Oil Painting

Laura Oczos

Laura Oczos, born in 1984 in Newcastle and currently residing in Wollongong, NSW, is a painter whose practice centers around creating whimsical landscapes that are deeply autobiographical.

Artist Profile

Laura Oczos, born in 1984 in Newcastle and currently residing in Wollongong, NSW, is a painter whose practice centers around creating whimsical landscapes that are deeply autobiographical. Drawing inspiration from the specific places she inhabits in her daily life, Oczos paints from memory, exploring the dynamic and fluid nature of recollection.

Her work blends past and present experiences, often combining multiple points of view to capture the spirit of a moment rather than striving for an exact likeness. Oczos’ landscapes reflect how memory and meaning evolve through retelling and remembering, infusing each piece with a sense of nostalgia and personal history. Her unique approach results in paintings that are not just visual representations, but emotional journeys through time.

Her work has been collected both nationally and internationally and has exhibited extensively across Australia. She is a multiple-time prize finalist; including the Paddington Art Prize (2024) Lethbridge 20000 (2021, 2023), Lethbridge Landscape Prize (2024) and the National Contemporary Art Prize (2021, 2022, 2023).

Artist Interview

What medium do you work with, and why have you chosen them?

I work primarily with acrylic paint, washes, ink, and collage, creating the final pattern layer with paint pens. Although I always envision the finished piece, I embrace the unpredictability of washes, allowing the process to unfold naturally. The materials I use create complex layers, and I’m particularly drawn to the contrast between opaque and transparent elements, as well as the transformative effects of coloured glazes. The unique interactions between different media bring unexpected results, which I find invigorating. Once I start seeing how the painting is taking shape, I become more hands-on, manipulating the media by wiping away paint, masking, or using various tools to develop patterns and textures.

How does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?

The process of erasure is a key element in my final painting. I begin by painting forms from memory that define the landscape, continuously adjusting them until the piece feels complete. Working from memory allows me to capture a more personal, intuitive impression of the landscape, which influences the painting’s evolution. Each layer—whether added or erased—contributes to the depth of the finished work. I’m particularly drawn to abstracting nature, focusing on form and colour to convey an essence of the landscape rather than a literal depiction.

Can you tell us a little more about your creative working environment/studio?

My home studio is my sanctuary, and I’m definitely protective of it—no one else comes in! It’s a small space, but just right for working on multiple pieces at once, and it's filled with things that inspire me. I’m always listening to audio books while I paint, so there's a steady stream of stories in the background. Things can get pretty chaotic in there until I need a mental reset, and then I'll take a break for a big cleanup.