Bio

Lara Tees explores light, atmosphere, and emotion through the language of landscape. Her work is shaped by a sense of searching — for belonging, for home.

Working from personal reference material and recollection, Lara's paintings are characterised by bold and unexpected colour choices, combined with layers and textures that evoke memory, distance, and connection. Her work reflects a personal dialogue with the landscape, and through her introspection she invites viewers to bring their own memories and experiences to the work.

Born and raised in South Africa, Lara migrated to Australia in 2004. Her family is widely dispersed and this influences her work. She is interested in themes of memory and connection — what it feels like to search for a place to belong, a place to call home.

Lara's paintings have been described as atmospheric, emotional and evocative, and her work has been shown in various exhibitions and galleries across Australia, including solo exhibitions with Conduit Gallery in 2024, and NaNY Gallery in 2025.

Lara is a committee member of Melbourne and Victorian Artists Inc (MAVA).

Photo Credit: Veronika Sanderson

Exhibitions

Lara's art has been featured in various exhibitions and galleries, including the Toowoomba Gallery, the Victorian Artists Society, The Art Room, Quadrant Gallery, and West End Art Space. Her work has also been shortlisted in a number of art prizes.

List of exhibitions

2026

Art Fair - Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
Finalist - Inside This Box Art Prize - The Corner Store Gallery
Finalist - MAVA Art Prize - Artemisia Gallery

2025

Albert Park College Art Show (Select)
Inner West Art Fair (Select)
Solo exhibition - Come away with me - NaNY Gallery
Selected - Quadrant Gallery Art Fair
Finalist - The Toowoomba Gallery - The Next Big Thing
Selected - Aspire Gallery - Roam
Selected - West End Art Space - Homage to Turner
Shortlisted in the Omnia Art Prize
Quadrant Gallery - Feel Good Art Prize
Victorian Artists Society - Summer exhibition

2024

Linden New Art Gallery Postcard Show
The Art Room - Expanded Practice Group Exhibition
Albert Park College Art Show (Select)
Now and Not Yet (NaNY) Gallery Summer Group Show (Select)
Finalist in the West End Art Space Biennale of Colour and Light
Gallery Unbound - 'Unbound' exhibition (Group)
Quadrant Gallery Art Fair (Select)
Solo exhibition - Conduit Gallery @ The Art Room
'Seeing is Believing' at Quadrant Gallery (Group)
Camberwell Art Show (Select)
Victorian Artists Society - Autumn Select exhibition
A-4 Addict Extended Galleries Art Show
Victorian Artists Society - George Hicks Contemporary exhibition
Victorian Artists Society - Summer exhibition
Mornington Art Show (Select)
Sorrento Art Show (Select)

2023

Linden New Art Gallery Postcard Show
Now and Not Yet (NaNY) Gallery Summer Group Show (Select)
Fly Little Bird Gallery - Little Pieces exhibition
Albert Park College Art Show (Select)
The Art Room - Members Exhibition, and Open Studios Exhibition
MiRA gallery - Alliance (Marysville Information & Regional Artspace)
Camberwell Art Show (Select)
Victorian Artists Society - Winter Select exhibition
Victorian Artists Society - 9" X 5" exhibition
Victorian Artists Society - New Members Exhibition
The Art Room - Members Exhibition
Victorian Artists Society - George Hicks Contemporary exhibition
Brunswick Street Gallery, Small Works

2022

fortyfivedownstairs - SMALL!

2019

Victorian Artists Society - Spring Select exhibition
Victorian Artists Society - Winter Select exhibition

Everybody needs a light