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About

Katherine Boland_In the Studio 2.jpg

Katherine Boland is a multidisciplinary artist living and working on the south east coast of Australia. Her practice spans digital media, photography, experimental techniques and non-traditional media and processes. Across these forms, she explores the tension between beauty and vulnerability in the natural world—highlighting both its resilience and its increasing fragility in the face of ecological disruption.

Since the Black Summer bushfires that devastated her region, Katherine's practice has become more focused on environmental themes and the realities of a warming planet. Her recent work incorporates emerging technologies to reimagine landscapes and ecosystems in ways that foster emotional connection, ecological awareness, and a deeper sense of responsibility.

In 2020, Katherine was selected to participate in OUTPUT: Art After Fire, an international pilot project funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which brought together artists from southeast Australia and the American West to respond creatively to bushfire trauma and recovery.

 

Her work has been featured in global forums including the DigitalArt4Climate Art Award at the 2021 United Nations Climate Conference in Glasgow, and Art Speaks Out exhibitions at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 UN Climate Conferences in Egypt, Dubai, and Azerbaijan. In 2023, her work Fire Flower No. 8—created using fire itself—was presented by the Australian Prime Minister as an official gift to President Joe Biden at the White House.

 

Katherine has received several major Australian art prizes, including the 2023 National Capital Art Prize (Sustainability category), the 2023 Burrinja Climate Change Biennale Art Award, and the 2009 Heysen Prize for Interpretation of Place. In addition to her visual arts practice, Katherine is the author of the memoir Hippy Days, Arabian Nights (Wild Dingo Press, 2017), and holds a Graduate Diploma in Therapeutic Arts Practice from the Melbourne Institute of Experiential and Creative Art Therapies (MIECAT).

CV

 

1957      Born, Lancashire, England

1961      Immigrated to Australia

1990-91 Certificate of Colour & Design, Bega TAFE, Bega New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2016      Advanced Diploma in Therapeutic Arts in Counselling, Chisholm Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2017      Published Hippy Days, Arabian Nights - A Memoir, Wild Dingo Press, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2019      Graduate Diploma in Therapeutic Arts Practice, MIECAT, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

                

 

Group Exhibitions

 

2025       Journeys, Spiral Gallery, Bega, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2025       Burnt into Memory, Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, Windsor, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA  

2025       Threading Lightly, Gallery 76, Embroiderers’ Guild NSW, Concord West, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2025       Forage II, Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, Katoomba, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2024       ArtSpeaksOut Program, COP29 UN Climate Change Conference, Baku, AZERBAIJAN 

2024       ArtSpeaksOut, Official Selection, IkonoTV, Berlin, GERMANY

2024       Collectors Show, Manyung Gallery, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2024       Artisans in the Gardens, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2024       Spring Fever Exhibition, Manyung Gallery, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2023       East Gippsland Small Art Prize, East Gippsland Art Gallery, Bairnsdale, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2023       Kinship with Birds in Flight and Plight, Women Eco Artists Dialog, California, USA

2023       Works on Paper, Manyung Gallery, Mount Eliza, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2023       Mission to Seafarers Maritime Art Prize, Finalist, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2023       Collabor8Women, Finalist, Ellipsis Gallery, Woolloomooloo, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2023       Central Desert Digital Art Prize, Finalist, Raft Artspace, Mparntwe, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, AUSTRALIA

2023       Forage, Gallery Lane Cove, Lane Cove, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2023       WAMA Art Prize, Finalist, Ararat Gallery TAMA, Ararat, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2023       Environmental Art & Design Award, Finalist, Manly Art Gallery, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2023       Open Field Arts Festival, Salon Exhibition, Berry, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2023       Lethbridge 2000 Small Scale Art Prize, Finalist, Salon des Refuses, Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA

2023       Lethbridge Landscape Prize, Finalist, Salon des Refuses, Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA

2023       Earth Mother, Finalist, Online Exhibition, Envision Arts, Dallas, Texas, USA

2022       The Power of Empathy, Finalist, Online Exhibition, Women Eco Artist's Dialog, San Francisco, California, USA

2022       Art Speaks Out, Finalist, IkonoTV, COP27 United Nations Climate Conference, Sharm-el Sheik, EGYPT

2022       Meroogal Women's Art Prize, Finalist, Sydney Living Museums, Nowra, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2022       Tree, Urban Forest Project Exhibition, Forty-five Downstairs Gallery, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2022       Environmental Art & Design Award, Finalist, Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2022       Art for Climate Change, Planet Earth Channel, IKONO TV, Berlin, GERMANY

