Biography
Joel Rea was born in 1983 and graduated in 2003 from the Queensland College of Art, Griffith University, with a Bachelor of Fine Art. Upon graduating he was awarded Golden Key International Honour Society membership for outstanding scholastic achievement and excellence and was also granted the Griffith Award for academic excellence in Fine Art. At the end-of-year QCA Graduate Exhibition, Joel's painting skills were recognised by Lethbridge Gallery director and artist Brett Lethbridge, and by early 2004 he began a Mentorship under Brett Lethbridge covering all aspects of a successful fine artist practice.
In 2005, Joel released his first group of oil paintings in Melbourne with Lethbridge Gallery and was met with immediate success and acclaim for his meticulous detail and vivid concepts. Through the next few years, Joel painted profusely and released new works annually in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. In 2006, his first solo exhibition of paintings, 'High Fidelity', was purchased entirely by a single international collector before opening night. In 2007 at the age of 24, he achieved a record high price for a single painting, 'Killing Me Softly', which sold for AU$30,000.
Through many national and international acquisitions, Joel has been able to support his full-time fine art practice with great artistic freedom and diversity. In addition, he has drawn upon his technical skills by leading workshops for art students and professionals in the development of painting style and the uses of oils.
In 2010, Joel decided to compete in prestigious art prizes and awards, and as a first time entrant he was selected as a finalist in the Metro Art Award, Australia’s richest award for artists under 35 years of age, as well as the Redland Gallery Biennial Contemporary Painting Competition Art Award.
This year Joel was a second time finalist in the 2011 Metro Art Award, coming in 2nd place with a Highly Commended from the judges. Joel also had paintings selected in the finalist exhibitions of the Prometheus Visual Arts Award on the Gold Coast and the Clayton Utz Art Award in Brisbane.
Artist Statement
"I have been excited by the art of technical painting since an early age, being such a fan of great paintings drives me to create my own work. I see painting as a unique way to entertain people and provoke thought. My concepts swim endlessly around my head as I strive to impress viewers with my hands and mind in the same way I have been impacted by a world full of incredible artistic visions and my belief this world is truly amazing and inspiring."
- Joel Rea
CV
Joel Rea
b.1983
Lives and works on the Gold Coast, Queensland.
Studies
2001 - 2003
Bachelor of Fine Art Graduate, Queensland College of Art, Griffith University
Solo Exhibitions
2010, Monuments and Miniatures, Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane
2009, The Balance Divine, Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane
2007, Where There's Fire, Art Melbourne07, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne
2006, High Fidelity, Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane
Exhibitions
2011
Clayton Utz Art Award Finalists Exhibition, Brisbane
Metro Gallery Art Award Finalists Exhibition, Melbourne
Art Melbourne11, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne
Lethbridge 10000 Art Award Finalists Exhibition, Brisbane
Prometheus Visual Art Award Finalists Exhibition, Gold Coast
2010
Art Sydney10, Royal Hall of Industries, Sydney
Redland Gallery Art Award, Biennial Contemporary Painting Competition, Finalists Exhibition, Cleveland
Solo Exhibition, Monuments and Miniatures, Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane
Metro Art Award Finalists Exhibition, Metro Gallery, Melbourne
Group Exhibition, Astras Galleries, Gold Coast
Netanya Resort Conference, Hastings Street, Noosa
2009
Solo Exhibition, The Balance Divine, Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane
Group Exhibition, Coda Gallery, Palm Desert, California, USA
Art Melbourne 09, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne
Preview Show, Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane
2008
Art Sydney08, Royal Hall of Industries, Sydney
Art Brisbane08, Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane
Art Melbourne08, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne
Preview Show, Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane
2007
Art Sydney07, Royal Hall of Industries, Sydney
Preview Show, Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane
Solo Exhibition, Where There's Fire, Art Melbourne07, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne
Preview Show, Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane
2006
Solo Exhibition High Fidelity, Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane
Sajen Legal Art Show, Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast
Art Melbourne06, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne
Preview Show, Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane
St. Margaret's Art Show, Ascot, Brisbane
Art Sydney06, Royal Hall of Industries, Sydney
2005
Brisbane Art Fair, Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane
Art Sydney05, Royal Hall of Industries, Sydney
Melbourne Affordable Art Show, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne
Preview Show, Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane
2004
Mentorship, Brett Lethbridge, Brisbane
Departure Lounge Group Exhibition, Gold Coast
Border Art Prize, Tweed River Art Gallery
Awards & Prizes
2011 Finalist, Clayton Utz Art Award, Brisbane
2011 Highly Commended, Metro Gallery Art Award, Melbourne
2011 Winner, Gold Coast Young Achiever in Vocational Excellence, Fine Art
2011 Finalist, Prometheus Visual Art Award, Gold Coast
2010 Finalist, Metro Art Award, Metro Gallery, Melbourne
2010 Finalist, Redland Gallery Art Award, Biennial Contemporary Painting Competition, Cleveland
2003 Awarded Golden Key International Honour Society membership for outstanding scholastic achievement and excellence.
2003 Granted the Griffith Award for academic excellence in Fine Art, Queensland College of Art.
Travel/Gallery Research
2008
Musee Du Louvre / Musee d'Orsay, Paris, France. The National Gallery, London, England. Guggenheim, Venice, Italy. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Uffizi Gallery / Galleria Nazionale del Bargello, Florence, Italy. Dali Museum, Barcelona, Spain.
