Karen Preston

Art making as a joyful dance for me, it provides a way to express with gesture, shape and colour what is difficult–if not impossible–to articulate in words.

I developed a passion for colour field abstract expressionism when studying undergraduate art. Moving to live in the hills of South Gippsland and attending the Gippsland School of Art as a postgraduate fostered my appreciation for environmental art. The work I create now is informed by these traditions, as well as drawing on contemporary ideas and approaches.

My most recent works are inspired by eco-systems established in and around water. Combining, fluid lines and bold, ‘unbridled’ shapes these paintings explore change and transformation, tensions and harmonies between surface and depth, and the feelings and emotions associated with being in those places.

PhD (UWS), MEd (Deakin), Dip Art & Design (CIT)

2025 OGB Surf Coast, Epworth Geelong (Solo exhibition)
2025 PICES Pop Up Exhibition, Berninniet Gallery (Group Show)
2024 'Awesome Foursome, Leeson Street Gallery (4 person group show)
2024 Clay and Co, (Solo Show)
2023 PICES Pop Up Exhibition, Ramada Resort, Phillip Island (6 person group show)
2022 Contemporary Gippsland Artists, Kelly & Gemelli Gallery, San Remo (3 person group show)
2021 Plasticity 2, West Gippsland Art Centre, (Solo show)
2019 Plasticity 1, Switchback Gallery, Churchill (Solo show)