Karen Dyer

Painting solely in oil and with a love of colour, Karen is a painter of realism.
Her still life works are playfully imbued with a ‘soul’ or spiritual energy despite being
considered inanimate objects. Inspiration is drawn from a strong interest in the spiritual
aspect of English Folklore, Animism and by visits to Asia which provide a glimpse into
the world of Shinto and Buddhist beliefs.
Landscapes were initially a tricky subject for Karen – how to paint a landscape
realistically without the resulting work looking like a photograph? Karen’s solution was
to create a collage of the chosen view and then paint a realistic depiction of the collage.
Portraiture is also an area which interests Karen. When creating a work, an element of
distortion is employed (to varying degrees of the surreal) to accentuate the
emotion/spirit emanating from the sitter as perceived by the artist.
Karen lives and works in the vibrant inner-city suburb of West End, Queensland.
Recognition and Recent Exhibitions
2022 - The Percival’s Portrait Prize - finalist
2022 - BlueThumb Portrait Prize - finalist
2023 - Revival Art Emerging Artist Prize - winner of sponsor’s prize
2023 - ArtEdit Magazine (Spring Edition) -‘One to Watch’
2023 - Red Hill Art Gallery - Neu Neu Exhibition
2023 - Brisbane Portrait Prize - finalist
2023 - Lethbridge Gallery - Small Works 20000 finalist
2024 - Revival Art Emerging Artist Prize - finalist
2024 - RQAS - Brisbane Places and Personalities Award - finalist
2024 - Lethbridge Gallery - Small Works 20000 finalist
2024 – Brisbane Portrait Prize – Salon de Refuse
2024 - The Tower Art Show exhibition
2024 - Melbourne Affordable Art Fair exhibition
2024 – RQAS Queensland Figurative Award – finalist