Rachel Fairfax is a figurative painter.
She was born in Sydney and grew up in Forster/Tuncurry, on the NSW mid-North Coast of Australia.
Currently she lives and works in Sydney..
Rachel studied a BA (Fine Art Painting) then Honours (Drawing) at National Art School, East Sydney from 1998-2002.
Rachel is trained as a painter and has exhibited Paintings, Drawings and Ceramics, professionally since graduation.
She is a Lecturer in Drawing and Painting at the National Art School, East Sydney 2003-present.
She is currently represented by Stella Downer Fine Art, Sydney and Harvison Gallery, Perth. She was represented by NG Art Gallery 2010-2013, Ray Hughes Gallery 2005-2010 and Defiance Gallery 2002-2005.
Rachel won two Reg Richardson Scholarships in 2003 and carried out two Hill End Residencies in Murray's and Haefliger's cottages. She won the Maunsell Wickes Barry Stern Galleries painting prize in 2005 and won the Art Moment Gallery Painting Prize in 2006. She carried out a Taronga Zoo Artist in Residency project in 2009. She lived in Hong Kong for 2011, working on Artist in Residency projects there.
Rachel has taken on significant commissions and residencies and been selected for many art prizes, all listed in her CV on the Profile page.
Her work is held in public collections of Artbank, Sydney Airport, St Vincents Hospital, Bathurst Regional Gallery, Tetsyua's Restaurants and private collections of Ray Hughes, Reg Richardson, Joe Montano Jonathan Self (Ireland), Defiance Gallery, Michael Nock (Hong Kong) to name a few.
Rachel was named as one of Australia's 10 leading artists on Australia Day 2009 and Australia Day 2013 in The Sydney Morning Herald.
Latest News
Finalists in the NSW Paliament Plein Air Painting Prize
Stella Downer Fine Art artist, Rachel Fairfax has been selected as a finalist for the NSW Paliament Plein Air Painting Prize. Fairfax presented a painting of Redleaf Pool (Murray Rose Pool) near Woollahra Library NSW in oil paint on oil paper. Fairfax, as a finalist is in the running for a prize of $20,000, awarded for the best ‘plein air’ painting of a NSW subject.
click here to read about the prize
Solo Exhibition at Stella Downer Fine Art - 7 April - 25 April, 2015
You are invited to Rachel Fairfax's new exhibition at Stella Downer Fine art '100 Years Ago: Devotion'
Gallipoli is a landmark of historical refuge for Australians through memorials and ritualised remembrance.100 Years Ago: Devotion showcases the RACHEL FAIRFAX’s response to the ANZAC centenary of the landing at Gallipoli. Through a selection of paintings and ceramics FAIRFAX has delved into these histories, with particular focus on the women who served in the Australian Army Nursing Services and the role of animals in World War I.
click here to view the exhibition
click here to download the invitation
2015 ANZAC Prize finalist
Rachel Fairfax has been accepted as a finalist into the ANZAC Prize in Brisbane. Image: Rachel Fairfax, 'Matron Grace Wilson, Lemnos Is., 2015, oil on board, 80 x 100 cm
Fishers Ghost Art Prize 2014
Rachel Fairfax has been selected as a finalist in the Fishers Ghost Art Prize for her work Driving from Gallipoli to Fethiye, Turkey 2013 - 25 drawings, pencil on paper 50x75cm
WAYS youth Art Auction
Waverly Action For Youth Services invites you to attend the 2014 charity art auction for Kids at Risk on Tuesday 11th November 6.00pm at Ravesi's Hotel and Restaurant Bondi Beach. Join The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP, Member for Wentworth as patron and MC Tom Steinfort and offer your support. Auctioneers: Damien Minton and Jason Pantzer
Solo Exhibition at Stella Downer Fine Art - Opening Saturday 19 July 3-5pm
This exhibition brings together an amalgamation of the artists represented at Stella Downer Fine Art. Here is to be found the diversity of work by TANYA CHAITOW, JANET DAWSON, MERRAN ESSON, DAVID FAIRBAIRN, RACHEL FAIRFAX, ASHLEY FROST and MARY MACQUEEN, through paintings, drawings and sculptures.
