Ian Kendrick

I am an Australian painter and graphic artist working in acrylics, enamels, pen and ink. I studied painting, drawing and print making at the Victorian College of the Arts (Melbourne) from 1979 - 81, with a major in painting. After graduation I set up my studio and began painting, while teaching art part-time in a community arts centre. Between 1992-98 I studied art history at the University of Melbourne and, as a PhD student, I worked in Rome, Paris and Copenhagen. In late 1998 I began working as an art librarian at the University of Melbourne. This was my day job for twenty years, while I continued to keep a studio and work on paintings and graphic works. I retired from library work in 2017 and have since been working full time in my studio. My work is held in private collections in San Francisco, Melbourne, Hobart and Launceston.

My principle theme is art within art. I began this approach in 1985, using synthetic cubism as a springboard for my compositions. I like to juxtapose abstract and representational forms, patterns and symbols, to create multi-layered allusions to contemporary ideas and art-historical contexts. Ultimately, I think it is important to correlate my work with the art of the past and contemporary frames of ref...

B.A. in Fine Arts (Painting), 1982, Victorian College of the Arts;
B.Litt (Hons), (Art History), 1997, The University of Melbourne;
Ph.D (Art History), 1995-2000, The University of Melbourne, discontinued.

I have been included in group exhibitions and held solo exhibitions in and around Melbourne. In 2006 a large retrospective of my work was held at Rinaldi Gallery in Brunswick, followed by several exhibitions of new work over the years. I have also held numerous studio exhibitions throughout my career.