Tasmanian-born Lee Blakie has dedicated over forty years to her artistic journey, drawing inspiration from her personal connection to the land and sea. Through her vibrant colours and textures, she seeks to encapsulate nature’s essence, hoping to evoke a greater appreciation for our surroundings. Each piece invites viewers to explore the ongoing dialogue and passage of time between humanity and the environment. Now retired from her teaching and nursing careers, Lee creates from her studio on the North West Coast. Her recent works include pencil drawings, textiles, and painting;  past practices have encompassed photography and ceramics.

Lee earned both a Bachelor of Fine Arts (1993) and a Master of Art, Design and Environment (2009) from the University of Tasmania. During her Master’s program, she also self-published her book, Dennes Point, Bruny Island (2009).

Throughout her career, Lee has participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions, recently being selected for [Let the Art Speak] at the Long Gallery. Last year, she collaborated with fellow artists to produce The Book of Q at Press West in Queenstown. Additionally, she received a People’s Choice award from both the Devonport Regional Gallery and the Launceston Art Society. One of her works is also featured in the Tasmanian Art Society’s 2026 calendar.

Lee aims to create artwork that fosters a deeper appreciation for the natural world, emphasizing our interconnectedness with Mother Nature and the collective responsibilities we share for the health of our planet.

EDUCATION 

2010 Post Graduate Certificate, Photography, UTAS 

2009 Master of Art, Design and  Environment, UTAS 

2000 Bachelor of Education, UTAS 

1993 Bachelor of Fine Arts, UTAS 

1977 Registered Nurse, RHH

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS 

2026 Five Days in April, Legacy House, Launceston  

2026 [Let the] Art Speak, Long Gallery, Salamanca, Hobart

2025 Meander Valley Art Award, Meander Valley Performing Arts Centre,  Deloraine

2025 The Book of Q, PressWEST, Queenstown

2025 Inspirations, Legacy House, Launceston

2025 All In, Devonport Regional Gallery, Devonport

2025 Springboard, Lady Franklin Gallery, Hobart

2024 Dear Forests, Generator Gallery,  Belconnen ACT

2024 Imagine, Legacy House, Launceston 

2023 NWAC Annual Exhibition,   Devonport Regional Gallery

2023 Metamorphosis, Atrium Gallery, Launceston 

2023 Breaking Barriers, a Layered Approach, Fiber Arts Take Two, Online Exhibition

2023 Presence, Meander Valley Art  Award, Westbury 

2022 ArtEx, Ulverstone

2012 A Response to Sullivan's Cove, Long Gallery, Hobart

2011 Encore, LARQ, Queenstown

2010 Osmosis-Queenstown,  Long Gallery, Hobart

2010 Echoed Memories of Place Drawn in Light, Art at the Point, Bruny Island,  Space Gallery, Launceston 

2009 Graduate Masters Show, Plimsoll Gallery, Hobart

2009 Osmosis, Sidespace Gallery, Hobart 2008 In Progress, Plimsoll Gallery, Hobart

2008 Art, Natural Environment  Wilderness Group Exhibition, Entrepot, Hobart

2005 Artist in Residence Retrospective,  Scotch Oakburn College, Launceston

PUBLICATIONS

Vanderslink, L. 2009, Dennes Point, Bruny Island, The Print Centre, Hobart

AWARDS

2026 Five Days in April, People’s Choice, Launceston Art Society 

2025 Inspirations, People’s Choice, 2nd Prize Launceston Art Society

2025 All In, Devonport Regional Gallery, Wow-Factor: Most Impact

2022 ArtEx, Honourable Mention 

2013-14 Silver Awards, AIPP 

1997 Golden Key Honour Society  

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE  

1994 Scotch Oakburn College, Launceston