Ash Leslie is an abstract painter based on the coast South of Sydney. After nearly a decade in graphic design, Leslie discovered a renewed intensity for painting while on maternity leave with her first daughter.
The work was made in quiet intervals, often in the margins of the day. Early exhibitions in local cafés and businesses met with encouragement, and from these beginnings, a practice took shape: rigorous, intimate, and unmistakably her own.
Recognised across Australia, including finalist selections in the Paddington Art Prize, Flow Art Prize, and Signature Art Prize, Leslie has quickly established herself as a singular voice in contemporary abstraction.
CV
Solo Show ‘Clarity After The Storm’ / Michael Reid Southern Highlands / October 2025
Solo Show ‘Light Source’ / Boom Gallery / July 2025
Solo Show ‘Magical Monotony’ / AK Bellinger Gallery / April 2025
Group Show ‘SCALE’ / Lander-Se / February 2025
Finalist Signature Art Prize / September 2024
Finalist Regional Art Prize / September 2024
Solo Show 'Shadow Memory' / June 2024
Solo Show 'Little By Little' / The Design Files / April 2024
Solo Show 'The Sky's Lullaby' / Saint Cloche / January 2024
Group Show 'Nature Bathing' / Gallery Jones / December 2023
Painting Workshop hosted by Idris Murphy / November 2023
Group Show ‘Friends & Faves’ / The Design Files / October 2023
Finalist ‘Flow Art Prize’ / Wollongong Art Gallery / September 2023
Group Show ‘Modern Love’ / AK Bellinger Gallery / August 2023
Group Show ‘Point to Point’ / The Design Files & Saint Cloche / June 2023
Solo Show ‘Fundamental Needs’ / Saint Cloche / June 2023
Group Show ‘Works On Paper’ / Defiance Gallery / March 2023
Hazelhurst Arts Centre, / Works On Paper Class with Lee Bethel / February 2023
Group Show ‘Summer Show’ / Defiance Gallery / January 2023
Group Show ‘Here On In’ / Brunswick Street Gallery / January 2023
Group Show ‘Feast’ Brunswick Street Gallery / December 2022
Finalist Paddington Art Prize / Gallery Award Winner & recipient of The Nock Art Foundation Queenstown Residency / October 2022
Group Show Hunter & Folk Rainbow Studios / October 2022
Group Show ‘Darlings’ Curatorial Co / December 2021
Solo Show ‘Canvas To Cloth’ / Noel & Gladys / September 2020
Solo Show ‘Colour Story’ / Verb Syndicate / February 2020
Group Show Scarborough Art Fundraiser / 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2025