Celtic Ogham symbol symbolising the Oak as a door between worlds.

Recent Work

As diverse as her travels and connections, Julie Williams’ recent work is process focussed and opens a discussion about magical realism, abstraction and a desire to explore different mediums. Her latest artworks, out of her studio collective in Freshwater, Sydney, use reflective light, geometric form and the syncopation of a high key palette to play with abstraction of the landscape and placement of elements to broach the familiar theme of the tension between worlds.

Julie Williams abstract painting of sea waves crashing against rocks and Freshwater ocean pool.

Patterned batik sarong with brown and orange tones hanging outdoors in a rocky area.

Abstract landscape drawing with trees and hills

Julie Williams abstract painting of Freshwater Ocean Pool with numbers on the side, surrounded by green landscape and rocky hills.

Julie Williams abstract landscape painting of Portland cement works.

Watercolor painting of a Banksia plant by Julie Williams, 2022.

Julie Williams batik sarong blowing in the wind, draped over a tree branch, with the Hill End hilly landscape in the background.

Freshwater

An empty ocean pool is a portal to another world. This intense and almost daily interaction with a place, documents the artist’s desire to connect deeply to her Sydney environment of Freshwater on the Northern Beaches. This enquiry has allowed her to follow an authentic expression of present moment experience when outside of Hill End. The placement of the flag pole, cliff lines and other key elements continues to explore the tension between worlds which is intrinsic to Julie’s experience. See more below to access work shown at Salamanca Arts Centre, Hobart, Easter 2025.

Julie Williams Freshwater Ocean Pool monochrome painting depicting a stormy sea with crashing waves, rocky outcrops, and cloudy sky.

Julie Williams abstract painting of Freshwater Ocean Pool with surrounding rocks and a yellow sky.

Julie Williams abstract painting of Freshwater Ocean Pool abstract painting depicting turbulent ocean waves against a rocky shore.

Julie Williams abstract painting of Freshwater Ocean Pool

Julie Williams abstract painting abstract painting featuring bold colors and textured brushstrokes depicting a landscape with a blue and yellow foreground, rocky formation, greenish water, and reddish cliffs in the background under an expressive sky.

Portland

A month long residency in March 2024, Portland culminated in several new works with a continued focus on the pool and also a large chimney as the boundary between worlds. Williams was also able to continue her abstractions of Split Rock in Hill End, read, meditate, walk and draw the Squat Cottage and her surroundings with no interruptions, allowing her to focus on her own experience and expression without a sense of audience.

Julie Williams abstract painting of Portland cement works painting with prominent red and pink brushstrokes, blue and green background

Julie Williams abstract painting of Portland Cement Works abstract painting with industrial buildings, smokestack, and plant. Includes blue, green, and orange colors with flowing lines and textured appearance.

Julie Williams abstract artwork with various colours and shapes in four sections

Julie Williams painting of Portland cement works swimming pool.

Julie WIlliams artist Sketch of an interior room featuring a red armchair, a door, and various furniture outlines. The drawing uses light strokes and minimal color, giving a simple, unfinished appearance.

Julie Williams artist abstract painting with vibrant colors including pink, blue, green, and yellow, featuring expressive brushstrokes and a central pink area.

Celtic Ogham symbol symbolising the Oak as a door between worlds.. Horizontal black line with two vertical supports and a loop on one end.

Hill End

Julie has owned a home and artist studio in Hill End, NSW for many years. Due to her ongoing connection to the people, history and place, the objects and themes engendered by her relationships there continue to inspire her art, even at times when she is not physically present. Williams’ connection to Hill End is absolute and enduring - a place where she can feel truly at home in the landscape.

Julie Williams artist - Artwork depicting a forest with tall, bare trees and an outline of a house in neon yellow lines. The background is a gradient of brown and gray tones, evoking a somber atmosphere.

Julie Williams Artist - abstract artwork of a dark forest with a faint yellow house outline.

Julie Williams Artist - abstract painting with black and white leaf shapes and brown accents, creating a dynamic pattern.

Julie Williams Artist - abstract artwork with overlapping leaf and floral patterns in shades of brown and black, featuring intricate line details.

Julie Williams Artist - abstract painting with overlapping dark brown and black leaves, white background.

Julie Williams Artist - abstract painting with dark, barren trees in the foreground and a church in the distant background, set against a moody sky. Neon yellow outlines of a building overlay the scene, creating a surreal atmosphere.

South East Asia

Julie’s residency and satellite exhibition with Jumaadi and friends during ARTJOG in Indonesia 2015, along with her many exhibitions in Singapore over a five year period expanded her practice. Her passion for textiles led to her silk screen printing and sewing over batik remnants that she was a able to repurpose. Julie was also inspired by her docent experience at NGS, Singapore, guiding artworks from ten countries. She also researched and guided important visiting exhibitions including. Artist and Empire from Tate Britain, Reframing Modernism from Pompidou Centre and Juan Luna from the Philippines.

Julie Williams Artist - vintage image of a person in traditional attire next to a patterned metal gate, featuring an abstract, distressed effect.

Julie Williams Artist - colorful geometric pattern with floral and bird design on a blue background, featuring yellow outlines in various shapes.

Julie Williams Artist - artwork with yellow geometric lines over a textured black and white background, featuring hexagonal and rectangular shapes.

Julie Williams Artist - abstract painting with white, blue, and gradient tones with a vertical line splitting the canvas.

Julie Williams Artist - red geometric pattern on a cream background, featuring interlocking rectangular shapes.

Julie Williams Artist - Geometric pattern overlay on floral artwork with birds and butterflies.