BIOGRAPHY
Currently living and working in rural Victoria, self-taught painter Michelle Selway Lampard approaches her subject from a simplistic yet slightly abstracted perspective.
A self-confessed people watcher, Michelle enjoys capturing even the most basic of human form, behaviour and mannerisms with a sense of drama through her use of bold colours, shapes and often a generous application of negative space. Her artworks are a representation of her own experiences and encounters and although stemming from only a brief moment in time, they encourage the viewer to consider the greater picture and form their own emotional interpretation.
Among her successes, Lampard has illustrated books for leading publishing companies, including Scholastic Australia, Harper Collins and Five Mile Press. She was a finalist in the Cowra Calleen Art Prize.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I have always been a keen ‘observer’ of my surroundings in all forms, from reflections of colour in the bush to a pensive expression caught on a stranger’s face.
The common thread in my work has unconsciously become the use of negative space and a limited application of brush strokes as both integral elements of composition and to draw attention to the subject matter rather than the background. As such, I aim to capture both the simplicity and curiosity of a specific moment in time and encourage the viewer to form their own narrative.
Although immersed in the more commercial realm of visual art since 2007, it is only since 2016 that I have had the luxury of time to develop a more refined and personal style. I have not been academically trained and have found great satisfaction in finding my own way with the support of clients, representing galleries and art prizes.
EDUCATION
1996 – 1998 Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management, University of Westminster UK
CAREER
2016 – Current – Visual Contemporary Artist
2007 – Current – Illustrator/Designer for Australian Giftware and Souvenir business.
2007 – Current – Children’s book illustrator for leading publishing companies Scholastic Australia, Harper Collins & Five Mile Press.
1994 – 2007 – Human resources Manager/ Consultant to various organisations in London, UK and Australia.
EXHIBITIONS
2021 ‘Hybrid’ Mini Solo Exhibition, 19 Karen Gallery, Mermaid Beach QLD, AUS
2019 Threesome International Group Show, 19 Karen Gallery, Mermaid Beach QLD, AUS
2018 Group Exhibition, Lethbridge Gallery , Bulimba QLD
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2023 Finalist in Lethbridge Small Scale Art Awards
2022 Finalist in 2022 Clayton Utz Art Prize
2019 Finalist – Clayton Utz Art Awards
2018 Finalist – Lethbridge 10000 Small Scale Art Award (High Commendation)
2017 Finalist – Cowra Calleen Art Prize
2017 Category Winner – Lethbridge 10000 Small Scale Art Award
2017 Finalist – Manning Art Prize
2017 Finalist – Clayton Utz Art Prize (High Commendation)
2017 Entrant – Archibald Portrait Prize (Alan Mackay-Sim) – painting donated to Griffith University.
