Unexpected myriads sprout in the dancing leaves and branches of Nat Ward’s paintings. Their rich surfaces reference mosaics, textiles, hieroglyphics, and even Asian script.
Based in Albury, Ward says her paintings are “an intimate conversation between herself and the places she walks”, yet there are, obviously, more sophisticated and inventive than that. Using flattened space, folkloric detail, linear depth, and a whimsical energized palette, her compositions take the landscape in every direction; up, down, and across.
Perhaps influenced by primeval landscapes of New Zealand, where she gained her BA in painting, Ward’s work has evolved into a style all her own, paying homage to a pocket of the landscape that is overlooked in favour of more heroic vistas.
"The Australian bush is full of complex intricacies, the ever-changing light, the forms of the trees and wildflowers and the nuanced light.
My latest work seeks to capture a sense of this, whilst not being overly descriptive, rather portray a feeling of immersion. The ‘scrubland’ of Nail Can Hill, where I often hike, offers a wonder of curious complexities which I am particularly interested in painting. It is my way of bringing to light the understated beauty of a sometimes innocuous and overlooked environment and an opportunity to reflect on these details of nature that have a gentle beauty."
Education
Canterbury University ~ Bachelor of Fine Arts (Major - painting)
Selected Exhibitions
2023- Rochfort Gallery group show
2023 - Korea Cultural Centre 10 year anniversary group show
2022 - Group show 'Interconnected', NERAM
2021- 'Wildflowers on Nailcan' solo exhibition, Manyung Gallery, Malvern
2020- Sydney Royal Botanical Garden 'Plants' Group Show
2019- Group Show 'Dolci' Rochfort Gallery
2019- Group Show Manyung Gallery, Flinders
2019- Solo show Rochfort Gallery
2018- Group show 'Petals and Pods' Rochfort Gallery
2018- Group show 'Land and Sea' Rochfort Gallery
2018- Group show ‘Whimsy’ Rochfort Gallery
2016- Group exhibition, Manyung Gallery, Malvern
2016- Solo show MAMA, Albury
Commendations & Projects
2023 Finalist Ravenswood Art Prize for Women
2022 Finalist Regional Landscape Award
2022 Finalist Kangaroo Valley Art Prize
2022 Finalist Hadley's Art Prize for Landscape
2022 Finalist (gallery) Lethbridge small scale prize
2021 Finalist KAAF art prize Sydney
2021 Finalist Geelong Contemporary Art Prize
2020 Semi finalist KAAF Art prize2020- Artwork Cover - Royal Botanical Gardens, Autumn edition
2019- Singapore Art Fair, selected representation
2019- Winner - Waverley Art Price
2019- Selected art for ephemeral project, Wodonga council
2018- Finalist John Leslie award for landscape
2017- Selected artist -'the other art fair Sydney'
2017- FIRST PRIZE Trinity acquisitive art award
2017- Feature artist GO LOCAL magazine
2016- Public art (enlarged image wrapped on central Albury substation)
2016- Finalist Pro Hart outback award
2016- Feature artist, Trinity art award
2015- Highly commended Hume art award
2014- Finalist Hume art award
2012- Highly commended Hume art award
2012- Peoples choice (joint) Hume art award
2012- Selected artist, Wonga Wetlands ephemeral project
2012- Commended Chiltern art award