2022       ICONS Billboard Display, DigitalArt4Climate, Tokyo, JAPAN

2022       ICONS Billboard Display, DigitalArt4Climate, Toronto, CANADA

2022       Mandorla Art Award, Finalist, Perth, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA

2022       Fire, Climarte Gallery, Richmond, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2022       Planet Recovery Project Exhibition, Finalist, Labyrinth Gallery, UK

2022       Women See Change, Visual Petition, Parliament House, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, AUSTRALIA

2022       The Next, Online Exhibition, Li Tang Gallery, New York, USA

2022       Platforme Planet Earth, Online Exhibition, Finalist, New York, USA

2022       Ivy Hill Gallery, Wopengo, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2022       Art Lovers Australia Prize, Finalist, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2021       DigitalArt4Climate Art Competition, Finalist, COP26 United Nations Climate Conference, Glasgow, UK

2021       Environmental Art and Design Prize, Finalist, Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2021       Waverley Art Prize, Finalist, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2021       Lethbridge 20000 Small Scale Art Prize, Finalist, Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA 

2021       Manyung Gallery, Malvern, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2021       Milburn Art Prize, Finalist, Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA

2021       Lethbridge Landscape Prize, Finalist (Salon des Refuses)  Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA

2020       NOW Contemporary Art Prize, Finalist, Shoalhaven Regional Gallery, Nowra, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2020       Ivy Hill Gallery, Wopengo, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2016       Beth Hume Gallery, Fitzroy, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2015       Beth Hume Gallery, Fitzroy, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2013       Form Studio and Gallery, Queanbeyan, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2012       Redland Art Awards, Finalist, Cleveland, Queensland, AUSTRALIA

2012       Covering Ground, Dark Horse Experiment Gallery, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2011       Izmir Biennale, Izmir, TURKEY

2011       La Verne University, Los Angeles, USA

2011       Gadfly Gallery, Dalkeith, Perth, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA

2011       Wilson Street Gallery at Danks St, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2010       Essence Of St Kilda Photography Prize, Finalist, St Kilda, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2010       Gallery One, Southport, Queensland, AUSTRALIA

2010       BMGart, Adelaide, South Australia, AUSTRALIA

2010       Limestone Coast Art Prize, Finalist, Keith, South Australia, AUSTRALIA

2007       Corangamarah Art Prize, Finalist,Otway Estate Winery, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2004       Norvill Art Prize, Finalist, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2003-05  The State of Art – Peace, Manly Art Gallery Touring Exhibition, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2002-03  SKEGGS Darlinghurst Art Show, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2003       McGivern Art Prize, Finalist, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2002       Contemporary Asian Art Fair, Aust High Commission, SINGAPORE

2002       Treasury Place, Artefact, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2000       Fleurieu Art Prize, Finalist, Regional Gallery, McLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA

2000       McLaren Vale Art Prize, Finalist, Regional Gallery, McLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA

2000       Redlands Westpac Art Prize, Finalist, Mosman, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

1999       Redlands Westpac Art Prize, Finalist, Mosman, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

Solo Exhibitions

 

2023       Where There's Still Life, Manyung Gallery, Malvern, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2022       Renascent, Bega Valley Regional Gallery, Eden Cultural Centre, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2020       Full Circle, Online Exhibition, Bega Regional Art Gallery, Bega, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2019       New Work, Ivy Hill Gallery, Wopengo, Bega, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2017       Book Launch, Soho Galleries, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2010       Writing On St Kilda, St Kilda Town Hall Gallery, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2010       Shield Me, Catherine Asquith Gallery, Collingwood, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2009       Writing On The Wall, Catherine Asquith Gallery, Collingwood, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2008       Writing On The Wall, Gadfly Gallery, Perth, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA

2008       Horizons II, Catherine Asquith Gallery, Flinders St, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2007       The Shape Of Things To Come, Gadfly Gallery, Perth, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA

2007       The Shape Of Things To Come, Catherine Asquith Gallery, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2006       Near & Far, Soho Gallery, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2006       Campagna, Artefact, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2005       Horizons, Soho Gallery, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2005       It’s Not Just Black & White, Artefact @ Gallery 101,Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2004       In Her View, Artefact, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2003       On Fire, Artefact, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2002       Lineage, Soho Galleries, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2001       Fields of Bliss, Soho Galleries, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2000       Oceanic, Bulle Galleries, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA 

2000       Landmarks, Soho Galleries Leichhardt, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

1998       Fragments, Old Bank Gallery, Pambula, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

1996       I Above, Narek Gallery, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, AUSTRALIA

1995       New Work, Hidden Valley Art Gallery, Bodalla, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

1993       Supra Natural, Gorman House Arts Centre, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, AUSTRALIA

1991       New Work, Bilyara Gallery, Bournda, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

Awards

2024    River of Art Art Prize, Highly Commended, Narooma Gallery, Narooma, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2024    International Photography Awards, Honourable Mention, Special Category, Los Angeles, California, USA

