ABOUT
Ross Morgan is a South Australian fine artist whose practice centers on painting and drawing as forms of visual storytelling. Based in Adelaide, his work explores narrative, memory, place, and atmosphere through imagined environments, symbolic objects, and character-driven imagery. Drawing on his early experiences growing up in the regional Mid North of South Australia, his practice is informed by a fascination with rural landscapes, abandoned structures, local histories, and the quiet poetics of overlooked things.
Morgan completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts at the University of South Australia in 2000 and has since developed an independent studio practice spanning more than two decades. He has exhibited extensively in solo and group exhibitions and has been recognized through a number of significant awards and prizes, including selection as a semi-finalist in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize (2014), being a three-time finalist in the Kennedy Art Prize (2017, 2018, 2021), and winning the John Shaw Neilson Acquisitive Art Prize (2015).
At the core of Morgan’s practice is an ongoing interest in the narrative potential of the image. His works are often conceived as interconnected series, where individual paintings and drawings function as fragments within larger psychological, symbolic, or fictional worlds. Through this approach, he creates immersive visual experiences that invite contemplative reading and open-ended interpretation.
Alongside his exhibiting practice, Morgan has undertaken commissioned projects across film, publishing, and private collections. His interest in visual narrative has also extended into illustration and picture book development, further enriching the storytelling dimension of his studio work.
Morgan is currently developing new bodies of work that continue his exploration of narrative painting while expanding the relationship between fine art, character, and imagined space.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Visual Arts
University of South Australia, 1998–2000
SELECTED AWARDS & PRIZES
2025 – Honour Winner, SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards, Australia, New Zealand and Oceania Division, Glow
2025 – Finalist, Picture Book Party Illustrator Showcase
2025 – Highly Commended, SCBWI Australian Picture Book Illustrator Award (Established Illustrator)
2024 – Winner, Forevability Book Awards, Category 1, The Gargoyle
2023 – Highly Commended, SCBWI Australian Picture Book Illustrator Award (Emerging Illustrator)
2023 – Shortlisted, Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Award, Hedgehog the Wonder Dog
2022 – Highly Commended, SCBWI Australian Picture Book Illustrator Award (Emerging Illustrator)
2022 – Finalist, Bluethumb Art Prize
2021 – Shortlisted, SCBWI Australian Picture Book Illustrator Award (Emerging Illustrator)
2021 – Finalist, Kennedy Art Prize
2021 – Finalist, Bluethumb Art Prize
2020 – Finalist, Bluethumb Art Prize
2019 – Winner, Raising Literacy Australia Emerging Author and Illustrator Mentoring Project
2018 – Finalist, Kennedy Art Prize
2017 – Finalist, Kennedy Art Prize
2016 – Winner, Best Social Comment, Cathedral Art Prize and Exhibition
2016 – Finalist, Bluethumb Art Prize
2015 – Winner, John Shaw Neilson Acquisitive Art Prize
2014 – Semi-finalist, Doug Moran National Portrait Prize
2012 – Finalist, The Advertiser Business SA Contemporary Art Prize
2011 – Merit Award, Adelaide Cathedral Art Show
2011 – Finalist, The Advertiser Business SA Contemporary Art Prize
2010 – Winner, People’s Choice Award, Adelaide Cathedral Art Show
2010 – Winner, Best Abstract Expression, Adelaide Cathedral Art Show
2010 – Merit Award, Adelaide Cathedral Art Show
2005 – Winner, Packers Choice, Prospect Portrait Prize, Prospect Gallery
2005 – Finalist, Prospect Portrait Prize, Prospect Gallery
2005 – Finalist, Whyalla Art Prize
2003 – Winner, Emerging Young Artist Award, Christianity: An Australian Perspective, Port Pirie Regional Art Gallery
1997 – Winner, Elsa Chilvers Scholarship, Saint Mark’s College, Port Pirie
1997 – Merit Award, Outstanding Achievement in Art at a Senior Secondary Level, Saint Mark’s College, Port Pirie
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023 – Wonder Dogs, Bluethumb Gallery, Adelaide, SA
2021 – Molly Moores Has a House Like Yours, Book Launch and Exhibition, Bluethumb Gallery, Adelaide, SA
2017 – The Little One Returns, Ross Morgan Gallery & Studio, Adelaide, SA
2017 – Undercover, Ross Morgan Gallery & Studio, Adelaide, SA
2017 – The Art of Ben Hall, Bluethumb Online Gallery HQ, Collingwood, VIC
2016 – The Companion, Ross Morgan Gallery & Studio, Adelaide, SA
2016 – The Architect, Ross Morgan Gallery & Studio, Adelaide, SA
