Wendy Sharpe AM was born in Sydney, and currently lives and works between her two studios in Paris and Sydney. Sharpe graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Visual Art, from City Art Institute in Sydney, 1982, and then once again with a Master of Fine Arts from the College of Fine Arts, UNSW, in 1992. Wendy has been exhibiting with King Street since 1995.
Sharpe has been awarded Member [AM] of the Order of Australia [General Division] in the King’s Birthday Honours 2023.
Wendy Sharpe has featured in over seventy exhibitions nationally, with solo exhibitions in Sydney, Paris, Berlin, China and the UK; her work is held in public and private collections throughout Australia and internationally.
Wendy is also one of Australia’s most awarded artists. She has won the Archibald Portrait Prize, the Sir John Sulman Prize, the Marten Bequest Travelling Scholarship, the Mercedes Benz Travelling Scholarship, the Kedumba Drawing Prize, the Portia Geach Memorial Award (twice), the Adelaide Perry Drawing Prize, the Manning Art Prize and the Calleen Art Prize, among many others. She has also been a finalist in the Archibald Prize eight times and in the Sir John Sulman Prize fourteen times (note: more than any other artist). Recently, Sharpe won the Gold Art Prize in Rockhampton.
Sharpe has also been awarded numerous artist residencies both in Australia and internationally, in China, Mexico, Egypt, the Arctic and Antarctica (twice), and at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris (twice).
Additionally, Sharpe’s major commissions include a commission from the City of Sydney to paint an Olympic size mural at Cook and Philip Park Aquatic Centre, Sydney, 1998. In 1999, Sharpe was commissioned by the Australian War Memorial as an Official War Artist for Australia. She was later invited to sit on the council of the Australian War Memorial for nine years.
Sharpe worked on a major portrait project with the Asylum Seeker Centre in Sydney, for which she is now an Ambassador. In 2018 she was awarded a ‘fellowship’ at the National Art School in Sydney, and in 2019 she was made a fellow of the Royal Society of NSW.
Watch the creative process at work as artist Wendy Sharpe completes a monumental wall mural during the installation of her exhibition 'Spellbound'.
Vu iz dos gesele/ Where is the little street? Film by John Fotiadis with the stunning voice of Fay Sussman.
In July 2021, Archibald-winning Australian artist Wendy Sharpe took over the walls of Sydney Jewish Museum’s gallery space, using a large-scale painted mural to tell her family’s stories from their Ukrainian hometown of Kamianets-Podilskyi. Along with comments from Head Curator Roslyn Sugarman, Wendy tells us about the inspiration and artistic process behind her artwork.
Wendy Sharpe takes us through the creation of the mural section of her grandmother, Bessie.
Maria Stoljar takes you to the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW
See Wendy Sharpe ‘at work’ in her studios in Sydney and Paris, and explore the importance of travel and culture to the artist. Produced by Catherine Hunter for the 2019 MAG&M exhibition.
Australian sculptor Paul Selwood, who is commenting on his latest work "Expanded Figure". The sculpture will be Kamstrup's new landmark at the headquarters in Denmark.
'Salient: Contemporary artists at the Western Front' is a group exhibition which is travelling across Australia opening at the New England Regional Art Museum in March 2018. A group of twelve leading Australian artists travelled to Belgium and France to the First World War battlefields of the western front. Historian Brad Manera, who had previously travelled with many of the artists to Gallipoli, and artists Wendy Sharpe, Euan Macleod and Amanda Penrose Hart talked with Maria Stoljar about the exhibition.
Award winning Australian artist, Wendy Sharpe, travels to Antarctica as a guest of the Mawson's Huts Foundation (January 2012).