2024    Mono Awards, 5 Commended  Awards - People Category x 1, Animal Category x 2, Place Category x 2

2024    Australia’s Top Emerging Photographers, Commended Award, Art Category

2023    National Capital Art Prize, Winner, Sustainability Category, Aawun Gallery, Nicholls, Australian Capital Territory, AUSTRALIA

2023    International Photography Awards, Honourable Mention, AI Generated Images Category, Los Angeles, California, USA

2023    International Photography Awards, Honourable Mention, Deeper Perspective Category, Los Angeles, California, USA

2023    Australasia's Emerging Photographers Award, Highly Commended, Art Category, Capture Magazine, AUSTRALIA

2023    Reimagine Art Prize, People's Choice Award, Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, Hornsby, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2023    Photographer of the Year, Highly Commended, Creative Category,  Australian Photography Magazine, AUSTRALIA

2022    Australasia's Emerging Photographers Award, Top 10 finalist, Art Category, Capture Magazine, AUSTRALIA

2022    The Heat Is On, Winner, Burrinja Climate Change Biennale, Burrinja Cultural Centre, Upwey, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2022    Photographer of the Year 2021, Highly Commended, Australian Photography Magazine, AUSTRALIA

2009    Heysen Art Prize, Winner, Hahndorf Art Academy, Hahndorf, South Australia, AUSTRALIA

2000    Bega Valley Art Awards, Major Award – Acquisitive, Bega Valley Regional Gallery, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

1999    Bega Valley Art Awards, Major Award – Acquisitive, Bega Valley Regional Gallery, Bega, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

1997    Bega Valley Art Awards, Best Abstract, Regional Gallery, Bega, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

Grants

 

2021    Covid Development Grant,  Create NSW, Sydney New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2020    Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program, Output - Art After Fire Project, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade     

2020    Artist Benevolent Grant, NAVA, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2020    Micro Grant, South East Arts/ Regional Arts NSW/Bega Valley Regional Gallery, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

 

Residencies

 

2010    International Artist’s Symposium, Luxor International Studio, Ministry of Culture, Luxor, EGYPT

2010    Studio Residency, DRAWinternational, Caylus, Lot, FRANCE

2010    Scholarship Residency, Arts Student’s League of New York, Vytlacil Campus, NEW YORK         

2005    Studio Residency, Rigalto Studios, Perugia, Umbria, ITALY

2002    Studio Residency, Glebe Chamber of Commerce, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

2001    Studio Residency, NSW Ministry of the Arts, Gunnery Studios, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

 

Publications

2024  We Are The Possible: The Land of Fire – 12 Stories for 12 Days of COP29, Exeter University, UNITED KINGDOM

2023   The Guardian, Art & Design, Australian Edition, 25 October

2023  Small Data is Beautiful, Dr Tyne Daile Sumner, Faculty of Arts, University of Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

2023   Landscape to Earthscape: Practice and Aesthetics in a Time of Environmental Crisis, Stella Clarke, 

           Master of Visual Arts Thesis, Federation University, Ballarat, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

 

Podcasts

2025  Decarbonisation Dialogue, Salix Finance, London, UNITED KINGDOM

Collections

The White House, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC, USA

Hyatt Regency Orlando, Florida, USA

Modera Golden Triangle, Denver, Colorado, USA

Quay West Suites Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

Phoenician Resort and Spa, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

Bellagio Tower Suite, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Kimpton Midtown Atlanta Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Mandale Heights, SINGAPORE

American Euro Centre, Hangzlon, CHINA

Grand Hyatt, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

Marriott, Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA

Sheraton On The Park, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

Chelsea Hotel, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

Conrad Jupiters Casino, Gold Coast, Queensland, AUSTRALIA

Sheraton Hotel, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

Reflections, Gold Coast, Queensland, AUSTRALIA

Kirra Surf, Gold Coast , Queensland AUSTRALIA

Q1 Resort, Gold Coast, Queensland, AUSTRALIA

Crown Casino, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

Ministry of Culture Collection, Cairo, EGYPT

South East Centre for Contemporary Art, Permanent Collection, Bega, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

Maddocks Collection, Melbourne,Victoria, AUSTRALIA

Doug Menzies Collection, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

Western Mining Corporation Collection, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

City of Port Phillip Collection, Melbourne,Victoria, AUSTRALIA

 

Private Collections in Europe, Asia, USA & Australia

 

 

Representation

Manyung Gallery, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA

 

 
 
 
 
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