Euan Macleod, born in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1956, is a Sydney-based artist known for his evocative and introspective works that explore the human condition within the landscape.
Macleod graduated with a Diploma of Fine Arts (Painting) from the Ilam School of Fine Arts, University of Canterbury, in 1979. Soon after, in 1981, he relocated to Sydney, Australia, where he has continued to develop his practice, becoming a prominent figure in the art scenes of both Australia and New Zealand.
Macleod’s work is characterised by a deep engagement with the physicality of paint and an exploration of the figure within the landscape, often blurring the lines between the two. His expressive brushwork and rich use of colour create dynamic compositions that convey emotion, tension, and a profound sense of place. Over the years, Macleod has held more than fifty solo exhibitions across Australasia and has participated in numerous group shows internationally.
Throughout his career, Macleod has been recognised with numerous prestigious awards. Notably, he won the Archibald Prize in 1999, one of Australia’s most esteemed art honours. His other accolades include the Sulman Prize (2001), the Blake Prize (2006), the New South Wales Parliament’s inaugural Plein Air Painting Prize (2008), the Tattersalls Landscape Art Prize (2000 and 2009), and the Gallipoli Art Prize (2009). Most recently, in 2021, he was awarded the Dobell Drawing Prize in Australia, further cementing his reputation as a leading contemporary artist.
Macleod’s work is represented in major public and private collections worldwide, including Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand), the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Art Gallery of Western Australia, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. His ability to resonate with audiences across cultures and geographies speaks to the universal themes present in his work.
In 2010, Piper Press published Euan Macleod: The Painter in the Painting, a comprehensive monograph by Gregory O’Brien that explores three decades of Macleod’s artistic journey. This publication coincided with a major touring exhibition, Surface Tensions: The Art of Euan Macleod 1991-2009, curated by Gavin Wilson, which traveled to six regional Australian galleries, concluding in Sydney in 2012. Another significant exhibition, Euan Macleod – Painter, curated by Gregory O’Brien, toured twelve New Zealand regional galleries between 2014 and 2017, showcasing fifty works spanning three decades of Macleod’s career.
Macleod’s artistic endeavours extend beyond painting. In 2019, he collaborated with writer Lloyd Jones on High Wire, a compelling book of drawings and words, published in 2020. This project reflects Macleod’s ongoing exploration of the intersection between visual art and literature, further highlighting his versatility and depth as an artist.
Euan Macleod continues to live and work in Sydney, where he remains an influential and active presence in the art world.