2025
Between Worlds, Philip Bacon Galleries, Brisbane
House of Ghosts, Norman Lindsay Gallery, National Trust, Blue Mountains, NSW
2024
Spellbound Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney NSW
I am All Those Who Are No More [Mural] Rockhampton Museum of Art, Rockhampton
Games of Chance Aarwun Gallery, Canberra ACT
2023
Wheel of Fortune King Street Gallery on William, NSW
2022-23
A Dance to the Music of Time Lake Macquarie Museum of Art and Culture, NSW
2022
Her Shoes Fundraising Exhibition for Lou’s Place Women’s Refuge, Juniper Hall, Sydney, NSW
2021
Paintings about Magic and Time Passing Linton & Kay Gallery Perth, WA
Where is the little Street ? Sydney Jewish Museum, NSW
Pandora’s Box Nicholas Thompson, Melbourne, VIC
2020 – 2021
Ghosts Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW
2020
MAGIC King Street Gallery on William, Sydney
Celebrating Women: Hamlin Fistula Foundation Macquarie Space Gallery, Sydney, NSW
2019
The Most Northly Exhibition Artic Unveiled, Svalbard, Norway
Paris Linton and Kay Galleries, Subiaco, Perth, WA
Paris Stories Philip Bacon Galleries, Brisbane, VIC
Western Front WWI Philip Bacon Galleries, Brisbane, VIC
2018
Paris Windows King Street Gallery on William, Darlinghurst, Sydney
Secrets Maitland Regional Gallery, NSW
Wanderlust Aarwun Gallery Canberra, ACT
2017- 2018
Wendy Sharpe Clayton Utz, Bligh Street, Sydney, NSW
2017
Wanderlust Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, VIC
Burlesque and Circus Linton and Kay, Perth, WA
Burlesque and Circus Aarwun Gallery Canberra, ACT
House of Dreams and The Book of Constant Stars Juniper Hall, Sydney, NSW
2016
Wendy Sharpe Linyi Contemporary Art Centre China
Cultural Exchange of Australia and China Qinghua Centre, Linyi China
6th Shandong Cultural Industries Fair Jinan, China
China Stories Shanghai Cultural Centre and Art Gallery Shanghai China
CIRCUS King Street Gallery on William, Darlinghurst, Sydney
Butt Naked Salon with the Australian Art Quartet. Yellow House, Sydney, NSW
Theatre of Dreams Drawing Projects UK, Trowbridge, UK
Wanderlust Tweed Regional Gallery, Murwillumbah QLD
Beautiful Monsters Philip Bacon Galleries, Brisbane, QLD
Prints Fire Station Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
2015
Theatre of Dreams Michael Reid Gallery, Berlin, Germany
Seeking Humanity – Portraits of Asylum Seekers The Muse, Ultimo TAFE, Sydney/ Belconnen Art Centre, Canberra/ Penrith Regional Gallery, Sydney, Mary McKillop Place Museum North Sydney, NSW
Painting for Antarctica (with Bernard Ollis), The Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney, NSW
2014
Le Regard de Deux Australiens Espace Beaujon, 75008 Paris, France
Night King Street Gallery on William, Darlinghurst, Sydney
Conversations with Matisse Philip Bacon Galleries, Brisbane, QLD
2013
Wendy Sharpe’s Antarctica Long Gallery, Salamanca Art Centre, Hobart, TAS
Burlesque and Backstage Buratti Fine Art, North Fremantle, WA
Truth or Dare Muk Muk Fine Art, Darwin, NT
Make Believe Ecosse Gallery, Exeter, Southern Highlands, NSW
2012
Burlesque King Street Gallery on William, Darlinghurst, Sydney
Wendy Sharpe’s Antarctica Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour Sydney, NSW
Artist & Model Buratti Fine Art, North Fremantle, WA
Walking Dream Ecosse Gallery, Exeter, NSW
2011
Artist and Model MARS Gallery, Port Melbourne, VIC
Wendy Sharpe: The Imagined Life (major survey retrospective), S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Travel Philip Bacon Galleries, Sydney, NSW
2010
Venice King Street Gallery on William, Sydney
2008
Travel MARS Gallery, Port Melbourne, VIC
Intimacy and Solitude Adele Boag Gallery, Adelaide, SA
Paris King St Gallery on William, Sydney
2007
Stories from the Studio Philip Bacon Galleries, Brisbane, QLD
2006
Couples MARS Gallery, Port Melbourne, VIC
The Opera Series Paintings and Drawings King Street Gallery on Burton, Sydney, NSW
Million Dollar Mermaid Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney, NSW
2005
Artist & City & Spanish Series Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT
2004
Paintings King Street Gallery on Burton, Sydney, NSW
Travel Paintings Phillip Bacon Gallery, Brisbane, QLD
2003
Recent Paintings Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT
Paintings Phillip Bacon Gallery, Brisbane, QLD
2002
Wendy Sharpe: a selection of works 1999-2002 King Street Gallery on Burton at Span Galleries, Melbourne, VIC
