Drew Bickford (b. 1974) is an Australian artist who has had an established drawing and painting practice for over 20 years.
Drew's works focus on both figurative as well as narrative imagery, within a surrealistic landscape of text and image. Curious compositions reveal themselves through a process of often confronting imagery, layered with flashes of dark humour that create a distinct unease. Undertones of pop culture, camp and nostalgia are woven around histories of true crime within his practice, with compositions offering viewers a perplexing feeling of familiarity within an unfamiliar space. His palette oscillates between the stark black and white of ink and graphite on paper and the rich technicolour of oils. His works are tantalising and dangerous invitations into the uncanny.
Drew completed a Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts) in 2003 and a Bachelor of Teaching at Western Sydney University in 2004. In addition to his private practice, he currently teaches Visual Arts in Secondary education.
Drew Bickford is represented by Flinders Street Gallery Sydney.
Photo credit: Theo Miller
Artist CV Selected Exhibitions
2024
The Archibald Prize (Finalist)
Art Gallery of NSW
This Time
The Artbank Collection, Sydney
2023
Palisade (Solo Exhibition)
Flinders Street Gallery, Sydney
The Fisher’s Ghost Art Award (Finalist)
Campbelltown Arts Centre
2022
Domino (Solo Exhibition)
Flinders Street Gallery, Sydney
2021
Space YZ
Campbelltown Arts Centre
2018
Fresh Hell (Solo Exhibition)
Flinders Street Gallery, Sydney
Collaboration with Val Wens
Kronenberg-Wright, Sydney
MOP Projects: 2003 - 2016
Artspace, Sydney
2017
Hazelhurst Art on Paper Award
Hazelhurst Arts Centre, Gymea
2016
Trespass (Solo exhibition)
Flinders Street Gallery, Sydney
The 64th Blake Prize (Finalist)
Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre
The 64th Blake Prize (Director’s Cut)
Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre
2015
Extremity (Solo Exhibition)
Flinders Street Gallery, Sydney
Sealed Section
The Artbank Collection, Sydney
Exhibit-A
The Lock Up, Newcastle
2012
NotFair, Melbourne
2010
No Right Turn
Penrith Regional Gallery, Sydney
Back and Forth
Semi Permanent, Brisbane
2009
Mongrel (Solo Exhibition)
MOP Projects, Sydney
Horror, Come Darkness
Macquarie University, Sydney
Runway (Magazine Feature)
Issue 13, p. 55 - 59
2008
FRENZY
MOP Projects, Sydney
Bent Western
Blacktown Arts Centre, Sydney
Stupid Little Dreamer
Inflight, Hobart
Because I’m Worf it
Linden Arts Centre, Melbourne
Hybrid
Artereal Gallery, Sydney
2006
Shelf Life
MOP Projects, Sydney
Not the Big Picture
Greenhill Gallery, Adelaide
2005
First Degree
Chrissie Cotter Gallery, Sydney
Punch
MOP Projects, Sydney