"The art of landscape is subjective. A landscape painting can tell us as much about who painted it as it does about what is in front of us. Lucy Vader's landscapes are intricate and beautiful, but the skies often seem to hint at an oncoming storm almost a threat that what we see is impermanent, however captivating it may be now."

Richard Wakefield, Lucy's chess opponent and art critic.

Unsurprisingly, for someone whose family has farmed for generations, Lucy Vader conveys a landscape that is as much felt as it is seen. She applies paint in layers that obscure the boundary between abstraction and representation. Stand close to one of Vader's works, and her brushstrokes draw you into a richly textured world of deep colours. Move away from the canvas, and wide, grassy paddocks emerge, frequently populated by sheep golden and camouflaged against parched yellow land, or with bright white fleeces that contrast with rainrestored grass. Vader's sheep graze, amble away, or remain inscrutable. These are anchoring motifs that dwell in her colour fields, for which she has become known.

Lucy is the child of two bohemian types who had ended their gallivanting between Australia and London who settled, as many did after the Age of Aquarius Festival, in the hinterland of the Byron Shire. Growing up in quite literally a bucolic idyll, from as young as two Lucy was familiarised with the French impressionists, the modernists, Japanese art, Edward Burra, Frank Stella, Rombola and Hockney to name a few. It would seem that she would one day become an artist. She railed firmly against her parents' observation of this, despite exhibiting artistic talent. "No I will not," she insisted, pointing out that artists are usually poor. But the magnetic pull of her true destiny proved to be irresistible, and once she acquiesced and enrolled in National Art School in Sydney, she knew she was home, and she has not looked back.

Vader holds a degree in Fine Art and is also an accomplished sculptor, having exhibited in Sculpture by the Sea. Her works are held in collections, including Australia House in London and Parliament House in Australia.

Lucy's upcoming exhibition, Land and People, will take place on May 1, 2025, at Michael Reid Murrurundi, in collaboration with R.M. Williams. She will be showing alongside three other remarkable artists: Carly Le Cerf, Caxpalani Wanamabi, and Jill Daniels. Gaze for Days, The Tender Moment, and Pasture Dreams will form part of this significant exhibition.

Lucy's solo exhibition will be held in October 2025 at Michael Reid Sydney.
Insta: @lucyvader1 @murrart @michaelreidsydney