Art

The NGA’s Cressida Campbell Exhibition Celebrates Her Glorious 40-Year Career

Written
by
Lucy Feagins
This Story is Supported by the National Gallery of Australia
Writer
Lucy Feagins
20th of September 2022

Cressida Campbell is one of Australia’s most significant contemporary artists, known for her detailed artworks depicting still life, gardens, bushland and coastal landscapes. But now the National Gallery of Australia is poised to make the artist a household name – with a survey exhibition celebrating her 40-year career.

We were thrilled to visit Cressida recently at her home and studio in Sydney to create this video snapshot of the artist ahead of the exhibition opening later this month! During our shoot, Cressida shared personal insights into some of the 140-plus woodblock paintings and woodcut prints from the National Gallery’s upcoming Cressida Campbell show.

It was so special to spend an afternoon with Cressida at her home to create this film. Her house and garden are her sanctuary – a private world that reflects the artist’s many passions. The walls are filled with intriguing paintings (none of her own!), ceramics, textiles, glass vases and arrangements of plants and flowers. Much like the artist herself, this space tells many stories!

Above all, witnessing Cressida at work is a privilege. Her meticulous process must be seen to be believed – as her works often take many months to complete. Decades since she first started her career, it’s clear Cressida hasn’t lost her childhood love of art-making or her unique way of capturing the beauty of everyday life.

Cressida Campbell opens at the National Gallery of Australia from 24 September 2022 to 19 February 2023. Tickets are available here.

 

Inside Cressida Campbell’s light-filled home. Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Lucy Feagins

The amazing Cressida herself! Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Lucy Feagins

Her Bronte home is a reflection of her creativity and career in the arts. Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Lucy Feagins

Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Lucy Feagins

Cressida Campbell Japanese Hydrangeas 2005 Private collection © Cressida Campbell

Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Lucy Feagins

Her process is incredibly detailed and meticulous! Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Lucy Feagins

On left: Cressida Campbell, ‘Nasturtiums’, 2002, woodcut, printed in watercolour, 58.4 x 60 cm, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Gift of Margaret Olley 2006. Image courtesy of the Art Gallery of New South Wales © Cressida Campbell. On right: Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Lucy Feagins

Cressida Campbell, ‘Margaret Olley interior’, 1992, woodcut, printed in watercolour, 88 x 70 cm, private collection © Cressida Campbell

Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Lucy Feagins

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