Skip to content

Julian Twigg

Julian Twigg is an Australian artist renowned for his expressive maritime paintings, ceramics, and prints. His work captures the dynamic essence of coastal environments, particularly Port Phillip Bay, and is featured in major collections, including the National Gallery of Victoria.

Photo of Julian Twigg in 2023 by Peter M Lamont
Julian Twigg 2023. Photo: © Peter M Lamont

Table of Contents

Teaching Resources for Julian Twigg (paid plan only)

Art Minute

audio-thumbnail
Art Minute: Julian Twigg
0:00
/81.552

Longhaul 2024

Title: Julian Twigg - Longhaul
Duration: 04:00
Year: 2024
Director/DOP: Peter M Lamont
Music: Peter M Lamont
Cameras: Sony F55, Mavic Mini3 Pro

The Gatehouse 2018

Title: Julian Twigg - The Gatehouse
Duration: 08:05
Year: 2018
Director/DOP: Peter M Lamont
Music: Peter M Lamont
Cameras: Sony F3, DJI Phantom 3

The George 2014

Title: Julian Twigg - The George
Duration: 07:19
Year: 2014
Director/DOP: Peter M Lamont
Music: Moby
Cameras: BMPCC OG

Netley 2012

Title: Julian Twigg - Netley
Duration: 05:11
Year: 2012
Director/DOP: Peter M Lamont
Interviewer: Michel Lawrence
Camera: JVC GY-HM100

About Julian Twigg

Early Life and Background
Born in 1964 in Victoria, Australia, Julian Twigg developed a profound connection to the sea from an early age. This affinity for maritime settings has been a consistent and defining element throughout his artistic career.

Artistic Development and Education
Twigg pursued formal art education at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), where he completed a Diploma of Visual Art in 2000. His studies provided a foundation in various artistic disciplines, including painting, ceramics, and printmaking, allowing him to explore and refine his distinctive style.

Major Works and Exhibitions
Over the past two decades, Twigg has held numerous solo exhibitions across Australia. Notable shows include "Hidden Gems" at Australian Galleries in 2020, marking his 20th solo exhibition, and "Long Haul" in 2024, which featured a series of new maritime paintings. His works are part of several regional and tertiary collections, reflecting his significant contribution to contemporary Australian art.

Style and Technique
Twigg's artistic practice is characterised by impasto paintings constructed from simplified forms and broad colour palettes. He emphasises the emotive aspects and changing temperaments of maritime environments, particularly Port Phillip Bay. His works often depict ships, tugboats, and coastal scenes, rendered with a bold, gestural approach that captures the dynamic nature of the sea.

Legacy and Influence
Twigg's dedication to maritime subjects has established him as a prominent figure in Australian art. His works are held in several regional and tertiary collections, and he has been recognised with awards such as the ANL Maritime Prize in 2007 and the Mayor’s Prize at the Waverley Art Prize in 2010. Through his evocative depictions of the sea, Twigg continues to influence and inspire both audiences and fellow artists.

References

  1. Julian Twigg - Australian Galleries
  2. Julian Twigg - Official Website
  3. Julian Twigg - Bundanon Trust

Teaching Resources

Latest

George Lucas's Museum of Narrative Art

George Lucas's Museum of Narrative Art

Despite being funded by a billionaire, the upcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is drawing fierce criticism for charging steep admission fees after quietly firing its entire education department.

Members Public
Redefining Tradition at NIAF 2026

Redefining Tradition at NIAF 2026

The 7th annual National Indigenous Art Fair debuted at Sydney's newly transformed Cutaway venue, spotlighting Ngalakgan artist Karen Rogers' popular paintings of Toyota vehicles traveling through the bush.

Members Public
New Museum Reopens: 'Memories of the Future'

New Museum Reopens: 'Memories of the Future'

New York's New Museum reopens its doors with a striking OMA-designed expansion and the ambitious 'New Humans: Memories of the Future' exhibition. This event provides a timely opportunity to examine the evolving role of museums in the 21st century.

Members Public
Jo Darvall. Unravelling the wild
Art

Jo Darvall. Unravelling the wild

Jo Darvall walks the forest before she paints it. Born in Yarram in 1966 and trained as a printmaker, she now works from Fremantle, building layered landscapes from repeated walks and close looking. Her patient practice won the 2023 Collie Art Prize, Australia's richest regional award.

Members Public