Andy Quilty

"Drawing is a truly egalitarian form of image-making”

Andy Quilty is a multidisciplinary artist based in Rockingham, Western Australia, whose work explores themes of masculinity, class, crime, and suburban identity. Working with materials such as ballpoint pen, auto enamel, aerosol paint, and even burnout marks from vehicles, Quilty draws on the visual language of outer-suburban Australia to create raw, expressive pieces. His practice is deeply rooted in personal and cultural narratives, often reflecting on his own experiences growing up in Perth’s southern suburbs. He completed his Master of Fine Arts by Research at the University of Western Australia, with a focus on the aesthetics and stereotypes of the Australian outer suburbs.

In addition to his studio practice, Quilty is a lecturer in Fine Arts at UWA and a passionate advocate for arts accessibility and education. He runs workshops across WA in schools, prisons, Aboriginal art centres, and community groups, and is involved in veteran support through the Military Art Program Australia. Quilty is a regular finalist in major national art prizes, including the Black Swan Portrait Prize and the Jacaranda Drawing Award. His work continues to challenge perceptions of suburban life and bring marginalised Australian stories into the gallery space.

Image: Vince Grooby

 About the Artist

  • Lives and Works in Rockingham, WA

    Education

    2024 Master of Fine Arts - Research, The University of Western Australia, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)
    2007 Diploma of Graphic Design, Central TAFE, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)
    2003 Bachelor of Arts (Art), Curtin University of Technology, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)

  • Solo Exhibitions

    • 2024
      Warnbro, Cullity Gallery, The University of Western Australia, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)

    • 2019
      Reserve, Maunsell Wickes Gallery, (Warrane/Sydney, New South Wales)

    • 2018
      The Baldives – New paintings and drawings, Linton and Kay Galleries, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)

    • 2017
      The Baldives, Maunsell Wickes Gallery, (Warrane/Sydney, New South Wales)

    • 2016
      Big heads, little heads and burnout paintings, Linton and Kay Galleries, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)

    • 2015
      Hoon, Goolugatup Heathcote Museum and Gallery, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)

    • 2014
      DILLIGAF, Linton and Kay Galleries, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)

    • 2012
      FIFO, Linton and Kay Galleries, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)
      Red Led, 140 Perth, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)

    • 2011
      The Fear, Linton and Kay Galleries, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)

    Group Exhibitions

    • 2023
      Bread of Bone, Holmes à Court Gallery, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)
      Fremantle Print Award, Fremantle Arts Centre, (Walyalup/Fremantle, Western Australia)

    • 2022
      The Lester Prize, Art Gallery of Western Australia, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)
      Joondalup Invitation Art Award, (Joondalup/Perth, Western Australia)
      Perth Royal Prize for Landscape, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)
      HereNow 22 Outside In, Spectrum Project Space – Edith Cowan University, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)
      Midwest Art Prize, Geraldton Regional Gallery, (Jambinu/Geraldton, Western Australia)
      Environment – Landscapes in Western Australia, Linton and Kay Galleries, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)

    • 2019
      Joondalup Invitation Art Award, (Joondalup, Western Australia)
      Perth Royal Prize for Landscape, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)
      Bunbury Biennale, Bunbury Regional Gallery, (Goomburrup/Bunbury, Western Australia)
      Midwest Art Prize, Geraldton Regional Gallery, (Jambinu/Geraldton, Western Australia)

    • 2018
      The Lester Prize, Art Gallery of Western Australia, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)
      Untitled, Goolugatup Heathcote Museum and Gallery, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)
      Tilt: A Retrospective, Goolugatup Heathcote Museum and Gallery, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)
      Joondalup Invitation Art Award, (Joondalup, Western Australia)
      Perth Royal Prize for Landscape, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)

    • 2017
      Hazelhurst Works on Paper Prize, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery, (Gymea, New South Wales)
      Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing, Adelaide Perry Gallery, (Warrane/Sydney, New South Wales)

    • 2016
      Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award (JADA), Grafton Regional Gallery, (Grafton, New South Wales)
      Joondalup Invitation Art Award, (Joondalup, Western Australia)

    • 2015
      Andy Quilty, Melissa Boughey, Close to Home, Margaret River Gallery, (Wooditchup/Margaret River, Western Australia)
      Kedumba Drawing Award, Orange Regional Gallery, (Orange, New South Wales)
      Midwest Art Prize, Geraldton Regional Gallery, (Jambinu/Geraldton, Western Australia)

    • 2014
      The Lester Prize, Linton and Kay Galleries, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)
      Rick Amor Drawing Prize, Art Gallery of Ballarat, (Ballarat, Victoria)

    • 2013
      Kedumba Drawing Award, Wild Valley Art Park, (Wentworth Falls, New South Wales)
      Unconscious Articulation, Melody Smith Gallery, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)
      Albany Art Prize, Albany Town Hall, (Kinjarling/Albany, Western Australia)
      The Lester Prize, Linton and Kay Galleries, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)
      Sir Charles Gairdener Art Award, Sir Charles Gairdener Hospital, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)
      Salon des Refusés, S.H Ervin Gallery National Trust, (Warrane/Sydney, New South Wales)
      Midwest Art Prize, Geraldton Regional Gallery, (Jambinu/Geraldton, Western Australia)
      Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing, Adelaide Perry Gallery, (Warrane/Sydney, New South Wales)
      Mandjar Art Award, Mandurah Regional Gallery, (Mandjoogoordap/Mandurah, Western Australia)

    • 2012
      The Lester Prize, Linton and Kay Galleries, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)
      Joondalup Invitation Art Award, (Joondalup, Western Australia)

    • 2011
      The Lester Prize, Perth Town Hall, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)
      South Perth Emerging Artist Award, South Perth Community Hall, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)

    • 2009
      The Lester Prize, Perth Town Hall, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)

  • Awards

    • 2018
      Vasse Art Award, First Prize

    • 2016
      Joondalup Invitation Art Award, Award for Excellence
      Inside-Out Billboard Commission Award
      Claremont Art Award, Highly Commended
      Wanneroo Art Award, First Prize
      Vasse Art Award, Highly Commended

    • 2014
      Vasse Art Award, Small Scale Artwork Award

    • 2013
      The Lester Prize, Highly Commended
      Mandjar Art Award, First Prize
      RAS Art Award, First Prize

    • 2012
      Kalgoorlie Boulder Art Prize, First Prize

    • 2011
      South Perth Emerging Artist Award, First Prize

    • 2009
      The Lester Prize, Highly Commended

    Collections

    • The Kedumba Collection of Australian Drawings

    • Bunbury Regional Art Gallery

    • Mandurah Regional Art Gallery

    • Wanneroo Regional Art Gallery

    • City of South Perth

    • City of Melville

    • City of Rockingham

    Residencies

    • 2012
      Cossack Artist in Residence, (Cossack, Western Australia)
      140 Perth, (Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia)

    • 2023
      Denmark Arts, (Kwoorabup/Denmark, Western Australia)

Works by the Artist

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