KATHLEEN RHEE
Born in Brisbane
Kathleen is an accomplished Australian abstract artist based on the Gold Coast, where she has developed her distinctive style. She creates large-scale abstract paintings that echo the serene and diverse landscapes of Australia. Kathleen studied at the Brisbane Institute of Art, the ANU Art School in Canberra, and the Parsons School of Design in New York City. She has exhibited internationally in New York and Berlin, attended residencies in France and New Mexico, and her works are in private and public collections across 15 countries. She is a prize finalist and gained recognition when her art was featured on the national television home renovation series 'The Block' in 2019 and 2020.
Kathleen’s artwork embodies the essence of nature, bringing the outdoors indoors. Her use of colors—soft pinks, vibrant blues, and tranquil turquoise greens—infuses spaces with peace and harmony. With a deep connection to nature, Kathleen describes her artistic practice as a vital part of daily life, compelling her to paint each day and express her impressions, feelings, and experiences. Her unique style captivates viewers with its atmospheric quality, achieved through attention to color dynamics, depth, and rich detail.
Raised in the lush coastal hinterland between the Gold Coast and Brisbane, Kathleen’s childhood was filled with adventures in nature. The time she spent exploring beaches, rainforests, and gazing into the expansive sky shaped her artistic vision. The vibrant colors and calming energy of her natural surroundings serve as continuous inspiration for her work. Kathleen employs a variety of techniques, including color staining, sketching, splattering, layering, and traditional brushwork, allowing her to create intricate and emotive artworks. She enjoys working on diverse surfaces, such as canvas and paper, using acrylics to achieve her signature style, resulting in pieces that resonate deeply with their viewers.
Education
2020 Postwar Abstract Painting Crt. Coursera MOMA NYC USA
2011 MARI Levels 1&2 Crt. Chris Boyd Brewer MARI Mandala, Seattle USA
2007-2009 Initiatic Art Therapy Crt, Institute for Sensorimotor Art Therapy Melbourne AUS
2003-2005 Observation & Expression in Drawing, Portrait & Figure Painting
ANU School of Art Canberra AUS
1995-1998 Graphic Design & Advertising, Parsons School of Design New York USA
1990-1992 Art History and Drawing, Brisbane Institute of Art AUS
Residencies
2026 Studio Kura, one month, Fukuoka Japan
2025 Watercolour Workshop Taos, New Mexico, USA
2025 NG Art Creative Residency, one month, Provence France
Exhibitions
2026 Paper Positions Berlin, Germany
2026 Cascade Art Concept Gallery, Brisbane Australia
2025 Studio 8 Currumbin Gold Coast, Australia
2025 Stevens Street Gallery, Yandina , Australia
2025 Festival Of The Arts St Hilda's Gold Coast, Australia
2024 Art House Asia Gallery, Perth, Australia
2023 Clio Art Fair, New York, USA
2023 Suki & Hugh Gallery Art Everyday Solo Exhibition
2023 Spectrum Art Fair Artboxy Gallery Miami 4.0 USA
2022 Artboxy Gallery Miami 3.0 USA
2022 Artboxy Gallery SWISS ART EXPO Zurich Station
2022 Artboxy Gallery Venice 1.0 Tana Art Space
2022 Artboxy Gallery 2.0, URBANSIDE Gallery, Zurich
2022 A4 Art Australia, Herring Island Gallery, CAS Victoria
2021 Studio Gallery Exhibition, RQAS Gallery Brisbane
2021 Light & Dark Exhibition, RQAS Gallery, Brisbane
2021 HOME Exhibition, Art Lovers Gallery, Gold Coast Australia
2021 Summer Thing, Humble House Gallery Canberra ACT
2021 Abstraction Exhibition, The Space Gallery Sydney
2020 Humble House Gallery, Mothers Day Online Exhibition
2020 Laguna Art Gallery Members Exhibition
