Louisa’s art practice spans painting, etching, drawing, sculpture and photo media. Her work is self-referential and multi-layered, existing in its own right with its own particular voice, while at the same time drawing upon the richness of the art historical tradition. In this sense her work is intellectually rigorous as well as aesthetically strong and challenging. She responds to evocative and symbolic imagery, dramatic contrasts of light and dark and transient moments.
A recurrent theme in her work is that of the female form. She represents the past, present and future, and appears apparition-like in a visionary landscape. Her presence is a reminder of the fragile relationship between humankind and Mother Nature. Inner layers are exposed in her paintings and each painting engenders a personal dreamlike experience often reminding one of a much loved and special place. Her artworks are characterized by a sophisticated colour palette and a unique perspective of the universal beauty and complexity that exists in nature and throughout the cosmos.
Louisa’s work has been acquired through competitions and exhibitions for public and private collections in Australia and overseas. Her self-portrait “That Special Place” was Highly Commended in one of Australia’s major portrait prizes the Portia Geach Memorial Award. She has been a finalist in a number of major painting and sculpture awards including the Ravenswood Australian Women's Art Prize, The Muswellbrook Art Award, The International Ceramics Award Japan, The Hutchins Contemporary Art Prize and The Fishers Ghost Open Art Award.
Portia Geach Memorial Award Judges comment:
“Louisa Antico was a strong contender with her jewel-like painting that literally depicts the artist in the womb of a burgeoning nature. The lush colour and organic composition graphically illustrates Ludwig Wittgenstein's statement "I am my world".
Education and Artist Residency
1989 - 1991 Diploma of Fine Art - Major Painting. National Art School Sydney
2006 - 2007 Creative Fine Arts Statement of Attainment - Distinction in Sculpture and Technology. Western Sydney Institute.
2007 - 2008 Certificate 4 Creative Fine Arts - Distinction in Surface Treatment Adaptation. Western Sydney Institute
2014 - Artists Residency Scuola Internazionale di Grafica Venice Italy
2015 -2016 - Established Artists Residency, Sofala NSW.
Awards
2022 Semi-Finalist KAAF Art Prize
2021 Merit Prize Immunisation Coalition Art Prize
2021 Finalist 4th place Self Portrait American Art Awards
2020 Finalist Fishers Ghost Contemporary Art Award
2020 Selected "The Salon" Curated Exhibition M16 ArtSpace ACT
2019 Finalist Fishers Ghost Contemporary Art Award
2019 Finalist Flow Wollongong Art Gallery National Contemporary Watercolour Prize
2018 Finalist Fishers Ghost Open Art Award
2018 Finalist Kennedy Art Prize South Australia
2018 Winner Waverley Art Prize Mixed Media
2018 Finalist The Hutchins Australian Contemporary Art Prize Hobart
2017 Finalist Fishers Ghost Open Art Award
2017 Finalist The Ravenswood Australian Women's Art Prize
2014 Finalist Fishers Ghost Open Art Award
2013 Finalist Blacktown City Art Prize
2012 Finalist Hawkesbury Art Prize
2012 Finalist Fishers Ghost Open Art Award
2012 Finalist " Wild Flower" Mount Eyre Art Prize
2012 Highly Commended "My Garden" Art Oakhill Acquistive Art Prize
2011 Finalist Blake Prize Directors' Cut Exhibition.
2011 Finalist Blacktown City Art Prize
2011 Finalist Works on Paper 49th Fishers Ghost Art Award
2011 Finalist "Bride" 41st Muswellbrook Open Art Prize.
2010 Highly Commended "Waratah" Blacktown City Art Prize Acquired by Westlink M7
2009 Highly Commended “That Special Place” Portia Geach Memorial Award SH.Ervin Gallery Sydney.
2008 Finalist Honorable Mention 8th International Ceramics Award Mino Japan Sculptural Work “Joy”
2008 Winner Acquisitive Ceramic Award WSI Acquired by Western Sydney Institute
2008 Finalist "Rainbowls" Ergon Energy Central Queensland Art Award
2007 Finalist Rosemarie Dustmann Award “Dream Vessel” Fishers Ghost Art Award
Campbelltown Arts Centre.
2007 Winner “Healing Power of Art” Manhattan Arts International New York USA
2007 Finalist “She Who Dreams” Walker Street Gallery Dandenong Victioria
2006 Finalist Rosemarie Dustmann Award “The Blue Mask” Fishers Ghost Art Award Campbelltown Arts Centre.
2005 Finalist Self Portrait “Observation” Portia Geach Memorial Award SH.Ervin Gallery Sydney.
2004 Finalist Portrait “Night Time” Portia Geach Memorial Award SH.Ervin Gallery Sydney.
1993 Finalist “Self Portrait in Blue” Portia Geach Memorial Award SH.Ervin Gallery Sydney.
1991 Highly Commended "So Long" Lloyd Rees Bicentennial Award Art Award.
Exhibitions
2020 Selected "A Show of Heads" Curated Exhibition Limner Gallery New York USA
2020 Selected "The Salon" Curated Exhibition M16 ArtSpace ACT