Nathan Paddison
Born in Villawood, Sydney, Australia, Nathan Paddison discovered his passion for painting later in life, creating his first work at the age of 35. Although he studied art during his school years, he initially disliked painting and did not pursue it seriously. Creativity, however, runs in his family—both of his grandmothers were involved in crafts and decorative painting, subtly shaping his artistic path.
Paddison works with brushes and spray cans, occasionally using unconventional tools such as BBQ skewers to scratch into the paint. His vibrant contemporary figurative works are characterized by bold color, playful energy, and a sense of optimism. In stark contrast to a past marked by gang violence and 13 years in prison, his art celebrates joy, transformation, and resilience. Each piece serves as both an escape and a reflection of the profound changes he has made in his life.
Now based in the coastal town of Port Stephens, north of Sydney, Paddison relocated to build a brighter future. A devoted father to two daughters and a father figure to two stepdaughters, his family remains a central source of inspiration.
His professional career began in 2021 with Studio Gallery Group in Australia, where he initially exhibited abstract works before evolving into the colorful, contemporary style for which he is now known. That same year, he won the People’s Choice Award at the Kilgour Prize and was a two-time finalist in the Lester Prize for Portraiture.
Paddison’s work has achieved international recognition in a remarkably short time. His paintings have appeared on the secondary market at Sotheby’s and Christie’s and have been showcased at major art fairs including Art Miami and Art Busan. He has held solo exhibitions in Philadelphia, Taipei, Seoul, Beirut, Madrid, and Sydney, with notable shows at Atelier Aki in Seoul and 333 Gallery in Taipei. His work has also been exhibited at the Art Gallery of Western Australia and in a museum in Taiwan.
Represented globally across the United States, Spain, Israel, Taiwan, South Korea, South Africa, Lebanon, Germany, Hong Kong, and Australia, Paddison was represented by Morton Contemporary from 2021 to 2023 and has worked with Guy Hepner since 2022. Through bold color and expressive form, his art celebrates hope, renewal, and the transformative power of creativity.