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Alicia Cornwell - Artist

The Artist

Alicia Cornwell is a prominent and award-winning figure in contemporary Australian still life, recognized for her "elegant fusion" of botanical forms and vintage design elements. Her position in the field is solidified by major national accolades and a distinctive aesthetic that draws from her 25-year background as an antique/vintage dealer.

Recognition and Awards

Cornwell's leadership in the genre is backed by several high-profile awards: 
  • Winner: Bluethumb Art Prize - Still Life (2021) for her work Turquoise Glass and the Harlequin Blanket.
  • Winner: Art Lovers Australia Art Prize - Still Life (2022).
  • Frequent Finalist: She has been a consistent finalist in prestigious national prizes, including the Omnia Art Prize (2021–2024, 2026), the Doyles Art Award (2025), and the Lethbridge 20,000 (2021, 2023). 

 

Artistic Signature
Based in a mountain studio in Olinda, Victoria, her work is characterized by:
  • Botanical Contrasts: She often explores the "clash" between introduced European flora and stunning Australian natives like Banksias and Waratah.
  • Curated Vintage: Incorporating antique fabrics and objects from her personal collection, creating works that feel both historically rooted and modern.
  • Technique: Known for her use of layered oil glazes, strong structural compositions, and a color palette that ranges from bold, vibrant tones to soft pastels.
Market Presence
Cornwell is highly sought after by collectors and maintains a strong national presence: 
  • Gallery Representation: She is represented by major galleries across Australia, including Martine Gallery in Sydney, Art to Art in Melbourne, and Ferris Wheel Gallery in Bowral.
  • Mainstream Feature: Her artwork was selected by Scott Cam for his house on The Block, highlighting her appeal in high-end interior design. 


Her work can be found at the following galleries:

Art to Art - Melbourne Gallery VIC

Art Lovers Australia - Melbourne Gallery VIC

Ferris Wheel Gallery - Bowral NSW

Martine Gallery - Sydney NSW





Education

Bachelor of Fine Art - Caulfield Institute of Technology (Monash University)

Diploma of Education - Victoria College Burwood Campus

Prizes


Winner
Art Lovers Australia Art Prize - Still Life 2022

Winner
Bluethumb Art Prize - Still Life 2021


SHORTLISTED

2026

        Finalist
        Omnia Art Prize

2025

        Finalist
        The Doyles Art Award 

2024
     
         Finalist
        Omnia Art Prize 


2023
      
       Finalist
       Bluethumb Art Prize 
       Finalist
       Small Works Art Prize - Petite Collection / Ken Done 
       Finalist
       Lethbridge 20000 Small Scale Art Award - Gallery Hang 
       Finalist
       Omnia Art Prize     
       Finalist 
       Inside this Box - The Corner Store Gallery NSW

2022
Finalist
Bluethumb Art Prize 
Finalist
Omnia Art Prize

2021
Finalist
Lethbridge 20,000 Small Scale Art Award - Gallery Hang 
Finalist
Omnia Art Prize
Finalist
Art Lovers Australia Art Prize 
2020
Finalist
Unearthered Art Prize - Art to Art 







Exhibitions

2025

AFFORDABLE ART FAIR - MELBOURNE/ Martine Gallery

AFFORDABLE ART FAIR - SYDNEY / Martine Gallery

Art to Art Gallery - Hawthorn / Group show opening

The Doyles Art Award Group Exhibition

Fifty Squared Art Prize Group Exhibition - Brunswick St Gallery

"Love Story" Group Exhibition - Art Lovers Australia Gallery Collingwood

"A Market Day" Group exhibition - Blue thumb Gallery Richmond

"Made with Love" Group exhibition - Art to Art Gallery 

2024

AFFORDABLE ART FAIR - SYDNEY, Randwick Sydney

It Takes A Village - Mini Solo , UP Gallery Sassafras

"SEED PACKETS" - Solo Exhibition, Petite Collection Australia

Affordable Art Fair - Melbourne, Art Lovers Australia / Royal Exhibition Buildings Carlton


2023

      SOLO SHOW - Weswal Gallery NSW  "Souvenir"
  • Linden Post Card Show 
  • "Smalls" Exhibition Art Lovers Australia
  • Petite Collection Australia "Sweet and Sour"
  • Bluethumb Art Prize Finalist Exhibition 
  • "Inside This Box: a Group Exhibition" The Corner Store Gallery 
  • AFFORDABLE ART FAIR - MELBOURNE Art Lovers Australia
  • Brunswick St Art Gallery SMALL WORKS Art Prize
  • Dandenong Ranges Artists Book Project Group Show
  • Spectrum - Art Lovers Australia Group Show
  • Omnia Art Prize Finalist Gallery Show
  • Lethbridge 20000 Finalist Gallery Show
  • Spring Salon UP Gallery - Group Show
  • Art to Art Gallery - Nest - Group Show
  • Art Lovers Australia - Smalls - Group Show

2022
  • The Block 2022 - Scott Cams house 
  • Affordable Art Fair Melbourne - Art to Art Gallery
  • Offical Gallery Opening - Bluethumb Art Gallery, Richmond, Melbourne
  • "Room with a View" Art Lovers Australia Gallery Collingwood, Melbourne
  • Open Studios - SHIFT, Burrinja Gallery
  • Omnia Art Prize Finalist show, Toorak
  • "Winners Art Prize" Art Lovers Australia Gallery Collingwood, Melbourne
2021

  • Linden Postcard Show - Group Exhibition, Linden New Art - St Kilda Melbourne
  • Lethbridge 20,000 Small Scale Art Award Finalist Exhibition, Lethbridge Gallery
  • Lethbridge 20000 Small Scale Art Award, Lethbridge Gallery
  • Omnia Art Prize, KC SMITH HALL, St Kevin’s College, Toorak
  • Grammar Art Show , Toowoomba
  • WET PAINT, Art to Art Gallery

2020
  • BIG - Big Art for Big Walls, Art to Art Gallery
  • Art Work Under 2K, Art to Art Gallery
  • Unearthed Art Prize, Art to Art Gallery
  • Truth to be Known - MAVA, Incube8r - Prahran Gallery
  • Passage of Time , AGRA - THE AUSTRALIAN GUILD OF REALIST ARTISTS

2019
  • Linden Postcard Show - Group Exhibition, Linden New Art - St Kilda Melbourne
  • "SMALL" - Group exhibition, Fortyfive Downstairs - Flinders Lane Melbourne
  • "The Front Room" - The Arts Lounge Wyreena SOLO exhibition, Wyreena Arts Centre
  • Warranwood Art Show, Oak Hall Gallery