Samantha Dennison
“Bringing home flowers and objects for arranging is one of my favourite parts of the painting process. … The compositions of my paintings continue to reflect my search for space and stillness.”
- Samantha Dennison
Samantha Dennison is a highly regarded contemporary realist painter and ceramicist based in Albany/Kinjarling on the south coast of Western Australia. Originally from Perth, she studied Art Education at Edith Cowan University and taught high‑school art for over a decade before relocating in 2012 with her family to Albany. Since then, she has focused primarily on still life painting, sourcing objects—flowers, ceramics, found items—from her local community and garden to explore themes of space, memory, and belonging. Her practice is deeply informed by her roles as artist, potter, parent, and regional resident, making everyday objects potent containers of narrative and identity.
Dennison’s paintings are characterized by luminous, layered oil glazes and meticulous compositions that emphasize the interplay between object and surrounding negative space. She begins each work with a warm burnt sienna underpainting, overlaid by thin translucent layers that allow light to glow through surface details—often extending beyond the canvas edges to hint at an expanded world just out‑of‑frame. Her muted earthy tones are occasionally punctuated by local native blooms and handmade vessels—some created by Dennison herself—reflecting her ongoing engagement with ceramics and the landscape. Winner of the 2023 City of Albany Acquisitive Award, and a finalist in prize competitions including the Mandorla and Ravenswood Women’s Art Prize, her work is held in major public collections such as the Royal Perth Hospital and in private collections nationally and overseas.
Image: Serena Kirby
About the Artist
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Lives and works in Albany, WA
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Selected Solo Exhibitions
2019
New Paintings, A K Bellinger Gallery, Inverell, NSW2017
Across the Road and Around the Corner, Linton and Kay Galleries2015
Conversations, Vancouver Arts Centre, Albany, WA2003
Escape, Gallows Gallery, Mosman Park, WA
Selected Group Exhibitions
2019
Great Southern Art Award, Albany
The Alternative Archive, MIX Artists, Albany2018
Christmas Exhibition, Part 2, Allison K Bellinger Gallery
Women of the West, Linton and Kay Galleries
Hale Fine Art Show
Perth College Art Exhibition2017
Women of Wildflowers, Linton and Kay Galleries
Hyper-Botanica, Gallerysmith, Melbourne
Trophy, MIX Artists, PIAF Great Southern Festival, Albany2016
Artist Open House Fremantle
City of Albany Art Prize
Square, MIX Artists Inc, PIAF Great Southern Festival, Albany
Hale Fine Art Show2015
Fleurt, Saint Cloche Gallery, Sydney
Great Southern Art Award, Albany2014
Great Southern Art Award, Albany2011
Meticulous Miniatures Exhibition, Mundaring Art Centre2008
Perth College Art Exhibition2007
Perth College Art Exhibition
Methodist Ladies College Biennial Art Exhibition2006
Arthritis Foundation of WA Art Award2005
Perth College Art Exhibition
Minnawarra Festival of Art
Methodist Ladies College Biennial Art Exhibition2004
Perth College Art Exhibition
Trinity College Art Award
Arthritis Foundation of WA Art Exhibition
Guide Dogs Association Art Exhibition2003
Methodist Ladies College Biennial Art Exhibition2002
Minnawarra Festival of Art
Hospice Cancer Foundation Annual Art and Craft Exhibition2001
Waratah Red Cross Art Exhibition1998
Albany Art Prize1997
Fremantle Art Voyage II Exchange, Whitbread Round the World Race (WA/UK)1996
Printmakers Association of WA Annual Open and Experimental Exhibitions1995
Idiosyncrasies - Printmakers Association of WA1992
Printmakers Association of WA Annual Open and Experimental Exhibitions
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Awards
2018
Finalist, Eutick Memorial Still Life Award2016
Finalist, City of Albany Art Prize2015
Painting Prize, Great Southern Art Award
Popular Choice Award, Great Southern Art Award2014
Popular Choice Award, Great Southern Art Award
Highly Commended, Great Southern Art Award2003
Highly Commended, Leonora Art Award2002
Highly Commended, City of Melville Art Awards2001
First Prize - Acrylic, City of Melville Art Awards
Highly Commended, City of Gosnells Art Awards1998
Highly Commended, Albany Art Prize
Collections
City of Gosnells
Methodist Ladies College
33 x 43cm