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Kim Nelson (1958–2015) was a celebrated Australian symbolist artist known for his spiritually evocative works and diverse creative journey.
Born in Kiama, New South Wales, Kim grew up in a farming family and was related to renowned landscape painter Leonard Long OAM. His artistic talent emerged early, and at age 17, he studied life drawing at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney—his only formal art training.
Before fully committing to fine art, Kim worked in graphic design, advertising, and music, and later served as a manager/curator for historic properties under the National Trust of Australia. His curatorial excellence earned him multiple awards in heritage and tourism.
In 1996, Kim transitioned to a full-time fine art career, subsequently staging exhibitions across Australian states, including NSW, VIC, WA, ACT and TAS.
His work was exhibited internationally and is held in prestigious collections such as the Australia High Commission in London and News Limited in New York. Kim’s exhibitions were opened by prominent figures including Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, the Hon. Barry O’Keefe QCAM and financier Rene Rivkin.
Kim completed commissioned art for the National Trust of Australia, Pan MacMillan Publishing, the ACT Supreme Court and international media magnate Rupert Murdoch.
Beyond his artistic achievements, Kim was deeply committed to philanthropy, donating art to organisations such as UNICEF Australia, Rotary International, the NSW Volunteer Bushfire Brigade, AMACC (Afghan Mother & Child Care), Koomarri Canberra, The Smith Family and CanAssist.
He lived and worked in the foothills of the Brindabella mountain range, near the Australian national capital, Canberra. From 2010 - 2014 he directed the Kim Nelson Fine Art & Editions Gallery located in a historic Oddfellows’ Hall in the heart of Yass.
Kim founded the regional arts initiative YASSarts which seeks to promote the arts and culture of the Yass Valley region.
In 2013 Kim was named Yass Valley 'Citizen of the Year' in the Australia Day honours for his work in the community and specifically for his services to the arts. Kim was also posthumously awarded the NSW Premier’s Award.
His paintings delved into spirituality, mythology, and human emotion, often evoking a sense of timelessness.
Kim’s work explores spiritual and metaphysical themes through a blend of classical and abstract styles. His art often features recurring motifs like the Red Shawl, which adds layers of mystery and symbolism to his compositions. Drawing inspiration from the great works of the past, Kim said: "I seek not to emulate the styles and techniques of the past, but to reinterpret and develop them in the present and for the future."
The Kim Nelson Retrospective is lovingly curated by his daughter, Caitlin, to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of Kim’s passing.
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Kim’s words:
"The Red Shawl theme is a metaphor, in a sense, of life.
I painted the original artwork in 2005, but the device of fabric floating on the breeze had its origins long before that. The design company ‘Hypnosis’ had used this device on a Pink Floyd album booklet.
The movie What Dreams May Come has wonderful visuals and in it there is a scene where a woman loses a red shawl or picnic blanket (I can’t remember which) in a mountain setting, and I remember thinking I need to remember that imagery for a painting.
Then quite by chance I was reading about Zen Buddhism (as you do) and there was a short passage stating that the different coloured banners and shawls that they display represent different things. Red stands for hopes, passion and aspirations.
In my mind it morphed into one idea – the loosing of the shawl to the wind as a metaphor for life. Some may be carried well whilst others founder. We are no more in charge of our lives than that.
The shape and folds of the shawl could also represent our character makeup and that too is effected by the environment in which we live.
I hope this doesn’t spoil the artwork for you. I’m cautious in describing my own inspirations as everyone comes to a piece of art with their own interpretations."
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