New Paintings King Street Gallery on Burton, Sydney, NSW
2000
New Beginnings-East Timor Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT
East Timor King Street Gallery on Burton, Sydney
1999
Drawings, Paintings and Mixed Media Works for The Annette Kellermann Mural (at Cook & Phillip Aquatic Centre, Sydney), King Street Gallery on Burton, Sydney, NSW
1997
Night Paintings King Street Gallery on Burton, Sydney
1996
New Work King Street Gallery on Burton, Sydney
1995
New Work King Street Gallery on Burton, Sydney
1993
Recent Paintings Michael Nagy Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1991
Ghosts Pod Theatre, Sydney, NSW
1990
Magic Paintings DC Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1989
Recent Paintings DC Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1987
Selected Work Nidus Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1986
Fire Inside First Impressions Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1987
Lingering Images Visual Arts Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1985
Sex and Death Nicholson Street Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1980
Winner, International Women’s Decade Poster, NSW
2025
Ravenswood Art Prize, Gordon, Sydney
Salon des Refusés, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney
Telling Stories: Heroine Mythology Recast – 50 Drawings by Wendy Sharpe & Anita Taylor, Drawing Projects UK (Bridge House, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England).
2024
Salon des Refusés, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney;The David Roche Foudation, Adelaide, S.A.; White Cottage Gallery, Retford Park, Bowral, NSW
2023
The Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney
Stills, Coffs Harbour Regional Art Gallery, Coffs Harbour
Naked and Nude, Manning Regional Art Gallery, Taree
2022
Sulman Prize – Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney, NSW
Grace Cossington Smith Art Award, Abbotsleigh, NSW
The Gold Art Award Invitational Exhibition, Rockhampton Museum of Art, QLD
Treasures from the Vault, Manly Art Gallery, NSW
2021
Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize, Art Gallery of NSW, Geelong Gallery, Cairns Art Gallery, Art Gallery of SA, Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Launceston, Bathurst Regional Gallery, Museum and Art Gallery of NT, Home of the Arts, Gold Coast, National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, 6 November 2021 – 28 January 2024
9 x 5, Hill End Arts Council, Hill End, NSW
Sydney Harbour: Treasures From the Vault, Manly Art Gallery and Museum, Sydney, NSW
Portia Geach, S.H Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Salon des Refusés David Roche Foundation, Adelaide, SA
Kennedy Art Prize, Adelaide, SA
DARK, Wendy Sharpe & Steven Cavanagh, Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, NSW
The Figure, Philip Bacon Galleries, Brisbane, QLD
Muswellbrook Art Prize 2021, NSW
2020
National Works on Paper, Mornington Peninsula Gallery, Victoria
Burlesque Museum, Kensington Street Studios, Chippendale, Sydney, NSW, 19 November
PANDEMIC!, The State Library of NSW, Sydney, 5 September – 24 January 2021
The Archibald Prize, Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney
Mosman Art Prize, Mosman, Sydney, NSW
Portia Geach, S.H Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Self Portrait, Manly Art Gallery and Museum, Sydney, NSW
Kilgour Art Prize, Newcastle Art Gallery, NSW
Tradition and Transformation II: Taiwan-Australian International Watercolour Exhibition. Dadun Cultural Centre, Taichung City, Taiwan, 30 May – 17 June
Eye to Eye, National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, ACT
2019
The Darling Portrait Prize, National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, ACT
Doug Moran Art Prize, Sydney, NSW
Ravenswood Art Prize, Sydney, NSW
Salon des Refusés, S. H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Artist Book Award, Manly Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Meroogal Women’s Art Prize, NSW
Calleen Art Award, NSW
Dobell Drawing Prize, Sydney, NSW
Muswellbrook Art Prize, NSW
Australia Day Artist, Sydney Morning Herald
2018
Ravenswood Art Prize, Centenary Centre Gordon, Sydney, NSW
‘Inside/Outside’ King Street Gallery on William, Sydney, NSW
