Starr | Under the Milky Way

Description

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Starr is a celebrated Australian Magical Realism artist whose distinctive and emotionally resonant work
has been shown in solo and group exhibitions around the world for over 25 years. Since graduating from
Queensland College of Art in 1994, Starr has built a resilient and dynamic career, marked by a long series
of solo exhibitions across Australia, Europe, Asia, and the United States. Her work is currently held in
permanent and private collections internationally—including a dedicated display at La Nouvelle Eve in
Paris. Many of her collectors have followed her artistic journey for more than 30 years—a testament to
her creative consistency and enduring appeal.
Fusing the fantastical with the contemporary, Starr’s vibrant canvases explore themes of femininity,
wonder, movement and emotional connection. Her expressive brushwork and colour-rich palette give
her paintings a dreamlike, cinematic quality—inviting the viewer into a world where ballet dancers,
fairytale figures, and urban skylines coexist in spirited harmony. Her ongoing ‘Alice in Wonderland’
series exemplifies her skill in interweaving narrative and symbolism with painterly flair.
Starr’s work has been described as theatrical, romantic, and unapologetically bold. Her visual style
resonates strongly with collectors looking for meaning and magic. Her art is not just to be seen—it is to
be experienced.
Living on the outskirts of Brisbane and being surrounded by nature, not only inspired Starr to create her
own magical garden wonderland for her menagerie of animals, but has also allowed her artistic
imagination to flourish.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Visual Art – Fine Art Queensland College of Art, Griffith University (1990–1994)
SELECTED AWARDS
Finalist – Lethbridge 10,000 Small Scale Art Award (2016–2019)
Finalist – Brisbane Rotary Art Prize (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019)
Winner – Art 57 Sydney (2011)
Finalist – Tattersall’s Landscape Art Prize (2009)
Winner – Minister’s Award for Excellence in Art (1989)