2020 Humble House Gallery, Resident Artist Exhibition Canberra
2020 Gift of Art Exhibition, RQAS Gallery Brisbane
2020 Summer Vibes Exhibition, The Space Gallery Sydney
2020 Humble House Gallery Resident Artists Christmas Exhibition
2019 Interpretations of Place, FORM Gallery ACT
2019 Kingsborough Housewarming BDA Interiors Canberra
2019 Canberra Home Building Expo BDA Interiors Canberra
2019 Art X Design Exhibition, BDA Interiors Canberra
2019 QPRC Regional Arts Trail Studio Exhibition
2019 QPRC Regional Art Awards, The Q Gallery Queanbeyan
2019 Revealed Artists on The Block 2019 TBC Gallery Gold Coast
2019 Humble House Gallery Resident Artists Christmas Exhibition
2018 QPRC Regional Meet & Make Expo
2018 QPRC Regional Arts Trail Studio Exhibition
2018 3 Days of Design Exhibition BDA Interiors Canberra
2017 QPRC Regional Arts Trail Studio Exhibition
2017 ETSY Made Local Exhibition Canberra
2016 Signature Series RAW Canberra Exhibition
2016 QPRC Regional Arts Trail Studio Exhibition
2014 Solo Exhibition 39 Steps Cafe Gallery My Galleria Art
2014 Solo Exhibition Cork Street Gallery Cafe My Galleria Art
2014 This is Art Market, Yarralumla Woolshed ACT
2014 Radford College Annual Art Show
2013 This is Art, Yarralumla Woolshed ACT
2012 Solo ‘Simplicity is the beauty of life’ CG Gallery ACT
2012 Canberra Times Outdoor Art Exhibition
2012 Radford College Art Show
2012 Artists Society of Canberra Spring Exhibition
2012 Cranleigh Annual Art Exhibition
2011 Canberra Times Outdoor Art Exhibition
2011 Radford College Annual Art Exhibition
2011 QPRC Regional Art Awards, The Q Gallery Queanbeyan
2011 Artists Society of Canberra Spring Exhibition
2011 Cranleigh Annual Art Exhibition
2011 Queanbeyan Artists Society Special Red Ribbon Exhibition
2010 Journeys through the Emotional Landscape ACT Southside Gallery
2010 Canberra Times Outdoor Art Exhibition
2010 QPRC Regional Art Awards, The Q Gallery Queanbeyan
2010 Artists Society of Canberra Spring Exhibition
2009 Canberra Times Outdoor Art Exhibition
2008 Canberra Times Outdoor Art Exhibition
2008 QPRC Regional Art Awards, The Q Gallery Queanbeyan
2008 Artists Society of Canberra Spring Exhibition
2007 Canberra Times Outdoor Art Exhibition
2006 Colours of Life, ACT Southside Gallery
AWARDS
2021 Winner Peoples Choice, Royal Queensland Art Society Petrie Gallery Brisbane
2021 Winner Artist of the Month February ITSLIQUID
2021 Finalist Art Lovers Australia Art Prize
2020 Finalist Art Lovers Australia Art Prize
MEDIA
2024 JaamZIN Magazine Singapore Issue 8
2022 When Art Meets Design: Singulart Magazine Issue 2
2021 Artist Diaries: Piece With Artist
2021 Artist Talk Magazine Issue 17
2021 Artist Talk Magazine Blog: Obsessed with abstract expressionism
2021 Artist Spotlight Interview Singulart Gallery
2021 Artist Talk Magazine Issue 16
2021 Artist Talk Magazine Blog: Kathleen Rhee
2021 BAM Magazine Article
2021 123 ART Magazine Interview
2020 ‘The Block’ Australian TV Series: featured artist for 2020 Harry & Tash 1920's House
2019 This Art Show is Big and Beautiful: Interpretations of Place Canberra Times Art Review
2019 Stroke of Genius Interview Allhomes Magazine
2019 ‘The Block’ Australian TV Series: featured artist for 2019 Tess & Luke’s Studio Room
2019 Peaceful Palette Home, Canberra Weekly Magazine
2019 Local art on The Block Inside & Out, Canberra Weekly Magazine
2018 Artist Spotlight at the Style Curator
2017 Love It Feature, Art Edit Magazine
2015 Mandala Calm Creative Art For Everyone, written, Illustrated Kathleen Rhee, Blurb Books
2014 Foundations of Creativity Mandala Art Project for Disability by Kathleen Rhee, John James Foundation Annual Report article feature