Ochre Lawson
Ochre Lawson, artist portrait, 2024, Felicity Jenkins
Ochre Lawson’s paintings un pack her connection to the natural world. The paintings are intimate in their focus on microcosm and habitat. The mark making is loose and free, the bold landscapes fall into abstraction but beam with positivity. Lawson captures the essence of a place, the vibrancy and wonder found in the works reflects a deep respect for the wilderness. This passion and connection to ecosystems grew from many years of work as an environmental activist.
Ochre Lawson completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts at National Art School, Sydney in 2007. Previous studies included a Diploma of Fine Arts at the Southbank Institute of TAFE, Brisbane in 2001 and online studies in art theory and practice through RMIT in Melbourne. Lawson has exhibited widely in Australia as well as Internationally in New York.
Lawson has been awarded public commissions for Urban Growth, Sydney (2015, 2016), NSW Transport (2014), and for Momac residential development in Canberra (2009). She has been a consistent finalist in art awards including the Muswellbrook Art Prize, the NSW Parliament Plein Air Prize, Waterhouse Natural Science art prize, The Fishers Ghost art prize, Greenway art prize, Defiance Small Sculpture Prize, the Northbridge Art Prize, the Gosford Regional Gallery Art Prize and the Waverley Woollahra Art Prize and has won awards in different categories. Ochre was selected as artist in residence at ‘Moriumius’ in Japan in 2017 and the ‘Bilpin International Ground for Creative Initiative’ in the Blue Mountains, 2012-14. Lawson is also passionate with lecturing, frequently presenting talks and workshops as well as community art projects. Lawson is also a dedicated art tutor of over 15 years teaching at both private and public art schools in painting and drawing.
Read Exhibition essay for ‘Above The Tree Line’, 2022
Ochre Lawson, Tree Circle, 2024, oil on canvas, 183 x 152 cm
Ochre Lawson, Snow Gum Dance, 2024, oil on canvas, 137 x 122 cm
Ochre Lawson, Billy Buttons, 2024, oil on linen, 198 x 102 cm
Ochre Lawson, Snow Gum Bones, 2024, oil on linen, 198 x 102 cm
Ochre Lawson, Tea Tree over Water, 2024, oil on canvas, triptych, 62 x 72 cm each
Tree Circle, 2024, Exhibition views, photography by Ashley Mackevicius
Ochre Lawson, Winter Tree, 2023, oil on canvas, 137 x 122cm
Ochre Lawson, Angophora Striptease, 2023, oil on birch board, 180 x 120cm (Diptych)
Exhibition views from Sensory Wonder, 2023, Jennings Kerr. Photography by Ashley Mackevicius
Sunshine Through Rain, 2023, oil on canvas, 180 x 137cm
Shimmering Light, 2023, oil on canvas, 122 x 137cm
Summit, 2022, oil on birch, 120 x 180cm (framed)
Birthplace of Water, 2022, oil on canvas, 120 x 120cm
Snow Gum Forest, 2022, oil on canvas, 120 x 120cm
Above The Tree Line, 2022, Exhibition views by Ashley Mackevicius
Snow Gums and Wombat, 2022, oil on canvas, 90 x 120cm
Yellow Mauve Landscape, 2022, oil on canvas, 120 x 120cm
Alpine Valley, 2022, oil on canvas, 40 x 40cm
Kosciuzsko Summer, 2022, oil on canvas, 40 x 40cm
Above The Tree Line 2, 2022, oil on birch, 56 x 76cm
Above The Tree Line 3, 2022, oil on birch, 56 x 76cm
Mungo Spinifex, 2021, oil on canvas, 102 x 120cm
Above the Tree Line, 2021, oil on canvas, 41 x 41cm
Ochre Lawson, Exhibition views, Opening Show, Jennings Kerr, 2021
Valley in the Sky, 2021, oil on canvas, 120 x 120cm
Various documentation from plein air trips.