Kym Cunningham (Latter) is an award-winning, Fraser Coast based artist who makes contemporary sculptures from recycled and unconventional materials. She also owns Happy Creative Classes, a Maryborough-based art studio offering weekly classes and workshops that encourage creativity, fun and experimentation, regardless of age and ability.
Although Kym’s always been creative and studied art at university, a 20yr career in IT project management and motherhood meant she didn’t really have time for art until just recently.
In 2018 Kym moved from chaotic Sydney to the relaxed country town of Maryborough QLD; it’s here she found her artistic voice. Over the past 7 years Kym has made creativity a priority and part of her daily routine; now she can’t imagine life any other way.
Kym’s artworks are heavily influenced by the world around her… the unpredictable and ever-changing shapes and markings of her wild and free garden; the places she travels, her life experiences and human emotions.
Kym is very experimental in her art approach and loves to try different styles and techniques, however key characteristics of her sculptures include layers of intricate hand cut cardboard elements, unusual colour combinations and nature inspired shapes merged with human emotions in an abstract way.
Kym’s sculptures are an outlet, they allow her to express emotion and process thoughts without the need for words. Kym hopes those who encounter her creations find them visually stunning and emotionally powerful… and maybe for a brief moment spark contemplation, connection, and a renewed sense of wonder about the world we live in.
Education: 1996 James Cook University, Bachelor of Visual Arts (Graphic Design)
Awards
2024 Finalist (3D), Sculpture On The Edge (SOTE), Flaxton QLD
2024 1st Prize (3D) – Mary Valley Art Festival, Imbil QLD
2024 Finalist (3D), Du Rietz Art Awards, Gympie QLD
2024 Highly Commended (Sculpture), Annual Members Art Exhibition, Maryborough QLD
2024 1st Prize (Sculpture), Kenilworth ArtsFest, Kenilworth QLD
2024 1st Prize (Overall), Transport (Members Competition/Exhibition) – Maryborough Art Society, Maryborough QLD
2023 Finalist (3D), Sculpture On The Edge (SOTE), Flaxton QLD
2023 Finalist (3D), Du Rietz Art Awards, Gympie QLD
2023 Highly Commended (Sculpture), Annual Members Art Exhibition, Maryborough QLD
2023 Highly Commended (Abstract), Fraser Coast Ag Show, Maryborough QLD
2022 Highly Commended, Heroes & Villains Exhibition, Maryborough QLD
2021 1st Prize (Abstract), Fraser Coast Agriculture Show, Maryborough QLD
2021 1st Prize (Sculpture), Fraser Coast Agriculture Show, Maryborough QLD
2016 Finalist, Clearwater Sculpture Prize, Queanbeyan NSW
2016 Finalist, ACMD Acquisitive Art Prize, Fitzroy VIC
Group Exhibitions
2024
- Sculpture On The Edge (SOTE) – Flaxton Gardens, Flaxton QLD
- Waste To Arts Exhibition – Gatakers Artspace, Maryborough QLD
- Du Rietz Art Awards, Gympie QLD
- Mary Valley Art Festival, Imbil QLD
- Annual Members Art Exhibition – Maryborough Art Society, Maryborough QLD
- Kenilworth ArtsFest, Kenilworth QLD
- Radiant Objects Exhibition – Gatakers Artspace, Maryborough QLD
- Bees & Honey (Members Competition/Exhibition) – Maryborough Art Society, Maryborough QLD
- Transport (Members Competition/Exhibition) – Maryborough Art Society, Maryborough QLD
2023
- Sculpture On The Edge (SOTE) – Flaxton Gardens, Flaxton QLD
- Waste To Arts Exhibition – Gatakers Artspace, Maryborough QLD
- Du Rietz Art Awards, Gympie QLD
- Mary Valley Art Festival, Imbil QLD
- Annual Members Art Exhibition – Maryborough Art Society, Maryborough QLD
- Fraser Coast Agriculture Show, Maryborough QLD
2022
- Waste To Arts Exhibition – Gatakers Artspace, Maryborough QLD
- Bundaberg Art Prize, Bundaberg QLD
- 75th Annual Art Exhibition – Maryborough Art Society, Maryborough QLD
- Heroes & Villains Exhibition – Maryborough QLD
2021
- Waste To Arts Exhibition – Gatakers Artspace, Maryborough QLD
- Bundaberg Art Prize, Bundaberg QLD
- Mary Valley Art Festival, Imbil QLD
- Fraser Coast Agriculture Show, Maryborough QLD
2020
- Bundaberg Art Prize, Bundaberg QLD
- Females To The Front – Lewis Gallery, Hervey Bay QLD
2019
- Waste To Arts Exhibition – Gatakers Artspace, Maryborough QLD
- Bundaberg Art Prize, Bundaberg QLD
- Mary Valley Art Festival, Imbil QLD
- Draw The Shades – Fraser Coast Art Collective, Hervey Bay QLD
2018
- Waste To Arts Exhibition – Gatakers Artspace, Maryborough QLD
- Mary Valley Art Festival, Imbil QLD
- Fraser Coast Agriculture Show, Maryborough QLD
2016
- Clearwater Sculpture Prize, Queanbeyan NS
- ACMD Acquisitive Art Prize, Melbourne VIC
Solo Exhibitions
2022
- Isolation Beetles Project – Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, Bundaberg QLD
- Isolation Beetles Project – Gatakers Artspace, Maryborough QLD