Australian art holds a distinct voice in the global conversation, rooted in an inherent sense of place and a deep connection to its diverse landscapes and cultural heritage. From the rich traditions of First Nations art to the contemporary practices of our nation’s painters, sculptors, and creatives, Australian art captures the essence of resilience, curiosity, and storytelling. It is art that is inherently tied to the land but simultaneously extends beyond its borders, resonating with audiences worldwide.

This exhibition, presented in collaboration with the High Commission of Australia, exemplifies the power of cultural diplomacy. Embassies and high commissions offer extraordinary opportunities to showcase the talent of their citizens on the world stage. They remind us of the art’s essential role in fostering dialogue, building relationships, and illuminating the nuances of identity. Through exhibitions like this, we not only celebrate artistic achievement but also engage in cultural exchange that enriches and inspires both artist and audience alike.

As co-curators Amanda J Lay and Hester Baldwin, we are honoured to present the works of four exceptional Australian artists: Robert Maclaurin, Brooke Fitzsimons, Susanna Robinson, and Jane Dickins. Each of these artists brings a unique vision to the exhibition, offering distinct perspectives on themes ranging from the Australian landscape's beauty and complexity to deeply personal explorations of identity, memory, and connection.

Robert Maclaurin’s evocative landscapes capture the vast, almost otherworldly expanses of the Australian terrain, evoking its raw power and serene beauty. Brooke Fitzsimons’ works explore textures and forms that invite contemplation, while Susanna Robinson brings a sensitive and introspective lens to themes of nature and humanity. Jane Dickins’ pieces speak to the dynamic interplay between abstraction and representation, offering the viewer a fresh perspective on the familiar. These artists provide a compelling snapshot of contemporary Australian art, demonstrating its depth, diversity, and dynamism.

The curatorial process has been a truly collaborative endeavour, enriched by Amanda J. Lay’s experience and unique perspective as an Australian who has lived and worked as a gallerist, primarily representing Australian artists in the United Kingdom for over 40 years. Hester’s insight into the intersections of cultural identity and artistic expression has added an outsider’s perspective invaluably adding to the curatorial process. This collaboration mirrors the themes at the heart of the works we are presenting: a dialogue between place, perspective, and the universal language of creativity.

We hope that this exhibition not only introduces you to the remarkable talent of these Australian artists but also invites you to reflect on the broader role that art plays in connecting us to each other and to the world. It is a celebration of the talent, innovation, and imagination that defines Australian art, and it is an honour to share it with you in this unique and meaningful space.

Hester Baldwin & Amanda J Lay, 2025

Jane is an Australian artist living and working in Deal, Kent. Using gestural lines and brushstrokes, her figurative paintings explore the dynamic relationship between mood and movement.

Each work begins with a series of blind contour drawings, which help Jane understand and intuitively connect with her subject. She then refines these spontaneous lines with a calligraphy brush and acrylic paint, using fluid strokes to create striking silhouettes of animals and people.

Jane began drawing and painting in 2019 and credits Japan with her understanding of mark-making. While living in Japan, she practised calligraphy with a Japanese master. It was a formative experience, emphasising the economy of line and the potential for meaning to be present in a single brushstroke.

Originally trained as an archaeologist, Jane worked with Aboriginal artists in the desert homelands before winning a Commonwealth scholarship to study prehistoric design at the University of Cambridge. This background in ancient and indigenous art is now a rich resource for her artistic practice.

Inspired by the simplicity and immediacy of folk art and tribal traditions, Jane is drawn to the challenge of distilling a subject’s essence into just a few lines and a limited palette of colours; “this commitment to simplicity is both a technical and philosophical pursuit in my work”.

Robert Maclaurin (b. 1961) is a Scottish artist known for his landscape works depicting the Scottish and Australian wilderness. A graduate of Edinburgh College of Art (BA Hons, 1983; Postgraduate Diploma, 1984), he has earned numerous awards, residencies, and critical acclaim.

Maclaurin’s career highlights include a Royal Scottish Academy travel scholarship to Italy (1984), a Turkish Government Scholarship in Istanbul (15 months), and residencies at Durham Cathedral, The Dunmoochin Foundation in Australia, and Ateliers Höherweg in Germany. His experiences in Turkey, Scotland, and Australia have significantly shaped his work.

His accolades include the Noble Grossart Scottish Painting Award and prestigious commissions for institutions such as the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the English National Trust. Maclaurin’s art is held in notable public and private collections worldwide and has been showcased in prominent exhibitions.

Susanna Robinson (b.1981) is an Australian artist trained in Florence who captures the stillness of private worlds in representational drawings and oil paintings. Her work is held in private collections internationally.

Susanna’s work was selected for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in London in 2023. Her Archibald Prize entry of Chef Guy Grossi was selected for Salon des Refuses and toured to Tweed River Gallery in 2010. Following a solo show in Sydney in 2023, Susanna will show her work in a second solo show at the Gallery at Green and Stone in 2025.

Susanna has spent part of the past decade studying intensive drawing and painting at selective atelier schools in Italy - the Florence Academy of Art and the Angel Academy of Art.

Brooke Fitzsimons (b. Sydney) worked as a graphic designer in magazine production for 10 years before relocating to London. She holds a BA in Fine Art (2001) and a Masters in Research in Art Practice (2013) from Chelsea College of Art, London.

After completing her BA, Brooke co-founded and ran an artist-run studio and exhibition space in London (2003–2012). She has exhibited in London and Sydney, with her paintings held in private collections across the UK, Europe, and Australia.

Currently based at Excelsior Studios in Park Royal, London, she is part of the artist-led team behind Park Royal Gallery, showcasing local artists in inclusive exhibitions within re-purposed warehouses.

Brooke’s work draws from collected printed images and her own photographs, starting with tonal underpainting and layering transparent oil glazes. Her practice blends graphic design influences with traditional techniques, reducing human figures to silhouettes and juxtaposing architectural and natural forms with luminous colour to represent the beauty of the physical world.

(Image Credit: Monica Dart Photography)
@monicadartphotography