About:
A painter, draughtsman, and photographer, Julius Killerby was born in Perth, Australia, but lives and works in London, United Kingdom. His work focuses primarily on the relationship between abstract notions and their tangible effects on people, culture and society. Through motifs such as indecipherable script, rorschach patterns and figures being tortured, Killerby attempts to convey the power that ideas have to shape the physical realm. This subject, and variations of it, encapsulates what he believes to be most distinct about humanity - the ability to transcend physical instincts based on abstract thought. He asserts that "For every action in the universe there is of course an equal and opposite reaction, except within the realm of human life and interactions." Though apparently secular images, these works would then seem to belong to traditions of Christian iconography and martyrdom. They are also, as Killerby states, "... apt images for the 21st century."
Killerby has shown at the VCA Art Space, The Art Gallery of New South Wales, The Art Gallery of Ballarat, Norito Gallery, JGM Gallery, and Lumen Gallery, amongst others, and has sold work throughout Australia and the United Kingdom. Previous sitters for Killerby include the former Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Ron Walker AC CBE, Paul Little AO, Julian Burnside KC, Robert Richter KC and Brendan Murphy KC.
Education and training
2014-2017: University of Melbourne, Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting
2011: Victorian Artist’s Society
Awards and SELECTED exhibitions
November 2025: Real Artists Sweat, Tiderip, London, United Kingdom
March 2025: Mirage of Water, Norito Gallery, London, United Kingdom
December 2024: True Fiction, JGM Gallery, London, United Kingdom
July 2021: Spectrum, Thought Forms Gallery, Melbourne, Australia
May 2021: Out Of The Darkness: A Survivor’s Journey (group), Art Gallery of Ballarat, Australia
Oct 2018: Solo Exhibition, Happy Melon Studio, Armadale, Australia
March 2018: Open Borders 3.0, 44-48 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford, Australia
Jun 2017: Archibald Prize Exhibition, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australia
2017: Archibald Prize, Finalist
Public lectures and educational out-reach
15 Oct 2019: Judge and invited speaker, St Kevin’s College Art Show
8 Nov 2018: Artist talk, Star of the Sea College, Brighton
4 Nov 2017: In Conversation: ‘Philanthropic Arts’, at Geelong Gallery. An ‘in conversation’ about the relationship between art and philanthropy together with Richard Lewer (artist) and Lisa Sullivan (Senior Curator at Geelong Gallery).