‘Destination Sydney’, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘100 years on’ King Street Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘Salient : Contemporary artists at the Western Front’ Travelling Exhibition 2018– 2020, New England Regional Art Museum, NSW: 24 March – 3 June 2018, Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, NSW: 10 August – 7 October 2018, Anzac War Memorial, Sydney, NSW: 21 October 2018– 17 February 2019, Bank Art Museum. Moree, NSW: 5 March – 29 April 2019, Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre, NSW: 11 May – 30 June 2019, Tweed Regional Gallery, NSW: 21 November – 16 February 2020
New Galleries, State Library of NSW
‘Elsewhere – Travels through Morocco, Egypt, Syria Iran and Central Asia’, exhibition with Bernard Ollis, HR Gallop Gallery, CSU Wagga Wagga, NSW – 13 August to 7 September 2018, Griffith Regional Art Gallery, NSW – 29 September to 4 November 2018, Western Plains Cultural Centre, Dubbo, NSW: May – June 2019, The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie, NSW: 20 July – 29 September 2019, Tamworth Regional Art Gallery, NSW: 8 February – 22 March 2020
Finalist, Grace Cossington Smith Art Prize, Abbotsleigh, NSW
Finalist, Portia Geach Award, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, Fishers Ghost Award, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, Meroogal Women’s Art Prize, Nowra, NSW
Finalist, Ravenswood Art Prize, Centenary Centre Gordon, Sydney, NSW
‘The Art of Friendship’, Gallery Lane Cove, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘Sulman Prize’, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
‘Salon des Refuses’, S. H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘Interiors’, Orange Regional Gallery, Orange, NSW
‘Salient – Contemporary Artists at the Western Front ‘, New England Regional Gallery, NSW 23 March-3 June 2018, Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, NSW 10 August-7 October, The Anzac Memorial Sydney, NSW October 2018 – 17 February 2019, Bank Art Museum Moree 5 March- 29 April 2019, Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre 11 May- 30 June 2019, Tweed Regional Gallery 21 November- 16 February 2020.
Australian Women Artists’, Philip Bacon Galleries Brisbane QLD
‘Art from Our Souls’. New Chinese Australian Art Society, St Magdalen’s Chapel, Guest Artist, Wolli Creek, Sydney, NSW
2017
‘Cabaret’, Guest Artist, Glen Street Theatre, Belrose, Sydney, NSW
Salon des Refusés, S. H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘Wendy Sharpe and Bernard Ollis – Etchings’, The Fire Station Gallery Melbourne VIC
Finalist, ‘Portia Geach Memorial Award’, S.H Ervin Gallery, Observatory Hill, The Rocks, Sydney, NSW
‘From the Collection: Wendy Sharpe and Bernard Ollis: Life and Travels’ Blue Mountains City Gallery, NSW
2016
‘Battle for Berrima Show’, Berrima Artspace, E2, Berrima, NSW
‘Prints from the Griffith Studio’, Wood Works Gallery, Bungendore, NSW
’Salon des Refusés’, S. H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘Sulman Prize’, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
‘The Collection’, The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, Katoomba, NSW
Drawing Exhibition, Untitled Factory, Rue Gabrielle 18eme. Paris, France
‘Self Portrait Exhibition’ Yellow House, Potts Point Sydney, NSW
‘WAR – A Playground Perspective’, Newington Armory Gallery, NSW
‘Collection: La Femina’, Grafton Regional Gallery, NSW
2015
Gold Coast City Art Prize, Gold Coast City Art Gallery, QLD
Finalist, Doug Moran Portrait Prize, Juniper Hall, Paddington, NSW
‘Escape to Antarctica, Shackleton’, Sydney Maritime Museum, NSW
‘The Art of Shakespeare’ with Bell Shakespeare, Sydney Opera House, Sofitel Melbourne, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT
‘Salon des Refusés’, S. H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW and Mornington Peninsula Art Gallery, Mornington, VIC
‘Mug Shot- Still Life Exhibition’, Ecosse Gallery, Exeter, NSW
‘Newtown Romantics’, Penny Contemporary Gallery, Hobart, Tasmania
‘Australian Masterworks’, Handmark, Hobart, Tasmania
‘Labourers, Luminaries & Lieutenants’, Muse Gallery, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW
‘Painting for Antarctica: Wendy Sharpe and Bernard Ollis Follow Shackleton’, Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, Sydney, NSW
‘Shackleton: Escape from Antarctica’, Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, Sydney, NSW
