The rolling hills, deep valleys and tiered waterfalls of Victoria’s West Gippsland region are where Phillip Edwards first developed his affinity with the natural environment. Now based within the vibrant Daylesford arts community, Phillip’s connection to the great outdoors is ever present in his dynamic landscape work.

“When I hike in back country, I’m totally present in a contemplative way,” he explains. “For me, my paintings capture that invisible energy behind all things… A mystical encounter with beauty.”

Having dedicated the past 30 years to his art practice, Phillip has held multiple solo shows and participated in many group exhibitions. Applying paint in multiple layers with deliberate brushstrokes and colour flows, his expressive large-scale paintings map out natural forms and take viewers on a visceral journey into the great Australian outdoors.

As a 2018 finalist of the prestigious Wynne Prize, hosted by the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Phillip was awarded the Trustees Watercolour Prize. He has also been a finalist in the Calleen Art Award, Flow Contemporary Watercolour Prize and the Lester Prize for portraiture. In addition to painting, Phillip creates sculptures from timber, steel and found objects, his deep connection to nature apparent in each piece.