Rick Matear has enjoyed a distinguished painting career spanning more than five decades. Born in 1960, his passion for art began at an early age and has evolved into a lifelong commitment to painting. He graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in 1981, where he was awarded the prestigious Sara Levi Prize for the most outstanding student in painting.
Since the early 1980s, Rick has exhibited extensively throughout Australia, including Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra, as well as internationally in London. His work is widely admired for its luminous treatment of light, particularly its reflections on water, and for his evocative interpretations of the Mornington Peninsula landscape. Combining keen observation with technical mastery, Rick continually explores new painting methods, embracing experimentation as an essential part of his creative practice.
Working across more than fifty years has given Rick a depth of experience that is evident in the confidence, sensitivity and craftsmanship of his paintings. His enduring fascination with the Australian landscape, atmosphere and changing light continues to inspire work that resonates with collectors and audiences alike.
Rick lives and works in Melbourne, where his studio is located within the historic Abbotsford Convent precinct. Set alongside a tranquil stretch of the Yarra River, the Convent is home to a vibrant community of artists and makers, and its unique heritage and natural surroundings continue to influence his work. Beyond painting, Rick's passions include his family, gardening and teaching art. A dedicated cyclist, he rides to and from his studio each day, valuing the quiet reflection and connection to the landscape that these journeys provide.