Michael Simms

Senior Visual Arts Tutor

Michael Simms

Senior Visual Arts Tutor

Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Behavioural Science

Skills & Specialisations

Portraiture – Painting

Michael Simms brings a deep passion for classical painting techniques infused with contemporary perspectives. His art classes offer students the chance to learn from an award-winning artist known for his mastery in portraiture and expressive figures.

With a background in both psychology and fine arts, Michael offers a unique, thoughtful approach to painting, encouraging students to explore emotion and depth in their work. Whether you’re just starting or refining your skills, his guidance is perfect for those looking to grow creatively in a supportive environment.

Contact Us

1300 ART CLASS
1300 278

Online Chat

Email

Send Email
service
@sydneyartschool.com.au

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Tutor's Internet Presence: https://www.michaelsimmsart.com

Michael Simms is a multi-award winning interdisciplinary artist based in Sydney, Australia on Gadigal Country.

His practice engages with themes around queer identity, masculinity, the impacts of digital technology and the body.

Michael completed a degree in psychology in Adelaide before winning a scholarship to study at Julian Ashton Art School. He has been shortlisted for major art competitions including the Archibald Prize and is the winner of the Royal Art Society of NSW Young Artist Prize. He is represented by Flinders Lane Gallery in Melbourne.

SELECT AWARDS AND PRIZES

2023 Finalist in the Archibald Prize, The Art Gallery of NSW

2023 Finalist in the Sunshine Coast Art Prize, Caloundra Regional Gallery

2023 Winner of the Packers’ Prize at the Kennedy Art Prize, The Royal Art Society of South Australia

2022 Finalist in the Darling Portrait Prize, The National Portrait Gallery

2022 Finalist in the Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery

2022 Finalist in the Mudgee Portrait Prize, Mudgee Arts Precinct

2021 Finalist in the Calleen Art Award, Cowra Regional Gallery

2021 Finalist in the Clayton Utz Art Award

2021 Finalist in the Shirley Hannan Portrait Prize, Bega Valley Regional Gallery

2020 Finalist in the Percivals Portrait Prize, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery

2020 Finalist in the Global Art Awards, Shanghai, China

2019 Highly Commended at the Naked and Nude Art Prize, Manning Regional Gallery

2019 Highly Commended at the Melt Portrait Prize, Brisbane Powerhouse

2019 Finalist in the Eutick Memorial Still Life Award, Project Artspace

2019 Finalist in the 14th International ARC Salon, Art Renewal Center

2019 Finalist in the Fisher’s Ghost Art Award, Campbelltown Arts Centre

2018 Winner of the Young Artist Prize, the Royal Art Society of NSW

2018 Winner of the SBS Portrait Prize, Southern Buoy Studios

2018 Winner of the EBNA Portrait Prize and People’s Choice Award, YSC Consultancy

2018 Finalist in the Kilgour Art Prize, Newcastle Art Gallery

2018 Finalist in the Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize, Lismore Regional Gallery

2017 Finalist in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, Juniper Hall

2017 Finalist in the Lyn McCrea Memoral Drawing Prize, Noosa Regional Gallery

2017 Highly Commended at the Lethbridge 10000 Small Scale Art Award, Lethbridge Gallery

2016 Winner of the Cliftons Sydney Art Prize and Cliftons People’s Choice Award

2016 Finalist in the Blacktown Art Prize, Blacktown Arts Centre

2016 Finalist in the Black Swan Prize for Portraiture, Art Gallery of Western Australia

2016 Winner of the Cambridge Studio Gallery Portrait Prize

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2023 ‘Charged’, Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane

2023 ‘Stages: Sydney WorldPride’, Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf, Sydney

2023 ‘Personas’, Frances Keevil, Sydney

2022 ‘Memories and Dust’, Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne

2022 ‘Stages’, Manning Regional Gallery, NSW

2021 ‘Distance’, Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne (online)

2021 ‘ Epoch’, Frances Keevil, Sydney (online)

2020 ‘Drive’, Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne

2018 ‘Interfacing’, Stanley Street Gallery, Sydney

2017 ‘Brink’, Cambridge Studio Gallery, Melbourne

SELECT GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2023 ‘Lives of Their Own’, Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne

2022 ‘Glow’, Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane

2022 ‘Wanderlust’, Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne

2021 ‘Home’, Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane

2020 ‘A Passion Shared | the ELLIOTT EYES COLLECTION’, Maitland Regional Gallery, NSW

2020 ‘Artists to Watch’, Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane

2020 ‘Still’, Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne

2019 ‘Nude’, Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne

2019 ‘On The Fringe’, Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne

2019 ‘ Equus’, Frances Keevil Gallery, Sydney

2018 ‘Undercurrents’, Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne

2018 ‘Temporal’, Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane

2017 ‘Exploration 17’, Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne

2017 ‘The Other Art Fair’, Australia Technology Park, Sydney

EDUCATION

2011 – 2014 The Julian Ashton Art School (Recipient of the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Art Full-Time Scholarship)

2006 – 2011 Flinders University (Bachelor of Behavioural Science and Bachelor of Arts)

RESIDENCIES

2024 Bundanon Artist in Residence Program

2024 Gang Gang Residency Program

2022 The Broken Hill Art Exchange

2019 The New York Academy of Art