Australian Women Artists

The Podcast

Ep. 15    Virginia Cuppaidge

Virginia Cuppaidge stands as a significant figure in contemporary abstract painting, whose work was formed in Australia and then blossomed in New York where she moved to be in the epicentre of abstract art. 

We talked about arriving in NY in 1969 and being wide eyed for a year. Taking it all in. She was surrounded by the works of Rothko, Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and Lee Krasner. It was an enormously influential time for a 26-year-old from Brisbane.

Virginia's paintings are characterised by their luminous colour fields, ethereal atmospheric effects, and beautiful handling of space. Her distinctive use of acrylic paint—applied in thin, transparent layers (at times 40 layers!) — creates a sense of depth and radiance that invites contemplation.

Over her five-decade career, Virginia has exhibited widely in prestigious galleries and museums across the United States and Australia. Her work resides in major collections including the National Gallery of Australia, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York.

After spending nearly fifty years in New York's vibrant art scene, Virginia returned to Newcastle Australia in 2008, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a unique artistic perspective. And I caught up with her in her Newcastle studio. 

And her work and innovation continues. Virginia has an exhibition currently at the Maitland Regional Gallery until 22 June 2025.

Images:

                  1               Lyon, 1972 synthetic polymer paint on canvas                  1985hx3060wx40d

                  2               Bellegreen 1972 acrylic on canvas 200x305

                  3               Big Blue 1972 acrylic on canvas 200x305

                  4              The Big Orange, 1972, acrylic on canvas, 200 x 305cm

                  5               Californian Dream 1975 acrylic on canvas 200x305

                  6               Skyspace Moonlight 2023, acrylic on canvas, 40x90

                  7               Skyspace Desert Moon 2023, acrylic on canvas 40x90