Wendy Kelly creates two-dimensional, non-objective artworks, including paintings, works on paper, and unique state books.
Born in Melbourne, Wendy (née Malcolm) spent her primary and secondary school years in the bayside suburbs of Sandringham and Mentone. Her interest in visual art began during childhood and stood out as unique within her family. After leaving school at the end of Year Eleven—due to her father’s retirement—she worked in a bank for three years before marrying.
In 1972, Wendy returned to study part-time to complete Year Twelve. She graduated in 1974 and went on to enrol in a Diploma of Art and Design (Fine Art) at Caulfield Institute of Technology. There, she studied under artists such as Craig Gough, Christopher Pyett, and Gareth Sansom. She completed her diploma in 1978.
Wendy’s first solo exhibition took place in 1981 at the Hawthorn City Gallery. The show featured figurative paintings and works on paper, focusing on interiors and objects, with a particular interest in the effect of light on colour. Throughout the 1980s, she continued to exhibit solo, including at Pinacotheca and La Trobe University’s Chisholm College Gallery in 1985. She also participated in numerous group exhibitions during this time.
In 1987, Wendy travelled to the United States and Europe to view artworks she had previously only seen in books. The trip was especially focused on early Modernist works, which had long inspired her.
In 2010, she completed a PhD at Monash University’s Faculty of Art & Design. Today, Wendy Kelly is a prolific artist with a distinctive visual language and a respected national and international reputation. Her work is held in major collections, including the State Library of Victoria, National Gallery of Victoria, Art Bank, Monash University Library Artists Book Collection (Caulfield Campus), La Trobe University, and the University of Southern Queensland, as well as in private collections worldwide.
Wendy is available for commissions—contact us to discuss creating a bespoke artwork.