‘The Australians’, 12Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand
Finalist, ‘Muswellbrook Art Prize’, Muswellbrook Gallery, NSW
‘Private Lives – Artist as Collector’, S.H Ervin Gallery, Observatory Hill, The Rocks, Sydney, NSW
2014
Finalist, ‘Portia Geach Memorial Award’, S.H Ervin Gallery, Observatory Hill, The Rocks, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘The Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award (JADA)’, Grafton Regional Gallery, NSW. Travelling to: Redcliffe City Regional Gallery, QLD, Broken Hill Regional Gallery, NSW and Tamworth Regional Gallery, NSW
Finalist, ‘Grace Cossington Smith art award’, Grace Cossington Smith Gallery, Wahroonga, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, Alice Prize
‘Forty Years’, Philip Bacon Galleries, Brisbane, QLD
Australian Watercolour Institute Exhibition, Gosford Regional Gallery, NSW
2013
‘Figurative Show’, Buratti Fine Art, Perth, WA
‘Auto Portrait’, Ecosse Gallery, NSW
Finalist, ‘Mosman Art Prize’, NSW
Winner ‘Manning Art Prize’, Taree, NSW
Finalist, ‘Doug Moran National Portrait Prize’, NSW
2012
Finalist ‘Dobell Prize for Drawing’, Art Gallery of New South Wales, NSW
Finalist ‘National Works on Paper Award’, Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, VIC
‘Virtual Reality – Interpreting the Landscape’, King Street Gallery at Newcastle University Gallery NSW
Finalist ‘Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award’, Grafton Regional Art Gallery, NSW. Travelling to: Redcliffe City Art Gallery, QLD, University of the Sunshine Coast, QLD, New England Regional Art Museum, NSW, Hervey Bay Regional Gallery, QLD, Griffith Regional Gallery, NSW, Tamworth Regional Gallery, NSW, Bundaberg Regional Gallery, QLD Caboolture Regional Art Gallery, QLD, Gympie Regional Gallery, OLD
‘In Two Art’, Artists Couples Exhibition: Maitland Regional Gallery, NSW, S.H. Ervin Gallery Sydney, NSW, Orange Regional Gallery, NSW, Goulburn Regional Gallery, NSW, Swan Hill Regional Gallery, NSW Wollongong City Gallery, NSW, Grafton Regional Gallery, NSW, Dalby Regional Gallery, QLD
‘The Animal’, King Street Gallery on William, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW
Finalist ‘Mosman Art Prize’, Mosman Regional Gallery Mosman, Sydney, NSW
‘The Archibald Portrait Prize’, Art Gallery of New South Wales and Travelling Exhibition: TarraWarra Museum of Art, VIC, Newcastle Art Gallery, NSW, Cowra Regional Art Gallery, NSW, Western Plains Cultural Centre, Dubbo, NSW, Grafton Regional Gallery, NSW, Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, NSW, New England Regional Gallery, NSW
2011
Finalist, ‘The Dobell Prize for Drawing 2011’, Finalist Exhibition, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney
‘Prints from the Griffith Studio’, Hazelhurst Regional Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘Zoo Residency Exhibition’, Newcastle Regional Art Gallery, NSW
‘Arkaba Station’, King Street Gallery on William, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘Adelaide Perry Drawing Prize’, Finalist Exhibition, The Croydon PLC, Sydney, NSW
2010
‘Slow Burn – A century of Australian woman artists from a private collection’, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘Tales from the City’, Wendy Sharpe & Bernard Ollis, Orange Regional Art Gallery, NSW
2009
‘The Grand Tour’, Two person show with Bernard Ollis, United Galleries, Perth, WA
‘In the Wings’ Touring exhibition from The Arts Centre Melbourne, VIC
‘Collections’ Hawkesbury Regional Gallery Windsor NSW
‘Salon des Refusés’ S. H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘The Doug Moran Portrait Prize’, Finalist Exhibition, State Library of NSW, Sydney and travelling
Finalist, ‘The Sulman Prize’, Finalist Exhibition, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘Adelaide Perry Drawing Prize’, Finalist Exhibition, Adelaide Perry Gallery, Croydon, Sydney, NSW
2008
Finalist, ‘Jada Drawing Prize’, Finalist Exhibition, Grafton Regional Art Gallery and Travelling
‘Urban Myth’, Two Person show with Bernard Ollis, United Galleries, Perth, WA
‘Drawn Encounters’, Wimbledon College of Art, London, UK
‘Sordid Tales’, NG Art Chippendale, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘Jada Drawing Prize’, Grafton Regional Gallery, NSW and Travelling
2007
‘Cuisine and Country’, curated by Gavin Wilson travelling Australian regional galleries
