“In the past I have written about conveying emotion in art, how consciously courting specific emotional responses can assist audiences traverse differing styles and genres and thematically unify an artist’s otherwise diverse body of work.
But I’ve come to realise this critique does not add anything of genuine value because the impact of the circumstances in which the art is created is all that truly matters.
An artist’s value then lies inuniquely making sense of the swirling chaos or the beauty of things around themat a particular time. I believe this is especially true in landscape painting.
There is nothing we can add to nature’s presentation of itself. We just paint what we see in the moment.
So what makes an artwork special?
For me, it is found in the act of making, the technique that will uniquely define the work and give it energy and purpose, and ultimately come to define the artist themselves.”
- Andrew McIlroy, January 2024
Born 1966, Melbourne, Victoria. Lives and works in Melbourne
2022
Artist Residency, Orquevaux France
2005-06
Painting & Sculpture, Julian Ashton Art School, Sydney
2001-02
Graduate Diploma, Fine Arts (Painting), Swinburne University, Melbourne
1989-92
Bachelor of Economics, Monash University,
1984-87
Bachelor of Arts, University of Melbourne,
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2021
Passage: New Paintings, Artvisory Gallery, Melbourne
2017
South Wind, Nanda\Hobbs Contemporary, Sydney
2016
Tempest, Gould Galleries, Melbourne
2014
Rush, Art Equity Gallery, Sydney
2012
Into the Abyss, Gould Galleries, Melbourne
2010
Against the Tide, Axia Modern Art, Melbourne
2009
Plunge, Art Equity Gallery, Sydney
2008
Lumiere, Art Equity Gallery, Sydney
2007
Breaking Light, Axia Modern Art, Melbourne
2007
Diffusions of Light, Art Equity Gallery, Sydney
2006
New Works, Art Equity Gallery, Sydney
2005
Salt, Sydney
2004
Gaia, Melbourne
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2020
2019
2018
2017
2018
King’s School Art Prize, Sydney
Kings School Art Prize, Sydney
Biennale of Australian Art, Ballarat
Summer Group Exhibition, Nanda Hobbs, Sydney
Weather, Group Show, Despard Gallery, Hobart
2008
Kings School Art Prize, Sydney
2007
Group Exhibition, Pivotal Galleries, Melbourne
2006
Group Exhibition, Art Equity Gallery, Sydney
Landcom Art Project, Sydney
Out of the Box, Pivotal Galleries, Melbourne
Group Exhibition, Pivotal Galleries, Melbourne
2005
Group Exhibition, Pivotal Galleries, Melbourne
Group Exhibition, Pollock Gallery, Melbourne
Melbourne Art Fair, Art Equity, Melbourne
2004
Director’s Choice, Richard Martin Art, Sydney
Group Exhibition, Pollock Gallery, Melbourne
AWARDS
2020
2019
2014
2008
Kings Art Prize (finalist)
Kings School Art Prize (finalist)
Hornsby Art Prize (finalist)
Kings School Art Prize (finalist)
2006
ANL Maritime Art Prize (finalist)
Open
Tuesday - Friday 11am - 6pm
Saturday - Sunday 11am - 4pm