Harvison Gallery invites you to RACHEL FAIRFAX East meets West opening 10 October 2014
Sydney artist Rachel Fairfax is making the trip west and Harvison Gallery invites you to attend an evening preview of her upcoming solo exhibition East meets West featuring paintings of the east coast, scenes that reflect Rachel's life by the ocean, and paintings and ceramics inspired by her two trips along the Larapinta trail.
click here to view the invitation
click here to visit Harvison Gallery
Group Exhibition at Stella Downer Fine Art - Opening Saturday 19 July 3-5pm
This exhibition brings together an amalgamation of the artists represented at Stella Downer Fine Art. Here is to be found the diversity of work by TANYA CHAITOW, JANET DAWSON, MERRAN ESSON, DAVID FAIRBAIRN, RACHEL FAIRFAX, ASHLEY FROST and MARY MACQUEEN, through paintings, drawings and sculptures.
Finalist in the 2014 NSW Parliament Plein Air Painting Prize
My painting Wylies Baths Seascape NSW has been selected as a finalist in the 2014 NSW Parliament Plein Air painting prize.
Judges: Phil Goldsmith (NSW Parliament representative), Katrina Cashman (Senior Curator, Mosman Art Gallery) and Neil Evans (Artist represented by Watters Gallery)
Finalist in the 2014 Gallipoli Art Prize
This painting Lone Pine, Gallipoli was selected as a finalist for the 2014 Gallipoli Art Prize, judged by John McDonald.
Finalist in the 2014 Stanthorpe Art Prize
"This painting Ocean Swimmer, Pink Sky was selected as a finalist in the 2014 Stanthorpe Art Prize judged by Angela Goddard BA, Curator from Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art.
More information about the prize and exhibition can be found at http://www.stanthorpeartfestival.com.au/
Harvison Gallery invites you to RACHEL FAIRFAX Animals on Show 29 September - 16 October 2013
The latest exhibition from Rachel Fairfax at Harvison Gallery in Perth is called Animals on Show and includes paintings of birds, rural livestock, and dogs taken from her drawings done at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney.
click here to view the invitation (pdf)
click here to view the exhibition
5 Questions with Rachel Fairfax
Gallipoli and Beyond is an exhibition of works on paper by Rachel Fairfax. The artist presents a quiet view of Turkey, with washes of soft colour that create a sense of the still moment. From ancient cities to the mosques of Istanbul, Fairfax reflects the beauty of a country where many histories co-exist.
5 Questions with Rachel Fairfax: Part 1 of 3
5 Questions with Rachel Fairfax: Part 2 of 3
5 Questions with Rachel Fairfax: Part 3 of 3
Stella Downer Fine Art warmly invites you to RACHEL FAIRFAX Gallipoli and Beyond 27 August - 21 September 2013. Opening Saturday 31 August, 3 – 5 pm
Gallipoli and Beyond is an exhibition of works on paper by RACHEL FAIRFAX. The artist presents a quiet view of Turkey, with washes of soft colour that create a sense of the still moment. She captures iconic locations such as Brighton Beach and ANZAC Cove with a lightness of hand that reflects the ordinary beauty of these historic sights. Riverboats pause on the Gulf of Fethiye; mountain islands stand between blue water and sky. From ancient cities to the mosques of Istanbul, FAIRFAX reflects the beauty of a country where many histories co-exist.
click here to view the invitation (pdf)
click here to view the exhibition
click here to view on City of Sydney's What's on
Art Gulet Cruise June 2013
Australia Day 2013
The Canberra Times asked 12 leading Australian artists for their artistic vision of our national identity"
"When I wake up to the sounds of the cockatoos screeching through the skies over the Coogee Vallery, I know I am home"
Stella Downer Fine Art
ZoologicaTANYA CHAITOW, VIOLA DOMINELLO, LYNDA DRAPER, RACHEL FAIRFAX, JUDY HOLDING, JACQUI HUDSON, SHERRIE KNIPE, MIKI KUBO, STEVE LOPES, JOY WARREN, TREVOR WEEKES, JOHN WRIGHT.
19 February – 16 March 2013
Opening Saturday 23 February, 3 - 5pm
click here to view the invitation (pdf)
click here to view the media release (pdf)
Rachel Fairfax - Spirit Birds
5th February - 23rd February
Spirit Birds will be opened by distinguished Australian artist Lucy Cullitonon Tuesday 5 February at NG Art Gallery, Chippendale, from 6 - 8pm.
