Ann Arora is a Sydney-based artist and art educator whose figurative paintings explore how intuitive and deliberate processes shape the representation of everyday life. Drawing on encounters in shared urban spaces, her work focuses on the act of looking and the relationships that emerge between figures, viewer and surface. Through fluid figure–ground relationships and echoed forms, her paintings evoke moments of connection and quiet intensity. Arora holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Art and Bachelor of Art Education from UNSW Art & Design and is currently undertaking a Doctor of Fine Arts at the National Art School.
Education/Experience
1990-93
Bachelor of Fine Arts, UNSW College of Fine Arts
1993-95
Master of Art, UNSW College of Fine Arts (Painting)
2001-2002
Bachelor of Art Education, (Advanced standing) UNSW College of Fine Arts
2003-present
Junior School Visual Arts Specialist Teacher – Cranbrook School
2025 – current
Doctoral Candidate at National Art School, Darlinghurst
Exhibitions
Solo Exhibition “Hide and Seek” at Sheffer Gallery, September, 2013
Selected Group Exhibitions/Prizes
2026
Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing – finalist
2025
Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing – finalist
2024
Korea Australia Arts Foundation (KAAF) Art Prize – finalist
2020
‘New Beginnings’ – Korean Cultural Centre Sydney
Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize – finalist Lismore Regional Gallery
Portia Geach Memorial Award – finalist SH Ervin Gallery
Waverley Art Prize – finalist Waverley Woolhara Art School
Percival Portrait Painting Prize – finalist/Perc Tucker Regional Gallery Townsville
Choose Art – Give Light – International online art auction and exhibition – NG Creative Residency
2019
‘Connexions Silencieuses’ Ancienne Eglise St Laurent Eygalières – NG Creative Residency Provence, France
2018
Korea Australia Arts Foundation (KAAF) Art Prize – (commended)
Percival Portrait Painting Prize – finalist – Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville
2017
Mosman Art Prize – finalist, Mosman Art Gallery
2016
Archibald Salon Des Refuses – S H Ervin Gallery
Lethbridge 10000 Small Scale Art Award – finalist, Lethbridge Gallery Brisbane
Chippendale New World Art Prize – finalist, Kensington Contemporary Chippendale
64th Blake Prize – Directors Cut Exhibition
2015
Doug Moran National Portrait Prize – Semi-finalist
International Women’s Day Art Prize – See Street Gallery Meadowbank
Chippendale New World Art Prize – Carlton Project Space, Chippendale
2014
International Woman’s Day Art Prize – See Street Gallery, Meadowbank – finalist
2013
Portia Geach Memorial Award – SH Ervin Gallery Sydney
Waverly Art Prize – finalist
International Woman’s Day Art Prize – See Street Gallery Meadowbank
2012
Waverly Art Prize – finalist
2010
North Sydney Art Prize – finalist
Without Notice – Ewart Gallery, Willoughby
1999
Represented at The Painters Gallery, Mona Vale.
1998
Lloyd Rees Memorial Youth Art Award – finalist
1995
Master of Art Graduating Students Exhibition – COFA
1994
Fowlers Gap – COFA Gallery
Young Dissonants – COFA Gallery
1993
Bachelor of Fine Arts Graduating Students Exhibition – COFA
Namaste – TAP Gallery Darlinghurst.
Contact – TAP Gallery Darlinghurst.
Fowlers Gap – COFA Gallery.
Collections
National Westminster Bank – Collection of 7 Young Australian Artists.
Private Collections Australia, India, USA.
Residencies
2019 – NG Creative Residency Eygalieres France
2016 – Bungaree Artist Residency, South Australia