About
b. 1989 Western Sydney
Lives and works in Melbourne

Carissa Karamarko is an emerging artist based in Melbourne, Australia, whose practice is defined by a relentless pursuit of exploration and evolution. Carissa’s work spans the investigation of cultural narratives, history, the complexities of interpersonal relationships and the intangible aspects of human nature. Through her art, Carissa investigates personal histories, how they overlap with our present and how they might inform our future selves. 

Initially focused on traditional still life painting, Carissa’s art has naturally journeyed into abstraction in recent years. Primarily working with oil paint, Carissa’s recent exhibitions have seen her integrate a wider range of materials and processes, allowing her to add depth and variety to her pursuit of storytelling. 

Carissa is heavily influenced by Abstract Expressionism. With this in mind, she has worked to incorporate the use of generous mark-making and a language of colour in her art. The performative approach to painting, synonymous with the ideals of this genre also resonates deeply with the relationship music has to Carissa’s studio practice.

Carissa is currently represented by Saint Cloche in Sydney and Modern Times in Melbourne. She has been a finalist in numerous art prizes including the Hawkesbury Art Prize (2021) Geelong Contemporary Art Award (2018), and the Mosman Art Award (2018).  

Exhibitions

Solo
2023 Giocare, Saint Cloche, Sydney
2022 Molten, Saint Cloche, Sydney
2021 Pied-a-Terre, Saint Cloche, Sydney
2019 After Me, The Flood, Saint Cloche, Sydney

Group
2023 Memory Palace, Modern Times, selected for Craft Contemporary Program, Melbourne
2022 A Gentle Unwinding, Modern Times, Melbourne
2021 Grotto, Saint Cloche, Sydney
2021 Incognito Art Show, The Verona Gallery, Sydney
2020 Secret Garden, Saint Cloche, Sydney
2020 Showroom X Art Annex, collaboration with Saint Cloche, Online
2020 Holiday Dreaming, Saint Cloche, Sydney
2020 Sideways after 43, Side Gallery, Brisbane
2019 Art Money Next Booth, curated by Georgia Hobbs, Sydney Contemporary
2019 Memento, Saint Cloche, Sydney
2019 Indoor Garden, Purple Noon Gallery, Freemans Reach, NSW
2018 Casa, Saint Cloche, Sydney
2018 Chez Nous, GU Film House, Adelaide

Awards
2023 Fisher’s Ghost Award Finalist, Campbelltown Arts Centre, NSW 
2022  Arts In The Valley Finalist, Kangaroo Valley, NSW 
2021  Hawkesbury Art Prize Finalist, Hawkesbury, NSW 
2020  Waverley Art Prize Finalist, Waverley Woollahra Council, NSW 
2019  Waverley Art Prize Finalist, Waverley Woollahra Council, NSW  
2018  Muswellbrook Art Prize Finalist, Muswellbrook, NSW 
2018  Geelong Contemporary Art Prize Finalist, Geelong, VIC 
2018  Mosman Art Prize Finalist, Mosman, NSW 
2018  Arts In The Valley Finalist, Kangaroo Valley, NSW

Selected Media
2023 InStyle Australia Giocare exhibition article 
2022  Hunter & Folk Molten exhibition article
2022  House & Garden Magazine, featured painting
2020  Art + Edit Magazine Q&A 
2020  RUSSH Launch of Showroom X Art Annex article
2019  Art Almanac, After me, the flood exhibition feature