Michael Simms
Michael Simms is a multi-award winning artist based in Sydney. Born in Adelaide, he completed degrees in psychology and film at Flinders University before winning a scholarship to study fine art at the Julian Ashton Art School. Inspired by subjects on the cusp of change, Michael’s paintings and drawings are both literal and allegorical expressions of transformation.
EDUCATION
2011 - 2014 Diploma of Fine Arts, The Julian Ashton Art School, Sydney (Recipient of the Sydney Mechanics School of Art Scholarship)
2006 - 2011 Bachelor of Behavioural Science and Bachelor of Arts, Flinders University, Adelaide
AWARDS AND PRIZES
2017
Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, NSW – Finalist
Lethbridge 10,000 Art Award, Lethbridge Gallery, QLD – Highly Commended
Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Galley, NSW – Finalist
EBNA, YSC Consultancy, NSW – Highly Commended
Fisher’s Ghost Art Prize, Campbelltown Arts Centre, NSW – Finalist
Lyn McCrea Drawing Prize, Noose Regional Gallery, QLD – Finalist
Manning Art Prize, Manning Regional Gallery, NSW – Finalist
Marie Ellis Drawing Prize, Jugglers Art Space, QLD - Finalist
Contemporary Art Awards, QLD – Finalist
2016
Cliftons Sydney Art Prize, Cliftons Sydney – Winner
Cliftons Sydney People’s Choice Award, Cliftons Sydney – Winner
Who Is Looking At You Portrait Prize, Cambridge Studio Gallery, VIC - Winner
Black Swan Prize for Portraiture, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth – Finalist
Emerging Artist Award, Fortyfivedownstairs, Melbourne – Finalist
Percival Tucker Portrait Prize, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville - Finalist
Blacktown Art Prize, Blacktown Arts Centre, Sydney – Finalist
Marie Ellis Drawing Prize, Jugglers Art Space, Brisbane – Finalist
Calleen Art Award, Cowra Regional Art Gallery, Cowra - Finalist Contemporary Art Awards, Brisbane - Finalist
ArtWorld Studio Portrait Prize, ArtWorld Studio Gallery, Brisbane - Highly Commended
2015
Contemporary Art Awards, Brisbane - Finalist
Who Is Looking At You Portrait Prize, Cambridge Studio Gallery, Melbourne - Highly Commended
2013
Richard and Wenda Ashton Art Prize - Winner
Sydney Mechanics School of Art Full-time Scholarship for The Julian Ashton Art School - Winner
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2017 Brink, Cambridge Studio Gallery, Melbourne
2016 Reverie, ArtWorld Studio Gallery, Brisbane
SELECT GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2017
The Other Art Fair, Australian Technology Park Eveleigh, Sydney
Medley II, Gaffa Gallery, Sydney
Exploration 17, Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne
Virtual Connections, No 1 Martin Place (Mezzanine Floor), Sydney
2016
Mythos, The Depot II Gallery, Sydney
Medley, The Depot Gallery, Sydney
Uncovered, Project [504], St Leonards, Sydney
2015
Vision, M2 Gallery, Surry Hills, Sydney
Every Boardroom Needs An Artist, The Museum of Contemporary Art Quayside Room, Sydney
Opening Exhibition, Chancery Lane Gallery, Adelaide
2014
The Julian Ashton Art School Students and Teachers Exhibition, The Sydney Mechanics School of Art
The Rocks Village Bizarre, Pop Up Gallery, The Rocks, Sydney
2013
The Julian Ashton Art School Students and Teachers Exhibition, The Sydney Mechanics School of Art
2012
Building Bridges, The UTS Gallery, Sydney
2011
Adelaide Fringe Festival Shimmering West Art Collective, Higher Ground, Adelaide
PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA
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‘Top Talents To Watch In 2018’, The Music, January 2018
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Talking With Painters The Podcast, Episode 24, 2017
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ABC Weekend Breakfast, 15 October 2017
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The Guardian Australia, 11 October 2017
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‘Sydney Artist Paints Westmead Doctors in New Light’, Western Sydney Local Health District News, 19 January 2016
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‘People Person Paints Portrait’, Parramatta Sun, 27 January 2016.
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Artist Hand Double, A Place To Call Home Season 3, Seven Network, November 2015
Currently we have no editions available.
Commission Enquiry
Commission Message
If you have seen an artwork by this artist but it’s sold or you would like something similar in a different size, you are welcome to email us an enquiry and we will start the process of commissioning an artwork.