Narelle Zeller

Narelle Zeller is an Australian representational artist, best known for her detailed and sensitive depictions of figures and still-life subjects. With her practice dedicated to realism, Narelle works exclusively with oil paint and focuses on portraiture, the human form, and the beauty of the natural world.

At the core of Narelle’s artistic philosophy lies a commitment to capturing the essence of her subjects in a sincere and unfiltered manner. Her multi-layered artistic process is deliberate and unhurried, enabling her to immerse herself fully in every aspect of her subjects. Through her work, she extends an invitation to viewers to share in this intimate contemplation, encouraging them to closely examine every nuance and appreciate the subject as she does with every stroke of her brush.

Narelle achieved her art education by way of completing workshops and mentorship programs with world-renowned artists. She has achieved recognition as both an award-winning artist and a finalist in numerous prestigious national and international competitions, such as the International Arc Salon, Figurativas, ModPortrait, Darling Portrait Prize, International Biennial Portrait Competition, Lester Prize for Portraiture, Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize, and Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award. Her art resides in prominent collections and has been showcased in exhibitions spanning both national and international arenas.

ACHIEVEMENTS 

2024 - Finalist, ModPortrait 2023

2023 - Finalist, RAYMAR Traditional Art Award, 2023 The Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize

2023 - Finalist, Figurativas 2023

2023 - 1st Place Still Life & ARC Purchase Award, 16th International ARC Salon

2022 - Finalist, RAYMAR Traditional Art Award, 2022 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize 

2022 - Finalist, The Darling Portrait Prize

2022 - Finalist, ModPortrait 2021

2021 - Finalist & Highly Commended Award, The Lester Prize for Portraiture

2021 - Preselected for Figurativas 2021

2021 - Finalist & Honourable Mention, International Biennial Portrait Competition (IBPC)

2021 - Finalist, ModPortrait 2020

2021 - 2nd place winner, International Artist Magazine - Art Challenge No.121

2020 - Finalist & Honorable mention in portraiture, 15th International Arc Salon

2020 - Finalist, International Artist Magazine  - Art Challenge No.120

2020 - Semi-Finalist, The Lester Prize for Portraiture

2020 - Finalist, Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award

2020 - Finalist, The Darling Portrait Prize

2019 - Finalist, The Lester Prize for Portraiture

2019 - Finalist, 14th International ARC Salon

2018 - Semi-Finalist, Doug Moran Art Prize

2017 - Peoples Choice Award, Cliftons Art Prize

EXHIBITIONS

2024 - ModPortrait 2023, MEAM Museum, Barcelona, Spain

2024 - Exposición 25 años Artelibre, MEAM Museum, Barcelona, Spain

2024 - Feminism, 33 Contemporary Gallery

2023 - Truth & Beauty, Grainger Gallery, Canberra

2023 - Figurativas 2023, MEAM Museum, Barcelona, Spain

2023 - Five and Under, Arcadia Contemporary, New York2023 - 16th International Arc Salon Exhibition, Sotheby's, New York

2023 - Masterworks, 33 Contemporary Gallery

2023 - Retro, 33 Contemporary Gallery

2022 - Summer Harlequin Show, Grainger Gallery

2022 - Presence and Absence, 33 Contemporary Gallery

2022 - The International Guild of Realism Fall Salon, Online 

2022 - Spring Song, Grainger Gallery, Canberra

2022 - The Darling Portrait Prize, National Portrait Gallery, Canberra

2022 - Modportrait 2021, MEAM Museum, Spain

2022 - 'Interconnected', NERAM, Armidale NSW

2021 - 'Mirror, Mirror', Grainger Gallery, Canberra 

2021 - The Lester Prize for Portraiture, Art Gallery of WA, Perth

2021 - 15th International Arc Salon, MEAM Museum, Spain

2021 – ModPortrait 2020, Finalist exhibition, Touring Bentierra Palace of Zaragoza to MEAM Museum, Barcelona, Spain

2021 – Women Painting Women III, Invitational group exhibition, Burrinja Cultural Centre, Australia

2021 – Facing the Universe: The Cosmos Within, Invitational exhibition at the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art, USA

2020 – Painting the Figure Now III, an exclusive international exhibition curated by F. Scott Hess, David Hummer, and Didi Menendez, Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art, USA

2020 – Abend 30th Miniature Holliday Show, exclusive group exhibition, Abend Gallery, Denver, USA

2020 – On Show, M16 Gallery, Canberra, Australia

2020 – Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award, Finalist exhibition, Bega Valley Regional Gallery, Australia

2020 – Small Works, exclusive online miniature exhibition, Abend Gallery, USA

2020 – The Razor’s Edge, an exclusive international online exhibition curated by Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt of the Bennett Collection of Women Realist Artists, 33 Contemporary Gallery, USA

2020 – Creator & The Muse, an exclusive international online exhibition curated by Didi Menendez & Sergio Gomez, 33 Contemporary Gallery, USA

2020 – Story Tellers, an exclusive international group exhibition curated by Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt, Didi Menendez & Claire Harris, Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne, Australia

2020 – The Darling Portrait Prize, Finalist Exhibition, National Portrait Gallery of Australia

2019 – Provocative Patterns, curated by Lorena Kloosterboer, exclusive international online PoetsArtists exhibition

2019 – The Lester Prize for Portraiture, Finalists Exhibition, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth