Australian Women Artists

The podcast

Ep. 53 Carly le Cerf

Over the last decade, I think it would be fair to say that Carly le Cerf has become one of the most quietly compelling voices in contemporary Australian landscape painting.

Her paintings exude atmosphere and exhibit a beautiful balance of abstraction and observation. Her approach to colour, atmosphere and, I guess, stillness is what makes Carly le Cerf’s paintings so special and the reason behind her commanding a significant amount of collecting attention.

Her inspiration was the, at times, overwhelming desert landscapes of the Pilbara. Those experiences and the influences on her work were profound. We discussed her creative processes in detail which was fascinating. Having seen her work recently at the Sydney Contemporary, I can vouch for the fact that you are drawn into the painting - it’s hard to explain. Her work is often done from an aerial perspective with very little, if any, skyline so the imposing landscape almost hits you in the face and causes you to look quite deeply into it.

It was also interesting talking about her Blue Mountains residency which meant a whole new colour palette and a whole new range of issues to resolve. She's done it brilliantly.

Head to the link in my bio to listen to her episode.

Carly is represented by Michael Reid Galleries and has an exhibition at Michael Reid Murrurundi (with Julz Beresford in partnership with R.M. Williams) in May 2026.

Images

1. Cerly le Cerf

2. Into Her Mystic 2023, 120 x 120

3. Oasis 2022, 104 x 288

4. Looking Out Over Redgums, 2025, 180 x 120

5. Wayfinding, 2025, 180 x 120

6. A Painters Path, 2025, 180 x 120

7. That Alluring Diamond Haze, 2025, 120 x 90