2015 – The Little One, Ross Morgan Gallery & Studio, Adelaide, SA
2015 – The Diver, The Chicken and The Fox, Ross Morgan Gallery & Studio, Adelaide, SA
2014 – Big and Little, Greg Cooley Wines, Clare Valley, SA
2014 – The Red Book, Ross Morgan Gallery & Studio, Adelaide, SA
2014 – Home, Port Pirie Regional Art Gallery, Port Pirie, SA
2013 – Collect, Ross Morgan Gallery & Studio, Adelaide, SA
2013 – Box of Wonders, Bundaleer Festival, Jamestown, SA
2013 – Diary of Illusions, Ross Morgan Gallery & Studio, Adelaide, SA
2012 – Altitude, Ross Morgan Gallery & Studio, Adelaide, SA
2011 – Toys, Hotel Metropolitan, Adelaide, SA
2011 – Learning to Fly, St Peter’s Cathedral, North Adelaide, SA
2011 – Diary of Illusions, Bundaleer Festival, Jamestown, SA
2009 – Surreal the World Is, Bundaleer Festival, Jamestown, SA
2007 – Ross Morgan 2007 Collection, Premier Art Gallery, Adelaide, SA
2007 – Storyboards from the Surreal, Bundaleer Festival, Jamestown, SA
2005 – Twenty-Five, Belalie Art Gallery, Jamestown, SA
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2021 – Kennedy Art Prize, Royal South Australian Society of Arts, Adelaide, SA
2018 – Kennedy Art Prize, Royal South Australian Society of Arts, Adelaide, SA
2017 – Kennedy Art Prize, Fisher Jeffries Building, Adelaide, SA
2015 – John Shaw Neilson Acquisitive Art Prize, Penola High School, Penola, SA
2015 – Wonderwalls Festival, Port Adelaide, SA
2014 – MR. IST, Trims Building, Adelaide, SA
2011 – Art for All, Artistic License Gallery and Studio, North Adelaide, SA
2009 – Real, Surreal, Still and Incredible, St Peter’s Cathedral, North Adelaide, SA
2008 – Organic Matter, Premier Art Gallery, Adelaide, SA
2007 – Creative Forces, Artistic License Gallery and Studio, North Adelaide, SA
2007 – Christianity: An Australian Perspective, Port Pirie Regional Art Gallery, Port Pirie, SA
2006 – World Vision Art Auction, Artistic License Gallery and Studio, North Adelaide, SA
2006 – Contemporary Creatives, Artistic License Gallery and Studio, North Adelaide, SA
2006 – ONE, Pembroke School Exhibition, Drill Hall, Torrens Parade Grounds, Adelaide, SA
2005 – Prospect Portrait Prize, Prospect Gallery, Nailsworth, SA
2005 – Whyalla Art Prize, Middleback Theatre, Whyalla, SA
2005 – Urban Art Show, Adelaide University, Adelaide, SA
2005 – Second Birthday Exhibition, Artistic License Gallery and Studio, North Adelaide, SA
2003 – Christianity: An Australian Perspective, Port Pirie Regional Art Gallery, Port Pirie, SA
2000 – Hyphen: Applied & Visual Arts Graduate & Honours Exhibition, Miller Anderson Building, Adelaide, SA
2000 – Christianity: An Australian Dimension, Port Pirie Regional Art Gallery, Port Pirie, SA
2000 – 20 x 20 Portrait in Landscape Exhibition, South Australian School of Art, Underdale, SA
1996 – Port Pirie Art Prize, Port Pirie Regional Art Gallery, Port Pirie, SA
PUBLICATIONS – PICTURE BOOKS
2024 – Glow
Written and illustrated by Ross Morgan
Walker Books Australia
2024 – Zoom
Written by Dannika Patterson, illustrated by Ross Morgan
Ford Street Publishing
2023 – The Gargoyle
Written by Zana Fraillon, illustrated by Ross Morgan
Hachette Australia
2023 – Hedgehog the Wonder Dog
Written by Dannika Patterson, illustrated by Ross Morgan
Ford Street Publishing
2020 – Molly Moores Has a House Like Yours
Written by Kaliah Tsakalidis, illustrated by Ross Morgan
Little Book Press / Raising Literacy Australia
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2022 – Brisbane Writers Festival, Author-Illustrator Online Series, Episode 10
2022 – Adelaide Festival of Children’s Books, Guest Presenter, Hackham East Primary School, SA
2022 – Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, South Australian Winter Gathering, Guest Online Presentation
2007–2018 – Visual Art Assistant, Pembroke School, Kensington Park, SA
2016 – Artwork featured in The Legend of Ben Hall film, final credits character portraits, Melbourne, VIC
2016 – Official hand-drawn film poster, The Legend of Ben Hall, Melbourne, VIC
2014 – Commissioned artwork presentation, 50th Anniversary 4th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment Gala Dinner, Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, SA
2011 – Live Art Performance, Netball SA Gala Night, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, SA
2007 – One of three artists selected to paint a portrait of Jane Doyle for the Loreto Spring Art Exhibition, Adelaide, SA
2006 – Artwork featured in Twin Rivers film, final credits character portraits, Adelaide, SA
2006 – Street Art Performance and Silent Auction, Adelaide University LIFE IMPACT and Open Day Promotion, Adelaide, SA
2006 – Invited artist, ONE, Pembroke School Exhibition, including artist talk and published catalogue, Drill Hall, Torrens Parade Grounds, Adelaide, SA