ABOUT THE ARTIST
Guy Maestri (b. 1974) is a celebrated Australian artist known for his visceral, expressive paintings that explore the tension between beauty and chaos. Working primarily in oil, Maestri’s practice spans portraiture, still life, and landscape, often characterised by bold brushwork, heavy impasto, and dynamic mark-making.
He rose to national prominence after winning the 2009 Archibald Prize for his portrait of Australian musician Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. Since then, Maestri has exhibited widely across Australia, with solo exhibitions at major commercial galleries including Jan Murphy Gallery (Brisbane) and Olsen Gallery (Sydney). His work is held in prominent public and private collections, including the National Portrait Gallery, Art Gallery of New South Wales, and the Parliament House Art Collection.
Drawing inspiration from music, literature, and the Australian environment, Maestri’s paintings evoke emotional intensity through abstraction and gesture. His large-scale canvases — particularly his landscapes and florals — are celebrated for their immediacy and physicality, offering viewers an immersive sensory experience.
He lives and works in Sydney.