Finalist, ‘The Dobell Prize for Drawing’ Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
‘9 x 5 Show’, The Savage Club, Melbourne, VIC
‘Dusk til Dawn’, Delmar Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘Squared’, Greenhill Galleries, Perth, WA
‘Group Therapy’, Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT
2006
Finalist, ‘Grafton Drawing Prize’, Grafton Regional Gallery, NSW
‘Redlands Art Prize’, Mosman Regional Gallery, NSW
Finalist, ‘Kilgour Painting Prize Finalist Exhibition’, Newcastle Region Gallery, NSW
Finalist, ‘The Dobell Drawing Prize’, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
‘Defiance Drawing Show’, Defiance Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘Mining the Archive’ Hillend Art Gallery, Curated by Gavin Wilson, NSW
‘The Art of the Operatic’ The Arts Centre Melbourne, VIC
‘Salon des Refusés’, ’, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘The Delmar Codex’, curated by Nick Vickers Delmar gallery Sydney, NSW
‘Exhibition of Drawing Prize Finalists’, Adelaide Perry Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘The Sulman Prize’, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
‘The Big Picture’, curated by Nick Vickers, Delmar Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘Australian Art’, Hongik University Gallery, Seoul, South Korea
2005
‘Fireworks’, tracing the incendiary in Australian Art, curated by Gavin Wilson travelling exhibition
‘Witness to War’, Mornington Regional Art Gallery, VIC & Travelling Exhibition
‘The Defiance Drawing Show’, Defiance Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘The Salon Des Refuses’, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘Gold Coast City Art Prize’, QLD
‘Walking the Line’, National Art School, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘The Dobell Prize for Drawing’, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
2004
Finalist, ‘The Wynne Prize’, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘The Sulman Prize’, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘The Dobell Prize for Drawing’, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
‘Drawcard’, National Art School, Sydney, NSW
‘2004 The Year in Art’, National Trust, S.H. Irvin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘Mosman Art Prize’, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘Spectrum 2004’, FONAS, Parliament House, Sydney, NSW
‘Westpac Art Prize’, Sydney, NSW
‘Reg Richardson Collection Exhibition’, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW
2003
‘Salon des Refusés’ S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘The Dobell Prize for Drawing’, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
Winner, ‘The Portia Geach Memorial Portrait Prize’, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘Art Gallery of New South Wales – 50th Anniversary Exhibition and Auction’ Sydney, NSW
Winner, ‘Allen Gamble Memorial Art Prize’ (in conjunction with Mosman Art Prize), Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘Ned Kelly-Framed’, National Trust of Australia, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
2002
Finalist, ‘The Dobell Prize for Drawing’, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
‘Exhibition’, King Street Gallery at Span Galleries, Melbourne, VIC
‘Kedumba Drawing Prize’, Kedumba Gallery, Wentworth Falls, NSW
Finalist, ‘Portia Geach Memorial Portrait Prize’, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘Erotica’, Metro5, Melbourne, VIC
Salon des Refusés, S.H. Ervin Gallery, NSW
2001
‘Federation’, curated by John McDonald National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, ACT
‘A Studio in Paris – Australian Artists at the Cite’, curated by Jane Watters, S.H. Ervin Gallery Sydney, NSW
‘Works on Paper’, two person show with Nora Heysen, Von Bertouch Gallery, Newcastle, NSW
‘Studio Tradition’, curated by Therese Kenyon, Manly Art Gallery and Museum, Sydney, NSW
‘Bat, Ball and Brush, A Summer of Cricket and Art at the Sydney Cricket Ground’, Sydney, NSW
‘Art on Steel’, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney; Wollongong City Gallery, NSW
‘Exhibition’, Museum of Tropical Queensland, & Travelling Exhibition
2000
Finalist, ‘The Sulman Prize’, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
‘Last Show of the Year’, King Street Gallery on Burton, Sydney, NSW
