B. 1956

Jude Rae is a distinguished contemporary Australian artist renowned for her contemplative still life paintings and portraits. Her work is characterised by a quiet, reflective approach, often focusing on everyday objects such as gas bottles, plastic crates, and ceramics, presented in formal arrangements. These compositions invite viewers to engage with the formal and material qualities of painting, encouraging a deeper reflection on the simplicity of the mundane.

After completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Sydney, Rae emerged as a prominent figure in the Australian art scene. She held her first solo exhibition at Painters Gallery, Sydney, in 1987, and was a founding member of Ultimo Project Studios. Later, she lived in London and New Zealand, where she became the inaugural Director of South Island Art Projects (now the Physics Room) in Christchurch.

Rae’s career spans over four decades, including over 60 solo exhibitions in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and the USA. Her accolades include receiving the Portia Geach Memorial Awards for Portraiture twice (2005 & 2008), Archibald Prize finalist (2014), and the Bulgari Art Award (2016). Her work is represented in major collections, including the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and Te Papa in Wellington.

Jude Rae’s practice remains a testament to her ability to transform the ordinary into profound, quietly meditative art.