Arts Project Australia (APA) is on a mission to help neurodivergent artists shape ‘the future of contemporary art’.
Founded in 1974, APA is a not-for-profit charity that uplifts neurodivergent artists and artists with intellectual disabilities to build meaningful careers in the art industry — whether that’s through providing a workspace in their Melbourne-based studio, exhibition opportunities, or by selling their artwork in their gallery and online store.
Representing more than 150 artists, APA’s diverse talent pool is nothing short of impressive, ranging from established artists who’ve been working with them for decades to emerging creatives who are just getting started.
With so many works to explore, and pieces starting from under $200, we’re shining a spotlight on 12 incredible artists to shop below!
Artists work in Arts Project Australia’s Northcote studio. Photo – Amelia Stanwix
Photo – Amelia Stanwix
The artists are also mentored by arts professionals, who help connect artists and their work with the contemporary art world. Photo – Amelia Stanwix
Girl in Blue and White Dress by Emily Dober. ($380)
Untitled by Emily Dober. ($380)
Emily Dober is an emerging multi-disciplinary artist whose practice blends painting, illustration and collage, playing with the female form in figuration and abstraction. Using softly layered colours and expressive brushstrokes, her paintings have a playful, dream-like essence.
Helmut Kolle by Christian Semertzidis. ($180)
Untitled by Christian Semertzidis. ($200)
Lady balancing Over the water by Christian Semertzidis. ($180)
Emerging artist Christian Semertzidis uses historical art and still-life references in his textural drawings, inspired by the likes of Dali or Claude Monet, to name a few. There’s a moody, haunting quality to the figures in his work, and having only started working with Arts Project Australia in 2022, he’s definitely one to watch!
Mona Vale 328 Clarke St. Northcote by Chris O’Brien. ($360)
Mona Vale 328 Clarke St. Northcote by Chris O’Brien. ($360)
42 Milton St. Ascot Vale by Chris O’Brien. ($360)
Chris O’Brien’s art is all about creating alternate realities and humorous characters, even including versions of himself and friends in his fictional stories. While his work spans painting, printmaking, moving image, and zines, he’s best known for his textiles and playful soft sculptures that exude charm in their hand-stitched details.
Untitled by Alvaro Alvarez. ($500)
Untitled by Alvaro Alvarez. ($700)
After Gilbert and George Dream 1984 by Alvaro Alvarez. ($300)
Born in Costa Rica but now living in Melbourne, Alvaro Alvarez creates abstract paintings and drawings that are buzzing with energy and emotion. His wild compositions are brought to life with deliberate brushstrokes and feathery pencil lines, using layers upon layers to create his distinctive and colourful pieces.
Big House by Anthony Romagnano. ($600)
Met Gala, 2025 Dynasty Ogun & Soull Ogun by Anthony Romagnano. ($800)
2 Cockatoos by Anthony Romagnano. ($800)
Anthony Romagnano works predominantly with coloured pencil to create highly saturated drawings of imagery from pop culture, domestic life, and the natural world. Finding inspiration in everything from the celebrities of the Met Gala to lush landscapes, Anthony’s mosaic-like style instantly draws you into his hyper-colourful world. And he’s gained further national recognition as a finalist in this year’s prestigious Archibald Prize!
Untitled by Simon Paredes. ($320)
Untitled (Twisties Cheese) by Simon Paredes. ($320)
Nylex Plastics by Simon Paredes. ($400)
You might recognise Simon Paredes’ distinctive style from his popular poster collaboration with Food For Everyone and Melbourne sandwich shop, Stefanino Panino! Working primarily in pencil on paper, the emerging artist documents the visual culture of everyday life through carefully rendered drawings of architecture, household objects and retro products, often reimagining familiar logos and typefaces into his own signature sans serif typography.
Using a mix of ink, gouache, and pastel, Fulli Andrinopoulos’ small-scale paintings are defined by her signature gradient hues and floating circular forms. Her work has appeared in galleries around Australia and overseas (even exhibiting in Paris!), and we can’t get enough of her captivating and calming compositions.
Having worked with Arts Project Australia since 1991, Alan Constable is an accomplished ceramicist, painter, and draughtsman, best known for his ceramic cameras, telescopes and binoculars. As an artist with low vision, Constable impressively commits the form of referent objects to memory before recreating them in clay, and the outcomes are finished in colourful glazes. With his work featured in major museums like the NGV, these detailed ceramics are a worthy addition to any collection!
Working across pencil, ink and gouache, George Aristovoulou creates atmospheric compositions that blur the line between abstraction and figuration. His distinctive works layer stripes, colour and imagery into immersive, shadowy worlds that feel completely unique.
And Beetles by Termites… by Georgia Szmerling ($480)
Untitled by Georgia Szmerling. ($2500)
Known for her vibrant depictions of landscapes, beaches and native flora, Georgia Szmerling creates immersive works inspired by time spent in local nature reserves. A dedicated Arts Project Australia artist since 2003, Georgia’s star is on the rise — having just been named a finalist in the 2026 Wynne Prize for her painting Reflection of pond with nature!
Over decades of practice, working with Arts Project Australia since 1988, Julian Martin has refined his visual language from geometric pastel drawings into meditative graphite works. Now working in layered fields, he creates abstract works on paper that are equal parts subtle and striking. With countless solo and group shows under his belt, he’s even represented by a gallery over in the US.
Ruth Howard’s ceramic sculptures transform clay into tactile, otherworldly forms that feel unearthed from the depths of the ocean or earth. Built through layering and stacking, her glazed works celebrate texture, movement and organic growth, while her paintings lean more minimalist, emphasising the interplay between shape and negative space.
Find out more about Arts Project Australia and explore the complete online store here.
