Celeste Chandler’s artwork is concerned with the experience of embodiment and empathy; the intersection between the internal and external worlds that meet in the visceral sensations of the body – and, specifically, how this can be expressed in representational painting.

The autobiographical body, intimacy, touch and the instability of identity are themes central to her work.                                                                

In this forum Celeste will discuss her practice and recent projects.  In particular she will address the sensuality and latent sexuality that underpins her images.

Born in Hobart Tasmania (1977), Celeste Chandler attended the University of Tasmania (UTAS), graduating with a Bachelor in Fine Art (Painting, 1998). She attained first class honors (2000-UTAS) and a Masters in Fine Art (2003-UTAS) and is currently near the completion of a PhD at the Victorian College of Arts (VCA). From 1997, Chandler has held nine solo exhibitions culminating in The Embarrassment of Sincerity: The Changing State of Contemporary Figurative Painting, showing at the Margaret Lawrence Gallery, Melbourne (2014). Her works are held in the collections of the Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane (GOMA), the University of Queensland, the Redcliffe City Gallery and the Maroondah Art Gallery Victoria, as well as in many private collections including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart. Chandler’s work has been shown in numerous group shows including, Open Studios, McCulloch Studio, Cité International des Art Paris (1999). She was awarded the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Scholarship, Quebec, Canada (2004) and worked as artist in residence, teaching and painting at the School of Art, Australian National University Canberra (2004). Celeste received the People’s Choice, Metro 5 Award, Melbourne (2007). Whilst major portrait commissions include Dr Maureen Aitken, principal for The Women’s College, University of Queensland (2009).