Biography

A dedicated and pioneering spirit, Kim Bolitho, was born into the rich earth of rural Victoria, Australia, in 1959. Her early fascination with the layered textures of oil painting led to her acceptance into Adelaide’s art school at the tender age of sixteen—an achievement marking the inception of a lifelong artistic quest. Following a tenure in commercial illustration, Bolitho voyaged beyond Australian shores, amassing a wealth of experience from Bern to Corfu, and immersing herself for a decade in Tokyo's enthralling art scene.

Artistic Philosophy

Kim's work is not merely a blend of East meets West; it is the crystallisation of a deeply studied convergence of philosophies and aesthetics. Every brushstroke is a deliberate act of balance, informed by the serene teachings of Tao, the virtues extolled by the Dalai Lama, and a disciplined yoga practice. Her canvases engage in a dialogue with the quiet intensity in the works of O'Keeffe and Rothko, articulating a language where each spiral and rectangle is weighted with significance, creating a haven for introspection.

Professional Evolution

The textured calligraphic strokes that now characterise Kim's signature technique found their genesis in the discipline of traditional Japanese brush painting. This art form fuelled her commercial creativity, precipitating the celebrated exhibition at Dentsu Ad Gallery in 1989 and group exhibitions at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. The Tokyo years etched a decisive contour in her career, fostering a commercial acumen that runs parallel to her fine art journey.

The dichotomy of stillness and motion permeates Kim’s vision—a nuanced understanding draped across private collections from Greece to Japan, and hallowed by an eminent exhibition in Bilbao, Spain. Her creative narrative has captivated audiences through the lens of her contribution to Pacific Power's award-winning "Painting with Light" commercial, garnering international recognition.

Transitioning from the sprawl of Tokyo to the serenity of Matong, NSW, Kim inhabits spaces steeped in the lore of 1904, immortalising the ephemeral tales of local haunts and koala havens on canvas. Her works serve as an archival touchstone to community and environment, her art is both a witness and an advocate.

Kim's visual essays on presence and absence challenge banality, courting depth in their exploration of environmental narratives. By delving into the threads of philosophical and ecological discourse, she emerges as a steward of the arts capable of narratively and visually investigating her subjects to reveal their soul essence.

For enquiries or to view Kim Bolitho’s collection of available works, please visit the Contact page.