ART x VISION SCIENCE
Julie Purdie is an artist living and working in the Hunter Valley.
She is also a practising clinical optometrist and uses her knowledge of vision science to inform her creative process.
AVAILABLE THROUGH MICHAEL REID SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS
Julie is interested in creating work that references the various stages of human visual perception that occur as we interpret the world around us.
By using her background in clinical optometry she paints familiar landscapes through the framework of human visual physiology, creating images that reflect how we actually see while leaving space for viewers to bring their own memories to the work.
After creating digital and paper sketches of the Australian landscape she uses these drawings to inspire abstract photography, with long-exposures and camera movement, or to become acrylic or oil paintings, often using sgraffito, layers or masking techniques to reveal various stages of visual processing.
She also uses medical imaging such as optical coherence tomography to create conceputal photography images that illustrate the emotional and psychological effects of the ocular diseases they document.
By using methods to highlight various elements of visual perception she aims to reveal unique viewpoints and meaning.
Sightlines series available through Michael Reid Southern Highlands
STUDIES
1993-1997 Bachelor of Applied Science (Optometry) First Class Honours — Queensland University of Technology
2001-2002 Postgraduate Certificate in Business Management — La Trobe University, Melbourne
2015-2016 Postgraduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics — Australian College of Optometry, Melbourne
2024 Beyond Colour Theory (Short Course) — National Art School, Sydney
2024-2025 Awarded Studio Mentorship (Painting) with Dr Annemarie Murland — Newcastle Art Space
EXHIBITIONS, AWARDS AND PRIZES
2026 “Sightlines” painting series presented through Michael Reid Galleries — Michael Reid Southern Highlands
2026 Finalist — Museum of Australian Photography LOOK! Prize
2025 Finalist — Mullins Conceptual Photography Prize
2025 Semi-finalist – Newcastle Club Foundation Art Prize
2024 Finalist – National Emerging Art Prize – Morning mist lifting
2024 Winner – Newcastle Club Foundation Art Prize - Staff Choice – Early morning views towards the Hunter River
2024 Finalist – Waverley Woollahra Art School 9 x 5 Prize – Dormer windows in Morpeth
2024 Finalist – Waverley Woollahra Art School 9 x 5 Prize – Sorghum and red natal grass near Oakey
2024 Finalist – Hunter Emerging Art Prize – Painting – Deuteranomalous Quipolly
2024 Finalist – Hunter Emerging Art Prize – Photomedia – Easy oar
2023 Finalist – Newcastle Club Foundation Art Prize – The Long Bridge in flood
2022 Finalist – Blackstone Gallery Works on Paper Prize – Driving past cotton crops and memories
2022 Group exhibition “12 Days of Christmas – 12 Amazing Local Artists” – Maitland CBD
2022 Bottlebrushes acquired by Joe Eisenberg OAM for the Eisenberg Wilton Collection
2021 Shortlisted – Australian Photography Awards – Landscape Category – Through the trees 1
2018 Winner - Hunter Valley Grammar Inspired Art Exhibition - Best Emerging Artist