Isabelle de Kleine
“There is great beauty in imperfection.”
—Isabelle de Kleine
Painter and multimedia artist Isabelle de Kleine is known for her distinctive blend of figurative realism and abstract collage techniques. Working primarily with watercolour, gouache, acrylics and digital media, she creates layered compositions that explore the complexities of identity, memory and perception. Her work frequently features fragmented human forms intertwined with geometric shapes and textured surfaces, reflecting the fragmented nature of personal and collective experience in the digital age.
De Kleine completed her studies at Curtin University, where she honed her skills and developed her unique visual language. Her art has been exhibited in numerous solo and group shows across Australia, gaining recognition for its emotional depth and conceptual rigour. Through her innovative use of mixed media, de Kleine invites viewers to consider the fluidity of selfhood and the beauty found within imperfection and subjectivity, establishing her as a significant voice in contemporary Australian art.
Image: Artist’s instagram/Adam Kenna Photo
About the Artist
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Born 1994, lives and works in Fremantle/Walyalup, WA
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Expanded Studio Practice) RMIT University
Bachelor of Humanities (Fine Arts), Curtin University
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Selected Solo Exhibitions
2023
World Was On Fire, Curatorial+Co, Sydney, NSW2021
Un-Define, Curatorial+Co, Sydney, NSW
Selected Group Exhibitions
2023
Sydney Contemporary, Carriageworks, Sydney, NSW
Gather Together, Fort Heart, Salamanca Arts Centre, Hobart, TAS2022
Young Guns – On the Left, Linton and Kay Galleries, West Perth, WA
Interconnected, Curated by Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, New England Regional Art Museum, Armidale, NSW
There With Us, Curatorial+Co, @14Langridge, Melbourne, VIC
Darlings, Curatorial+Co, Sydney, NSW2021
Darlings, Curatorial+Co, Sydney, NSW2020
Sydney Contemporary Presents, Online Exhibition
Darlings, Curatorial+Co, Sydney, NSW
Here With Me, Curatorial+Co, Sydney, NSW2019
Next, Sydney Contemporary, Carriageworks, Sydney, NSW
Futures, Hyper Contemporary, Melbourne, VIC2018
Semblance, Curated by Sophie Vander, Comber Street Studios, Sydney, NSW
Shifting Space, 222 Rosslyn, Melbourne, VIC
Winter Days, Off The Kerb, Melbourne, VIC2017
The Thin Veil, The Lost Ones Contemporary Art Gallery, Ballarat, VIC
Project 17: Radical Imminence, Curated by Chantelle Mitchell, Anna Pappas Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
Summer 40’, Rubicon ARI, North Melbourne, VIC2016
Sign O’ the Times, NotFair Art Fair, Curated by Kirsten Rann, 534 Flinders Street, Melbourne, VIC
Debut XII, Curated by Xanthe Dobbie and Caitlin Patane, BLINDSIDE ARI, Melbourne, VIC
Accidental Discharge Presents: ALL, Curated by Mailie Bowen and Gemma Mahoney, Neon Parlour, Melbourne, VIC2015
Macquarie Digital Portrait Award, National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, ACT
School of Art Graduate Exhibition, RMIT, Melbourne, VIC
Tough Crowd, First Site Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
Emerging Artist Award, fortyfivedownstairs, Melbourne, VIC
Black Cat Café, Melbourne, VIC2014
Dream/Sleep, Black Cat Café, Melbourne, VIC
Hypnagogia: Strange Visitations, Melbourne, VIC
Alia Art House, Melbourne, VIC2013
H2B Group Exhibition, House of Bricks, Melbourne, VIC
Small Strange Works, Exit Strategy Studios, Melbourne, VIC2012
Perspectives, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth, WA2011
Black Swan Prize for Portraiture, Youth Portrait Prize, Linton and Kay Galleries, Perth, WA
Shaun Tan Award, Perth, WA
St George’s Art, St George’s Cathedral, Perth, WA
Melville Art Award, Melville City Council, Perth, WA2010
Shaun Tan Award, Town Hall, City of Subiaco, Perth, WA
Black Swan Prize for Portraiture, Youth Portrait Prize, Linton and Kay Galleries, Perth, WA2009
Angelico Award, Catholic Arts, Perth, WA
Dalwallinu Art Award, Dalwallinu, WA2008
Angelico Award, Catholic Arts, Perth, WA
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Residencies / Internship / Volunteer
2016
Residency, The Edge, State Library of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD2015
Internship, Backwoods Gallery, Melbourne, VIC2014
Volunteer, Seventh Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
Awards
2016
Winner, Arkley Prize, Sponsored by Gorman Clothing, NotFair Art Fair, 524 Flinders St, Melbourne, VIC2015
Winner, Macquarie Digital Portrait Award, National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, ACT
Winner, Tolarno Hotel Acquisitive Painting Prize, Melbourne, VIC2010
Runner Up, Black Swan Prize for Portraiture, Youth Portrait Prize, Linton and Kay Galleries, Perth, WA2009
Runner Up, Angelico Award, Catholic Arts, Perth, WA
Runner Up, Dalwallinu Art Award, Dalwallinu, WA
Festivals
2016
Gertrude Street Projection Festival, Melbourne, VIC2015
Early Transmissions, Channels Festival, Federation Square Big Screen, RMIT Design Hub, and Speakeasy Cinema, Grey Gardens Project Space, Melbourne, VIC
Collections
National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, ACT
RMIT School of Art Collection, Melbourne, VIC
Tolarno Hotel Collection, Melbourne, VIC
Santa Maria College Collection, Perth, WA
140 x 113cm