You may know Dee Smart from the popular Australian television series Water Rats or Home and Away or from her feature film roles but you can now add the Archibald prize to that list.
She has been shortlisted in the famous portrait prize two years in a row, this year with a striking painting of choreographer and dancer Meryl Tankard.

She took up drawing and painting over 15 years ago and honed her craft while still acting. It  was inspiring to hear her talk openly about the catalyst for taking that direction – in the middle of a struggle with post-natal depression.

She has had three shows including most recently an exhibition of beautiful mixed media works of the underwater world of Gary the crab which she’s planning to make into a children’s book 'Blue bottle bubbles'. She's also delving into abstraction and her work will be included in at least two shows later this year.

We talk about her journey to becoming a painter and her inspirational attitude towards her future as an artist - a wonderful mix of curiosity and determination.

She’s one of the most dynamic, down to earth and funny women you’ll ever meet and we had a lot of fun recording this interview.

To hear the interview press play under the feature photo above.

A short video of Smart in her studio on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel can be seen here.
Current and upcoming events

Archibald Prize, Art Gallery of NSW, until 9 September 2018, then touring Australia.
November group event to be curated by Carley McLaren, details TBA
Christmas group show, St Cloche Gallery, Paddington, date TBA

Show notes

Dee Smart
Dee Smart on Instagram
Archibald Prize
Meryl Tankard
Pina Bausch
Hayes Gordon
Walcha Gallery
Ballet Wings
Ballet Wings on Instagram
St Cloche Gallery
Andrew Marsh
Dee Smart talks with Maria Stoljar in her studio on the talking with Painters YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4oaKBm9weQ&t=6s