Alexandra Kimonides is a Melbourne-based painter whose practice spans more than six decades, shaped by a deep commitment to both making and teaching art. She began painting in the early 1960s, studying art at University High School during a period where free expression and experimentation were actively encouraged. Among her peers at the time was performance artist Stelarc, and Chris Croft, and the culture of bold exploration left a lasting imprint on her early semi-abstract works.
Alexandra went on to study traditional painting techniques for five years under Reshid Bey, developing strong foundations in realism through still life, portraiture, landscape, and life drawing. She later completed a Fine Arts Degree at RMIT University (formerly P.I.T.), majoring in painting and drawing, where she was mentored by acclaimed Australian painter Peter Booth. This period further expanded her visual language, strengthening her capacity to move between expressive abstraction and disciplined realism with equal confidence. She also undertook further study at Montsalvat, deepening her engagement with traditional methods and observational practice.
Teaching has been central to Alexandra’s artistic life. She has spent decades as a secondary school art educator and continues to teach today, a role she credits with profoundly shaping her own practice. Through demonstrating techniques, adapting to diverse learning styles, and working across age groups and abilities, she has developed confidence and fluency across a wide range of mediums, approaches, and visual languages. This breadth is reflected in her paintings, which draw on observation, experience, and technical versatility.
Alongside teaching, Alexandra has led painting tours and workshops both locally and internationally, combining studio practice with travel and direct engagement with major art collections. She has presented workshops and demonstrations for numerous groups, including the Heidelberg Artists Society, and continues to share her knowledge through hands-on teaching.
While Alexandra has sold work privately and has completed numerous commissioned portraits over the years, her focus has largely remained on education and studio practice rather than exhibition-driven visibility. This upcoming solo exhibition marks a significant moment — bringing together a lifetime of looking, learning, and painting into a public, retrospective presentation that reflects both her depth of experience and her ongoing curiosity as an artist.
