It became clear from the age of 4 when drawing on the walls, pavement and whatever I could get my hands on that I had a precocious artistic gift.
In my early years I was mentored by the legendary Australian artist John Olsen and went on to have my first exhibitions at the Holdsworth Galleries – at the time the largest art galleries in the Asia-Pacific.
I initially dedicated my art to what became a highly-distinguished successful career as a designer - and later director and devisor - in the performing arts. I was founder and Artistic Director of my own multi-award-winning unique visual theatre company Kim Carpenter’s Theatre of Image (1989-2019).
Now I devote my singular focus to my artistic vision in my paintings and drawings. Although not keen to be labelled, my work is most-often described as surreal, figurative, fantastical, poetic and beautiful.
I see myself as a visual storyteller and, as such, I am interested in characters/people and the world they inhabit. Often I research a particular subject or life story. For example a recent exhibition was based on the life of Oscar Wilde entitled WILDE: Life And Fantasy. I am interested in creating works that are not only visually seductive to the viewer but have something to say or a story to tell. So, in that regard, you could also identify me as a narrative artist, which I believe comes from my background developing theatre performances - in particular through images and music – with minimal text.
I work instinctively from my imagination. Through my mind’s eye I collect images from my daily life in endless notebooks and adapt or subvert them into whatever stories or themes I am currently exploring.
I like to discover wit, absurdity and beauty in my observations and incorporate them into my work. My work is realised on thick watercolour paper using a combination of watercolour paint, inks and Caran d’Ache crayons.
My work has been seen throughout Australia, Canada, New York City, Caracas and New Zealand.
My work has also been seen in group exhibitions in Moscow, Prague, London and cities in Australia.
I am currently represented by Maunsell Wicks Gallery in Paddington Sydney (formerly The Barry Stern Galleries, Sydney’s oldest commercial gallery).
In July 2025 I will have my third solo exhibition at Maunsell Wicks Gallery
“There is a wonderful kind of youthful, fresh spontaneity about Kim's art. It hasn't been run through the terrible mill of endless analysis, and too much rigour, which tends to drain the life out of things. It is fresh and fruity – and honest.”
Edmund Capon OBE, AO – Former Director of The Art Gallery of NSW Australia.
AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW
All paintings Medium: Watercolour, ink & Caran d’Ache Crayon On Arches Watercolour Paper