Ochre Lawson
b. 1968, Sydney, Australia
Lives and works in Sydney, Australia

Ochre Lawson’s paintings unpack her connection to the natural world. The paintings are intimate in their focus on microcosm and habitat. The mark making is loose and free, the bold landscapes fall into abstraction but beam with positivity. Lawson captures the essence of a place, the vibrancy and wonder found in the works reflect a deep respect for the wilderness. This passion and connection to ecosystems grew from many years of work as an environmental activist.

Lawson completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts at National Art School, Sydney in 2007. Previous studies included a Diploma of Fine Arts at the Southbank Institute of TAFE, Brisbane in 2001and online studies in art theory and practice through RMIT in Melbourne. Lawson has exhibited widely in Australia as well as Internationally.

Lawson is in both public and private collections including Art Bank. She has been awarded public commissions for Urban Growth, Sydney (2015, 2016), NSW Transport (2014), and for Momac residential development in Canberra (2009). She has been a consistent finalist in art awards including The Glover Prize, Muswellbrook Art Prize, the NSW Parliament Plein Air Prize, Waterhouse Natural Science art prize, The Fishers Ghost art prize, Greenway art prize, Defiance Small Sculpture Prize, the Northbridge Art Prize, the Gosford Regional Gallery Art Prize and the Waverley Woollahra Art Prize and has won awards in different categories. Lawson was selected as artist in residence at the Bilpin International Ground for Creative Initiative 2025, 2012,2014; Falls Creek Resort Art Residency in 2023; and in ‘Moriumus' art residency  in Japan in 2017. Ochre has had two illustrated children’s books published. She is a passionate teacher of over 15 years and tutors in painting and drawing at Art Class Sydney in Birchgrove, Sydney, and has presented artist talks in both private and public organisations.

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