Rachel Fairfax's latest solo exhibition at NG Art Gallery conjures up much more than visual beauty; Fairfax uses her alluring subjects as symbols of renewal, regeneration, fertility, sensuality and sexuality. However, put simply, "It's about love."
The senses are awakened as a level of synesthesia exudes from the portraits; musicality in her brushstrokes and use of colour extract a sense of spirituality and new beginnings.
Glimpses of text and appropriation are seen as they penetrate through the layers of paint, blurred and distorted on purpose. These subtle but defining developments in Fairfax's work mark a very poignant shift in her artistic journey.
The Deck the Walls exhibition at Stella Downer Fine Art
13 November - 15 December 2012
Deck the Walls celebrates the year in art. Feast on brand new works by FILOMENA COPPOLA, VIOLA DOMINELLO, RACHEL FAIRFAX, ASHLEY FROST, MERRICK FRY, MIKI KUBO, ISHBEL MORAG MILLER & LIZ SHREEVE. Presenting eight gifted artists, Deck the Walls brings Christmas tidings and suggests a flourishing creative spirit.
The painting selected for the Wilson Art Award
was also selected for the Redlands Art Award in Queensland www.redlandartawards.org.au
and also selected for the Gainsborough Greens Art Award in Queensland www.gainsboroughgreens.com.au/artawards
and also selected for the Flanagan Art Prize Exhibition in Ballarat, Victoria www.stpats.vic.edu.au
Waverley Action for Youth Services Art Auction 2012
This painting Bird Show, Ducks 2012 has been selected among the leading artists participating in the Waverley Action for Youth Services Art Auction 2012
The 2010 auction included such artists as David Bromley, Peter Sharp, Lucy Culliton, John Coburn, Martin Sharp, Rachel Fairfax and many other artists complementing the prestigious line up
This painting has been selected for the Wilson Art Award.
Cows and Ducks
Easter Show 2012
Oil on board, 90x90cm
More information about the prize and exhibition can be found at www.wilsonartaward.com.au/the-award/exhibition-in-brief/
This painting "Wylies Baths Coogee" received a "Highly Commended" in the Waverley Art Prize for 2012, judged by Kerrie Lester and Sam Dickerson.
Wylies Baths Coogee
Oil on Canvas, 90x90cm
More information about the prize and exhibition can be found at www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/things_to_do/arts_and_culture/waverley_art_prize
PLC Sydney invites you toRiversdale Dreaming
An exhibition of artworks by:
Artist in Residence
Rachel Fairfax
and Year 11 Visual Arts students
'SHIP SHAPE' – THE BOAT SHOW
Defiance Gallery
Exhibition dates and opening:
10 – 26 November 2011
Opening 6-8pm Thursday 10 November
This painting has been selected as a finalist in
Victoria's ANL Maritime Art Prize.
Fishing Boats, Wallis Lake, Forster Tuncurry, 2011,
Oil on Canvas, 120x120cm
Their website is www.missiontoseafarers.com.au
Opening night and Prize announcement is Thursday night 6th October in Melbourne.
Landscapes of the Larapinta Trail
NG Art Gallery
5th - 23rd July 2011
Driving up the Larapinta Trail in The Northern Territory, Rachel Fairfax, was so inspired by the landscape, she was sketching in the car. 'I got a bit car sick,' she laughs, 'But I just had to document it. There was...'
Read More
Exhibition Invite (pdf)
Adelaide Perry Drawing Prize 2011
Rachel's drawing "Birthday Waterhole Larapinta Trail" has been selected to be represented in the Adelaide Perry Drawing Prize which opens on 25th February 2011.
For more infomation please see:
www.plc.nsw.edu.au
Distant Bridges
18 January - 5 February 2011
The Distant Bridges exhibition for Amnesty International is a beautiful charity exhibition in support of refugees.
This exhibition includes 2 of Rachel's ocean paintings - an interpretation of the theme "The Journey of a Thousand Miles begins with a Single Step" by Chinese Philosopher Lao Tse.
For more infomation please see: www.ngart.com.au