Artist profile
Kathleen
Rhee
Kathleen Rhee is an Australian artist working and living on the Gold Coast. With a passion for working on large-scale abstract paintings her beautifully calming works are inspired by the country’s picturesque natural environment.
Kathleen’s pieces bring the outdoors indoors, with her gentle pinks, deep blues and turquoise greens adding a sense of peace to people’s lives. Kathleen has a deep connection to mother nature and can only explain her practice as a need to paint everyday, expressing impressions, feelings and experiences in her daily life. Rhee’s personal style has an atmospheric, powerful, mesmerising touch that she achieves by using subtle colour and depth.
Kathleen's studies in Australia include art history, drawing and painting at Brisbane Institute of Art and Portrait & Figure Painting at ANU Art School Canberra. She studied at the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York City where she lived and worked before moving home to Australia where she now resides with her husband and children. On her return to Australia she studied art therapy, working in the Canberra community for over 10 year. Kathleen’s paintings are collected worldwide, residing in private collections in 14 countries, is a prize finalist, with her work also featured on national television The Block home renovation series in 2019, 2020 and was accepted to Artist-in-Residence at Château d’Orquevaux, France 2020.
Career Highlights
- Clio Art Fair New York City Hudson Yards 2023
- Solo Exhibition Suki & Hugh Gallery Canberra 2023
- Featured Artist on The Block TV Series 2019 and 2020
Artist Interview
What medium do you work with, and why have you chosen them?
I work in acrylic, experimenting on different surfaces, stretched and flat. I do not like to work in a processed style but I do need to have certain elements or details in my work, sometimes this is more, sometimes less depending on my mood. I like these elements to have balance, contrast and opposition. I start with colour combinations, and look for smooth seamlessness, thick textures, spatter, colour merging and always the energy and feeling of the work is what is one of the most important ingredients to me.
How does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?
I like to work on collections, painting 3-7 pieces at a time. This gives the maximum time and canvas area to explore the ideas, feelings and colours I have on my mind at the time. It maybe up to 4-6 weeks before all the works are completed and I am happy with them ready to release for exhibition.
Can you tell us a little more about your creative working environment/studio?
I was working in an over sized rustic industrial shed on a family property driving out to the hinterland for many years. In early 2023 my home studio build was finally completed and I have now been working from my new space for over a year now. I walk out the back door of my home then a few steps across the garden to my studio door!
I designed it with has very high ceilings, a lot of natural light and glass windows. It is a very minimalistic, calm peaceful studio that brings me much happiness. I like to paint alone but my 3 dogs, Pablo, Hugo and Yuki keep me company.