‘The Greatest Show on Earth’, Cutcliffe Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘Ceramics and Works on Paper’, collaborative with Janna Ferris, Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT
‘Melbourne Contemporary Art Fair’, King Street Galleries, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne, VIC
Finalist, ‘The Dobell Prize for Drawing’, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
1999
Finalist, ‘The Sulman Prize’, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘The Dobell Prize for Drawing’, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
‘Last Show of the Year’, King Street Gallery on Burton, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘The Portia Geach Memorial Portrait Prize’, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1998
‘Last Show of the Year’, King Street Gallery on Burton, Sydney, NSW
1997
‘Gallery Artists’, King Street Gallery on Burton, Sydney, NSW
1996
Winner, ‘The Archibald Portrait Prize’, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘The Sulman Prize’, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘The Dobell Prize for Drawing’, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
‘Gallery Artists’, King Street Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1995
‘The (Last) Christmas Show’, Women’s Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
‘The Archibald Portrait Prize’, Art Gallery of New South Wales and Travelling Exhibition: Moree Regional Art Gallery, NSW Dubbo Regional Art Gallery, NSW Wagga Wagga Regional Art Gallery, NSW
Winner, ‘The Portia Geach Memorial Portrait Prize’ S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘The Sulman Prize’, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘The Dobell Prize for Drawing’, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
Winner, ‘Kedumba Drawing Prize’, Kedumba Gallery, Wentworth Falls, NSW
1994
Finalist, ‘The Archibald Portrait Prize’, Art Gallery of New South Wales and Travelling Exhibition: Goulburn Regional Art Gallery, Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery, Tamworth Regional Art Gallery, NSW
‘Erotic/Exotic’, two person show with Tim Schultz, Barry Stern Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘Exhibition’, King Street Gallery on Burton, Sydney, NSW
1993
Finalist, ‘Portia Geach Memorial Portrait Prize’, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1992
‘Critic’s Choice’, Macquarie Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘The Portia Geach Memorial Portrait Prize’, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘Salon des Refuses’, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1991
‘Erotic/Exotic’, Inner Circle Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Finalist, ‘The Portia Geach Memorial Portrait Prize’ S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘A Figurative Focus’, Tamworth Regional Art Gallery, NSW
‘The Intimate Experience (Australian Women’s Images of Women)’, Ivan Dougherty Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1990
‘International Women’s Exhibition’, Women’s Gallery
1989
‘Modern Muses: Classical Mythology in Australian Art (1940 – 1989)’, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1988
‘Elysian Muses Return’, EMR Gallery, Sydney, NSW
‘Fresh Art’, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1986
Winner, The Sulman Prize – Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
1985
Finalist, The Sulman Prize – Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
Adelaide Perry Collection, Croydon, NSW
ANZAC Memorial, Sydney, NSW
ArtBank
Art Gallery of Ballarat, VIC
Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
Arts Centre, VIC
Arthur Anderson & Co.
Australian Embassy, Paris, France
Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT
Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, NSW
BHP Billiton Australia
Blue Mountains City Art Gallery, NSW
City of Belmont, Perth, WA
City of Sydney Council, NSW
City of Hamilton Art Gallery
City of Yarra Contemporary Art Collection, Vic
The Dobell Foundation Maitland Regional Art Gallery
Dovery Manor Museum, UK
Grafton Regional Gallery, NSW
Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, NSW
The Holmes a Court Collection
Kedumba Drawing Collection
Lake Macquarie Museum of Art and Culture, NSW
The Leeuwin Estate
Maitland Regional Gallery, NSW
Macquarie University
Manly Regional Gallery, NSW
