Michael Simms

Michael Simms is a multi-award winning artist based in Sydney whose work is characterised by dream-like depictions of the human figure. Ranging from traditional portraiture to explorations of identity in the digital age and queer culture, his diverse paintings and drawings combine elements of classicism, romanticism, surrealism and psychology.

Michael completed a degree in psychology in his hometown of Adelaide before winning a scholarship for Sydney’s historic Julian Ashton Art School. In 2018, he was awarded the Royal Art Society of NSW Young Artist Prize, the inaugural SBS Portrait Prize, and the EBNA Portrait Prize. Michael has been a finalist in several major art awards, including the Doug Moran, Black Swan and Kilgour prizes and has put several notable Australians onto canvas such as Thomas Keneally, Liz Ellis, Paul Capsis and Genevieve Lemon.

He is a resident artist at Project 504, an experimental art collective in North Sydney.

2011 - 2014 The Julian Ashton Art School (Diploma of Fine Arts)

2006 - 2011 Flinders University (Bachelor of Behavioural Science and Bachelor of Arts)

SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018 ‘Interfacing’, Stanley Street Gallery, Darlinghurst, Sydney
2017 'Brink', Cambridge Studio Gallery, Collingwood, Melbourne
2016 'Reverie', Artworld Studio Gallery, Norman Park, Brisbane

SELECT GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2018 ‘Undercurrents’, Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne
2018 'Temporal', Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane
2017 'Exploration 17', Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne
2017 'The Other Art Fair', Australia Technology Park, Sydney
2016 'Uncovered: Making a Work of Art', Project 504, St Leonards, Sydney