ‘Small Works 09’, 23 Jun-2 Jul
• (2009) Art Auction (Gay and Lesbian Switchboard), Guilford Lane Art Gallery, Melbourne VIC
• (2009) RedART Group Exhibtiion, hosted by Reddam House, Woollahra NSW, Mar 11-15
• (2008) ‘Colourful Moments’, Art Moments Gallery Bondi NSW, Sep 08
• (2007) Post Art Sydney exhibition, MLC Powerhouse Gallery, Ultimo NSW
• (2007) ART SYDNEY 07, Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park, Oct 26-28
• (2006) St George Society Group Exhibition, Nov
• (2006) ‘Colourful Moments’ Group exhibition, Art Moment Gallery Bondi, October 06
• (2006) Northbridge Spring festival, TAH Group exhibition, Gallery 307 Northbridge, October
• (2006) ‘Life’s Precious Moments’ group exhibition, Art Moment Gallery Bondi
ART AUCTIONS AND DONATIONS
• (2013) Keep Talking event,, Artwork donation, raising money for Wildlife Victoria and Edgar’s Mission
• (2012) Apple of Life Artwork donation, raising money for Cancer
• (2011) Varese Childrens’ hospital artwork donation
• (2010) Colour My Life’ Canteen Art Auction Fundraiser (Painting donated, SOLD), Art Gallery NSW, Aug
• (2009) ‘Colour My Life’ Canteen Art Auction Fundraiser (Painting donated, SOLD $5000), Art Gallery NSW, Aug
BOOK COVERS AND ILLUSTRATIONS
• (2008) Book Cover: RATREE AKHONO JOUBANEY ( The Night is Still Young); by Hamim Kamrul Haque
• (2006) LIP Magazine, Issue 11 illustrations
FEATURES AND PUBLICATIONS
• (2010) Australian Natural Therapies Magazine cover article, Jan issue “Brighten Your Life with colour”
• (2008) “Leni colours her world in vivid form”, St George Leader, Thursday 3 July
• (2008) “Colourful Moments in Bondi”, Bondi View, 3 Sep 2008
• (2008) Australian Art Collector, April-June 2008
• (2008) Art Almanac, May 2008
• (2008) Art Aesthetica 2008, Competition Finalist feature Dec
• (2006) WATIM.com Issue 3, feature interview
