Peter Churcher

Peter Churcher is one of the leading figurative painters from Australia now living and working in Barcelona, Spain where he has been practicing the past 20 years.

Born in Brisbane in 1964, he is the son of Betty Churcher, former Director of the National Gallery of Australia.

He completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting at the Prahran School of Art and Design and pursued further studies in Melbourne. His first solo exhibition was held in 1994, marking the beginning of a distinguished career.

Churcher's work is represented in major public, corporate, and private collections throughout Australia and internationally, including the National Gallery of Australia and the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. He is represented in Australia by Australian Galleries in Melbourne and Sydney. He is also represented in Europe by Galerie Thomas Fuchs in Stuttgart, Germany, and by Bnude Art Gallery in Barcelona, Spain.

Specialized in the technique of oil on canvas and inspired by the Baroque tradition, Churcher seeks to create paintings that are both vivid and timeless, bridging classical sensibilities with a contemporary vision. The depiction of the body lies at the heart of his practice, examined through both intimate portraiture and complex group figure narratives.

In 2004, he came to Barcelona to undertake a three-month studio residency, where he finally found his desired situation in terms of both living and working. He then made the decision to move his practice from Australia to Spain.

Since 2006, he has resided and worked solely in Barcelona while continuing to exhibit in his home country, as well as expanding his artistic presence across Europe.

Peter continues researching the expressive potential of the human form, producing works that balance heritage with a fresh engagement with the world around him.