Karri McPherson
Born in Hong Kong, SAR
Lives & works in Darwin, Australia
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For nearly a decade, Karri McPherson's work has revolved around an intricate and evolving exploration of geometry. Through hard-edged forms and vibrant layers of colour, the compositions delve into the interplay between order and chaos, a dynamic that feels deeply embedded in the fabric of existence. The process is intuitive yet deliberate, and while the exploration of topics like quantum physics and fundamental truths is relatively recent, these ideas resonate profoundly with the body of work created over the years.
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Geometry serves as a language of structure and connection. It reveals patterns that underpin the natural world, from the microscopic to the cosmic. In Karri's art, shapes are not merely arranged but explored in their relationships - how they overlap, converge, and create spaces of both harmony and tension. This interplay mirrors the quantum realm, where particles exist in states of possibility and interconnectedness governs reality at its most fundamental level.
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Colour plays an equally vital role in the work. It functions not only as an aesthetic choice but also as a means of conveying energy, emotion, and interaction. The shifting and intersecting hues evoke light refracting through a prism or energy rippling through space. These layers of colour and form invite viewers to look deeper, finding their own connections and meanings within the compositions.
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Ultimately, Karri's art embodies a search for truth - a truth that feels elusive yet fundamental. While this journey began subconsciously, it has grown into a conscious pursuit of understanding the balance between the tangible and the intangible, the known and the unknown. The work seeks to reflect this journey and encourage contemplation on the hidden structures that shape reality, offering a glimpse into the beauty and complexity of the universe.
CV
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Education
2015 - 2020
Bachelor of Creative Arts (HONS)
First Class Honours
The University of Southern Queensland
Awards
2020
Winner of the Brenda Clouten Travelling Scholarship, Maitland Regional Art Gallery, NSW.
2018
Acquired Artist, Biennial Emerging Artist Award, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, QLD.
2017
Emerging Artist Award, GraduArt, Foyer Gallery, Toowoomba QLD.
Solo Exhibitions
2024 Back and Forth, Port Adelaide Visitor Information Centre, SA.
2022 Form/Function, Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery, NSW.
2022 More Than Meets the Eye, Tuggeranong Arts Centre, ACT.
2018 A Matter of Form, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, Toowoomba, QLD.
2017 In Any Way, Shape or Form, Red Door Gallery, Toowoomba, QLD.
Residencies, Grants and Scholarships
2023 Resident Artist, Australian National Veterans Arts Museum, Melbourne, Victoria.
2022 Resident Artist, Gullkistan Centre for Creativity, Laugarvatn, Iceland.
2020 Maitland City Council’s ‘Creative Streets: After Dark’ Grant.
2020 Brenda Clouten Travelling Scholarship, Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
2019 The New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program
2017 Public A.I.R Residency and Mentoring Program, First Coat Studios, Toowoomba.
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Group Exhibitions
2025 (Forthcoming) St Columba's Art Prize, Springwood, New South Wales.
2025 (Current) Land Sea Sky 2, Petite Collection, Virtual Exhibition.
2025 (Current) Previous Owner, A Block Gallery, UniSQ, Toowoomba.
2025 A Bit Weird, A Bit Rebellious, Untitled Gallery, Darwin.
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2024 Highly Commended, Duality, Flow Studios, Sydney.
2024 Fill Your Eyes 2, Foyer Gallery, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba.
2024 Petite Pieces Art Prize, Aspire Gallery, Brisbane.
2023 Biennial of Reductive and Non-Objective Art, Touring Exhibition, Australia.
2023 March to Art: Create, ANVAM, Melbourne.
2023 Fill Your Eyes, Foyer Gallery, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba.
2022 Fifty Squared, Brunswick Street Gallery, Melbourne.
2021 Que Des Femmes / Only Women, Red Door Gallery, Toowoomba.
2021 Fragile States, Lasso Gallery, Toowoomba.
2021 Fresh Meat, First Coat Studios, Toowoomba.
2021 Across the Borders, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba.
2021 Eleven Under Thirty, The New Artisans Gallery, Sydney.
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2020 9 by 5, Walker Street Gallery, Melbourne.
2020 SICS Degrees, Murky Waters Studio, Townsville.
2020 2020 Brenda Clouten Travelling Scholarship, Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Maitland.
2020 State of Diversity (Qld Regional Art Awards), Touring Show, Flying Arts Alliance., Brisbane.
2020 Boiling Point, Group Charity Exhibition, The Third Quarter, Brisbane.
2019 GraduArt 2019, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, Toowoomba.
2019 Biennale of Reductive and Non-Objective Art, Store Building, Sydney.
2019 Show Me, Dunmore Gallery, Toowoomba.
2019 Art Haus V, Artsworx Foyer Gallery, Toowoomba.
2019 Foot Square, Aspire Gallery, Brisbane.
2019 Emerging Artist Award, Fortyfive Downstairs, Melbourne.
2019 Moreton Bay Art Awards, Strathpine Community Centre, Strathpine.
2019 Corporeal Experiences, The Apothecary Gallery, Chattanooga, TN.
2019 Grammar Art Show, Toowoomba Grammar School, Toowoomba.
2019 Abstract, Gallery Ring, Juried Virtual Exhibition.
2019 8 x 10 Group Exhibition, The Corner Store Gallery, Orange.
2019 50 Squared, Brunswick Street Gallery, Melbourne.
2018 More, More, More, First Coat Studios, Toowoomba.
2018 Young Artist Award, Royal Queensland Art Society, Brisbane.
2018 Future Now, First Coat Studios, Toowoomba.
2018 New Modern, Red Door Project Gallery, Toowoomba.
2018 Emerging Artist Award, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, Toowoomba.
2018 Art Haus IV, Artsworx Foyer Gallery, Toowoomba.
2018 Small Works Art Prize, Brunswick Street Gallery, Melbourne.
2018 Stanthorpe Art Prize, Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery, Stanthorpe.
2018 Life Abstracted, Cambridge Studio Gallery, Melbourne.
2018 Milburn Art Prize, Brisbane Institute of Art, Brisbane.
2018 Grammar Art Show, Toowoomba Grammar School, Toowoomba.
2017 GraduArt 2017, Artsworx Foyer Gallery, Toowoomba.
2017 Future Now, No Comply Gallery, Toowoomba.
2017 Semiprecious, No Comply Gallery, Toowoomba.
2017 Downlands Art Exhibition, Downlands, Toowoomba.
2017 Art Haus III, Artworx Foyer Gallery, Toowoomba.
2017 Trans, Raygun Lab, Toowoomba.
2017 Shifting Sands, No Comply Gallery, Toowoomba.
2017 Public A.I.R. Exhibition, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, Toowoomba.
2017 Grammar Art Show, Toowoomba Grammar School, Toowoomba.
2016 Fast Plant III, No Comply Gallery, Toowoomba.
2016 Art Haus II, Artsworx Foyer Gallery, Toowoomba.
2016 Islands Off the Coast, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, Toowoomba.
2016 Grammar Art Show, Toowoomba Grammar School, Toowoomba.