A little bit about me

Biography

Karen Christine Greaves is a Contemporary Artist.  She was born in Durban, South Africa in 1968. 

Graduating and majoring in Fine Arts and Visual Culture at Curtin University, Karen lives and works from her home studio in Dawesville, Western Australia.

In 1995 she worked as an artist in Guildford Surrey, UK where she met her Australian husband. She moved to Australia in 1996, married in 1998, and became an Australian citizen in 2002. 

Karen runs an Art school, teaching after-school art, adult recreational classes, holiday workshops and paint & sips. 

She has always been inspired by Frida Kahlo and Gustav Klimt as she can relate to their painting style and compositions. On a contemporary note, Del Kathryn Barton has been a huge inspiration to her, with her whimsical style, extensive mark-making and elaborate detailed works. Karen also appreciates Alyssa Monks’ work on how she skillfully merges the human body into nature. 

Over the years Karen has participated in a couple of group exhibitions and Art Awards. The most significant being The Doug Moran National Portrait Prize established in 1988 which has become the country’s most prestigious art prize. 

In 2000, Karen was selected as one of the thirty finalists.  The finalist portraits were displayed during the Sydney Olympic Games and were part of a travelling exhibition around Australia for two years, being showcased in all the major galleries. This Prize was held biannually and has now changed to an annual art event. 

Karen is currently working on a body of works for a solo exhibition.