Featured Artist Kim Carpenter | Artsy Shark

Enjoy the exquisite portfolio of Australian artist Kim Carpenter, who presents a dreamlike portfolio of theatrically-based works. See more by visiting his website.

Fairyland fantasy painting by Kim Carpenter

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Fairyland, watercolour, ink Caran d’Ache crayon on Arches watercolour paper, 80 x 97 cm

It became clear from the age of four when drawing on the walls, pavement and whatever I could get my hands on, that I had a precocious artistic gift. In my early years I was mentored by the legendary Australian artist John Olsen and went on to have my first exhibitions at the Holdsworth Galleries, at the time the largest art galleries in the Asia-Pacific.

painting of a dreamlike wedding scene from a play

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream: To the Best Bride” watercolour, ink Caran d’Ache Crayon on Arches watercolour paper, 80 x 63 cm

I initially dedicated my art to what became a highly-distinguished successful career as a designer, and later director and devisor, in the performing arts. I was Founder and Artistic Director of my own multi-award-winning unique visual theatre company Kim Carpenter’s Theatre of Image (1989-2019).

fantasy dream from a play

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream: I Had a Dream” watercolour, ink Caran d’Ache Crayon on Arches watercolour paper, 80 x 63 cm

Now I devote my singular focus to my artistic vision in my paintings and drawings. Although not keen to be labelled, my work is most often described as surreal, figurative, fantastical, poetic and beautiful.

Painting forest scene from Midsummer Night's Dream play

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream: The Intoxicating Forest” watercolour, ink Caran d’Ache Crayon on Arches watercolour paper, 97 x 80 cm

I see myself as a visual storyteller. As such, I am interested in characters/people and the world they inhabit. Often I research a particular subject or life story. For example, a recent exhibition was based on the life of Oscar Wilde entitled WILDE: Life And Fantasy.

Fantastical figurative painting

“WILDE” Life and Fantasy” watercolour, ink Caran d’Ache Crayon on Arches watercolour paper, 97 x 80 cm

I am interested in creating works that are not only visually seductive to the viewer, but have something to say or a story to tell. So, in that regard, you could also identify me as a narrative artist, which I believe comes from my background developing theatre performances—in particular through images and music—with minimal text.

Fantasy painting scene from The Happy Prince

“The Happy Prince: The Reed and the Dragonfly” watercolour, ink Caran d’Ache crayon on Arches watercolour paper, 63 x 80 cm

I work instinctively from my imagination. Through my mind’s eye I collect images from my daily life in endless notebooks and adapt or subvert them into whatever stories or themes I am currently exploring. I like to discover wit, absurdity and beauty in my observations and incorporate them into my work. My work is realised on thick watercolour paper using a combination of watercolour paint, inks and Caran d’Ache crayons.

Painting of a scene from The Happy Prince

“The Happy Prince: The Swallow and the Reed” watercolour, ink Caran d’Ache Crayon on Arches watercolour paper, 63 x 80 cm

My work has been seen throughout Australia, Canada, New York City, Caracas and New Zealand. It has also been seen in group exhibitions in Moscow, Prague, London and cities in Australia. I am currently represented by Maunsell Wicks Gallery in Paddington Sydney (formerly The Barry Stern Galleries, Sydney’s oldest commercial gallery). In July 2025 I will have my third solo exhibition at Maunsell Wicks Gallery.

painting of a theater scene from The Happy Prince

“The Happy Prince: Distributing Gold to the Poor” watercolour, ink Caran d’Ache Crayon on Arches watercolour paper, 97 x 80 cm

“There is a wonderful kind of youthful, fresh spontaneity about Kim’s art. It hasn’t been run through the terrible mill of endless analysis, and too much rigour, which tends to drain the life out of things. It is fresh and fruity—and honest.” – Edmund Capon OBE, AO, Former Director of The Art Gallery of NSW Australia.

 

Kim Carpenter invites you to follow him on his art YouTube, theater YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Wikipedia.

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