Manning Regional Gallery, VIC
Melbourne Water
Mosman Art Gallery, NSW
National Art School, Sydney, NSW
National Maritime Museum, Sydney, NSW
National Portrait Gallery, ACT
Nillumbik Shire Art Collection
Northern Beaches Library, Manly, Sydney, NSW
Orange Regional Gallery, NSW
Qantas, Australia
Rockhampton Museum of Art, QLD
State Library of NSW
State Library of Queensland
Sydney Jewish Museum, NSW
Tweed River Art Gallery, NSW
University of Queensland
University of Sydney, NSW
Warringah Council, NSW
Waverley Council, NSW
Yarrila Arts and Museum, Coffs Harbour, NSW
The powerful portraits that didn’t make the Archibald Prize cut by Linda Morris
The Brisbane Times online
6 May 2025
Former Moama resident’s Archibald dream comes true by Jaci Hicken
Shepparton News, Online
7 May 2025
Landmark report shows men still dominate Australian arts
Sydney Morning Herald, The Age
April 30, 2024
'Why artist Wendy Sharpe is happy to leave things up to chance' by Elisabeth Fortescue
Sydney Morning Herald
28th July 2023
'Portraits of horror and human kindness: Why Australia still sends artists to war' by Helen Pitt
Sydney Morning Herald
25th April 2023
Nationally acclaimed artist to visit RMOA by Khrysti Balanay
CQ Today Online Publication
9 March 2022
The big heart and busy life of art great Wendy Sharpe by Sarah Maguire
Inner West Review
14 September 2021
The heartbreaking exhibition that no one will see by Nick Galvin
The Sydney Morning Herald
7 August 2021
Timeout Sydney
3 August 2021
Exhibition Review: Wendy Sharpe: Ghosts, Mosman Art Gallery by Anna Westbrook
Arts Hub Online
19 January 2021
Archibald wash-up: why portraits of the 'great' are relics of the past by John MacDonald
The Sydney Morning Herald
2 October 2020
Portraits of the artists in isolation by Nick Galvin, Kerrie O'Brien and Chloe Wolifson
The Sydney Morning Herald
29 May 2020
New art prize for painting extraordinary faces by Linda Morris
The Sydney Morning Herald
29 January 2020
Wendy Sharpe's rare, intimate landscapes celebrate Australia by Steve Meacham
The Sydney Morning Herald
25 January 2019
The Western Front 100 years on: Contemporary artists take stock by Brad Manera
Financial Review
23 March 2018
Destination Sydney reimagined: Artists celebrate harbour city in a cliche-free zone by Nick Galvin
The Sydney Morning Herald
2018
From Hogarth to Westconnex: Wendy Sharpe tackles contemporary Sydney by Garry Maddox
The Sydney Morning Herald
11 July 2017
The Daily Telegraph
September 2017
Salon des Refusés 2017 by John McDonald
Spectrum, The Sydney Morning Herald / johnmcdonald.com
August 2017
Wendy Sharpe brings some rage to Unashamedly Original by Angus McPherson
Limelight Magazine
19 July 2017
Artist Wendy Sharpe still tumbles for the magic of the Big Top circus by Elizabeth Fortescue
The Daily Telegraph
15 September 2016
Nude painting that offended politicians now a Sulman finalist by Elie Choueifaty
The Sydney Morning Herald
8 July 2016
See it, like it, take it home (but, please, bring it back) by Bronwyn Watson
The Piano has been drinking not me - MRAG Gallery publication
2016
Wendy Sharpe's powerful portraits of humanity by Stephanie Wood
The Sydney Morning Herald
23 January 2015
Wendy Sharpe's powerful portraits of humanity by Stephanie Wood
The Sydney Morning Herald
23 January 2015
Our critic's guide to the week: Wendy Sharpe - John McDonald
Spectrum, The Sydney Morning Herald
September 2014
Portraiture that looks like a snap to paint in Archibald Prize by Christopher Allen
The Australian
15 March 2013
Her white period: Sharpe paints in aid of Mawson's hut by Adam Fulton
The Sydney Morning Herald, Arts
February 2012
Award winning artist Wendy Sharpe joins conservation project
Mawson's Hut Foundation - Conserving Australia's Antarctic heritage
11 May 2012
Wendy Sharpe paintings in great demand
Mawson's Hut Foundation - Conserving Australia's Antarctic heritage
6 September 2012
Artists get their heads around animal instincts
The Sydney Morning Herald, Weekend Edition
February 2011
The Sydney Morning Herald
Australia Day, 2010
Photographer paints portraits of the artists by Lauren Martin
The Sydney Morning Herald
4 December 2004
Rampant colour and chaos float in a teacup over sea of restraint by Sharon Verghis
The Sydney Morning Herald
26 September 2003
Wendy Sharpe and Janna Ferris interviewed by Lucy Butenshaw
Pottery in Australia Magazine pg. 23-5
2003
