An interior designer by profession, Karen has specialised as an Aboriginal art consultant for the past 16 years, sourcing and placing art from the oldest living culture into contemporary Australian living spaces. Earlier, she was the Design Director for Cato Graphic Design in Sydney and then Design Director for Sydney’s successful 1993 bid for the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
In the mid 90’s Karen jointly founded “Papaya”, a wholesale and retail homewares brand based in Sydney. She subsequently completed her Advanced Diploma Interior Design at Enmore Design College, Sydney Australia.
Karen started painting seriously in 2010, studying life drawing at Julian Ashton Art School and abstract expressionism at the Workshop Arts Centre, Willoughby. Her approach is largely exploratory, enjoying experimentation with different techniques, materials and methods of expression.
Given her detailed knowledge of contemporary Aboriginal art, Karen is strongly influenced by the bold simplicity of Aboriginal paintings, particularly the works of women like Minnie, Molly and Emily Pwerle, Nyuju Stumpy Brown and Sally Gabori, as well as Kudditji Kngwarreye. Spontaneous, organic, confident mark making and an intuitive use of colour, coupled with a strong sense of place and community are indigenous influences that Karen pursues in her own art practise. She is constantly seeking to tap into her inner, primal resonance through her paintings.
Karen paints in her studio at Georges Heights Headland Park Mosman, where she is enriched by the creative interaction with her fellow artists and by the physical beauty of her surroundings. Her works are for sale from her studio and through Fanuli Furniture in Cremorne, Sydney.
Exhibitions:
2015 – Group Exhibition WAC
2016 – Finalist Ewart Art Prize, Workshop Arts Centre, Willoughby NSW
2017 – “Connection” Group exhibition Brenke Gallery Palm Beach
2018 – Group Exhibition Workshop Arts Centre, Willoughby NSW
2018 – Shortlisted Mosman 2088 Art Prize
2018 – Finalist Ewart Art Prize, Workshop Arts Centre, Willoughby NSW
2019 – Finalist Ewart Art Prize, Workshop Arts Centre, Willoughby NSW
2020 – Finalist Ewart Art Prize – Winner Painting category
2020 – Group Exhibition Headland Artists, Georges Heights, Mosman
2020 – Group Exhibition – The Creative Space, Northern Beaches
2021 – Shortlisted Mosman 2088 Art Prize
2021 – Group Exhibition Headland Artists, Georges Heights, Mosman NSW
2022 – Finalist Ewart Art Prize, Workshop Arts Centre, Willoughby NSW
2022 – Solo Exhibition, Fanuli Furniture, Cremorne, NSW
2022 – Group Exhibition Headland Artists, Georges Heights, Mosman NSW
2023 – Finalist Ewart Art Prize, Workshop Arts Centre, Willoughby NSW
2023 – Group Exhibition Headland Artists, Georges Heights, Mosman NSW
2023 – Exhibition with fellow artist, Merryl Greaves, Gallery 109, Sydney Road, Manly NSW
2023 – Solo Exhibition, Fanuli Furniture, Cremorne, NSW
Telephone: +61 412 224483
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: kubba45 or Karen Lange