About the Artist

A Brief History

Kathy Ellem is a realist painter, known for depictions of Australian rural life and is well-regarded as an equestrian artist, with a passion for painting draught horses.
Based in North East Victoria in the Greta Valley, Ellem works from her studio in her farm's original tobacco kiln.
Ellem began painting and sculpting full-time in 2009, and is the recipient of a number of Australian and international awards for her work. Her artistic philosophy states that her "creative intent remains simple. The world we live in today is full of fear and anger. Rather than add to it, I want to create works which balance that out. I want people to look at my paintings and feel up-lifted; to feel a sense of joy. I also want people viewing my paintings to feel connected to life in rural Australia in a positive way".

2019
Surat on Balonne Gallery (Surat Art Gallery), QLD

2018
Beef Week, Rockhampton, QLD

2017
Somerset Regional Art Gallery (The Condensery), QLD

2016
Cunnamulla Fella Centre Art Gallery and Museum, QLD
Dogwood Crossing Art Gallery and Community Centre, Miles, QLD

2015
Mitchell on Maranoa (Maranoa Art Gallery), QLD

2014
Waltzing Matilda Centre (Outback Regional Gallery), Winton, QLD
Gallery 107 (Dalby Art Gallery), QLD

2011
Surat on Balonne Gallery (Surat Art Gallery), QLD
Mitchell on Maranoa (Maranoa Art Gallery), QLD

Collections

Represented in private collections, the Australian Embassy, Baghdad, Iraq (acquired 2019), Blackall-Tambo Regional Council collection (acquired 2018), Lane Cove Council collection (acquired 2016), Origin Energy, Australia (commission, 2014).

Selected Awards

Australia Day medal for contribution to Culture 2012 in Surat, and member contribution in 2014.

2020
People's choice award - Clayton Utz Art Awards, Brisbane, Queensland
Best of show (for 'Together we will succeed') - Women artists of the west,, Settlers west gallery, Tucson AZ, USA
John Villiers Outback Art Prize (for the painting 'Hearts as Big as the Sky'), Waltzing Matilda Centre, Winton

2018
First place - Women Artists of the West online summer exhibition, USA
First place (2D art) Christine Drewyer Award of Distinction - Women Artists of the West 48th National Juried Exhibition, USA

2017
First place, $8000 prize - National Equine Art Prize, Mansfield, Victoria
First place - Somerset Bendigo Bank Art Awards, Esk, QLD
First place - Bell Art Exhibition, Bell, QLD

2016
First place - Lane Cove Municipal Art Award