Kim Nelson (1958-2015) Symbolist painter

Australian painter Kim Nelson lives and works in the foothills of the Brindabella mountain range, near the Australian National Capital, Canberra.

He has been a finalist in the Black Swan Prize, the Country Arts Energy Prize, Shirley Hannan National Portrait Prize amongst many others.

He has completed work for UNICEF, and completed major commissions for media mogul Rupert Murdoch. His work can be found gracing the walls of such headquarters as News Corp., New York and the Australia High Commission in London.

In 2013 Nelson was named Yass Valley Shire 'Citizen of the Year' in the Australia Day honours for his work in the community and specifically for the YASSarts initiative.

Though his work can be quite diverse he identifies most strongly with symbolism and the spiritual, drawing much inspiration from the great works of the past. "I seek not to emulate the styles and techniques of the past, but to reinterpret and develop them in the present and for the future".

Kim Nelson is committed to using his talent in assisting others, having gifted art and design to many major and minor organizations and charities such as UNICEF Australia, Hope for the Children (Rotary International), AMACC (Afghan Mother and Child Care), Koomarri Canberra, The Smith Family, NSW Volunteer Bushfire Brigade, CanAssist along with numerous local and amateur groups. He also, from time to time, still curates exhibitions on behalf of others and is the creator of the regional arts website YASSarts.