BIO
Kerry Lennon, born in New Zealand, is now based in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia. Working predominantly in oil painting and installation, Lennon uses humour and nostalgia to create narratives from the everyday, set in domestic backdrops. Commencing a Master's in Contemporary Art at the Victorian College of Arts (2026), she holds a Bachelor of Consumer and Applied Science (Design Studies) from Otago University (1999.)Diploma of Visual Arts in Critique of Cultural works (2025.)Certificate IV in Painting, Drawing, and Art History (2023.)
In 2025, Lennon was a finalist in the Flanagan art prize for her oil painting Insync.
Lennon was a successful grant applicant in 2021 for the public spaces exhibition program at Dirty Dozen, Campbell Arcade: a program of the Creative City branch at the City of Melbourne. In 2021, she was a pitch winner with Investible an early-stage venture capital accelerator to develop her practice.
Upcoming in 2026, Lennon has an Out of Home billboard, public artwork, showing in Collingwood, Melbourne, and will have a selected artwork for the Victorian College of Arts, Master of Contemporary Art, 1st year cohort, group show at George Paton Gallery.
Lennon held her recent solo show, “Petite Salon” at Evefresh studios earlier in 2026, and is a regular contributor to group shows since the early 2000’s.
Group show highlights: Camberwell Art Show, Melbourne -Selected entry, (2025) Flanagan Art Award Show, Ballarat: -Finalist (2025). Poowong Community Arts show, Poowong. (2021) Ephemeral Art Group Show, Merri Creek, Coburg (2020). Moreland (Now renamed Merri-bak) Summer Show, Counihan Gallery -Selected entry (2012).
Early career awards: News Ltd Cannes Young Creative Competition – Finalist.(2004) AWARD School Top 25 (Australian Writers & Art Directors Association) – Selected Entry (2003) Pulp Magazine Fashion Graphic Competition – Finalist in 3 categories (2002) & (2001)and Radical art award - Weta Workshop, New Zealand - Winner (1999)
Lennon has a background in creative advertising, working in London, Sydney and Melbourne, which brings a sharp awareness of storytelling, visual language, and the influence of popular culture to her evolving contemporary art practice.
CV
EDUCATION
2026 Commencing Master of Contemporary Art, Victorian College of Arts
2025 Diploma of Visual Arts -Critique of Cultural works, 1 subject, Melbourne Polytechnic2023 Cert IV Visual Arts - Painting, Drawing and Art History, 7 subjects, Melbourne Polytechnic 2003 AWARD School (selected entry) Top 25 Advertising Council Australia 1995–1998 Bachelor of Consumer & Applied Science, Major: Design Studies on Form and Function, Otago University, Dunedin, New Zealand
EXHIBITIONS
SOLO EXHIBITION
2026 “Out of home” OOH billboard, Collingwood, Melbourne
2025 “Petite Salon” Everfresh studios, Collingwood, Melbourne
2020 “My Blue period” (Covid lockdown) Preston Artist Studio, Preston, Melbourne
2014 “The Shit People Say” 365-Day Drawing Project Installation, Wetlands ARI Gallery Brunswick Melbourne
GROUP EXHIBITION
Facilitator/curator and exhibitor- Melbourne
2025 “Dada Art Show: Everything is art, and everyone is an artist”. Merri Creek, Coburg Medium: Collage -Discoverable installation (Interactive artist-led installation)
2021 “Trash Magic: Alchemy of the Found Object” Window Box, Campbell Arcade,Melbourne Medium: Sculpture/ Installation
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025 Camberwell Art Show, Camberwell: Medium: Oil Painting -Selected entry
2025 Flanagan Art Award Show, Ballarat: Medium: Oil Painting -Finalist
2021 Poowong Community Arts, Poowong: Medium: Wearable art
2020 Ephemeral Art Group Show, Merri Creek, Coburg: Medium installation
2019 Party Animals Group Show, Catfood Press, Brunswick: Medium Illustration
2012 Moreland Summer Show, Counihan Gallery, Medium: Illustration – Selected entry
2012 Brunswick St show, Brunswick Gallery. Medium: Illustration – Selected entry
2007-2009 The Wall: Arts club night, World Bar, Sydney – Creator /regular contributor
2007 Red collar workers: Creature Feature, Sydney, Medium: Wearable art – Selected entry
PUBLICATIONS
2012 Illustration submission in Freerange Journal Issue 6 – Selected entry
2011 Cartoon contributor -The Politics of Fashion - Online
2010 Cartoon contributor, Dissent – Political Magazine – Selected entry
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
2025 Flanagan Art Award – Finalist
2004 News Ltd Cannes Young Creative Competition – Regional winner
2003 AWARD School Top 25 (Australian Writers & Art Directors Association) – Selected Entry
2002 & 2001 Pulp Magazine Fashion Graphic Competition – Finalist in 3 categories
1999 Radical art award - Weta Workshop, New Zealand – Winner
GRANTS
2021 Successful applicant: 2-month Exhibition program at Dirty Dozen, Campbell Arcade: 12 glass vitrines lining a public underpass from Flinders Street Station, managed by Creative Spaces: a program of the Creative City branch at City of Melbourne. Lennon facilitated, curated, and exhibited in Trash Magic: The Alchemy of the Found Object, a show of 12 artists. Inviting the public to engage with art in an unexpected urban space. Included: Artists’ own installation in the 1st Vitrine)
2020 Pitch winner: Investible small business/ early stage venture capital accelerator to develop practice.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Mel Ogier “Melbourne artist Kerry Lennon’s 365 days of the shit people say exhibition” The Garbwire 2016.