Hugh Van Schaick (b. 1992) is an artist living and working on Gadigal and Wangal land, Australia. His practice, centred in painting and drawing, focuses on abstracted human bodies to examine ideas around grief, loss, care, intimacy and vulnerability. These cropped figurative forms, in varying degrees of ambiguity, invite slowing down; allowing space to question what is being presented, and to open up more active ways of observing.

In his recent works, he is presenting close intimacies that feel at once tender and warm but also somewhat uncomfortable, questioning the inherent violence of sharing vulnerability - whether with loved ones, friends, or the wider public. They ask us to connect intimately with ourselves and reconsider our relationship with each other.

Van Schaick is an advocate of sharing creativity as a way to process our world and learn valuable critical thinking and empathy skills. He has a range of experience working with children and varied communities, and is a facilitator of workshops and programs which encourage observation, contemplation and creation. 

CV

Solo Exhibitions
2026 - Upcoming exhibition (May), China Heights Gallery, Sydney

2022 - Bodies of us, China Heights Gallery, Sydney
2019 - Cicada, Scratch Art Space, Sydney
2017 - Introducing Hugh Van Schaick, Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, Sydney

Group Exhibitions
2025 - Works On Paper, China Heights Gallery, Sydney
2021 - Hugh Van Schaick & Zephyr Larkin, China Heights Gallery, Sydney
2020 - Bushfire Silent Auction, China Heights Gallery, Sydney
2019 - Works On Paper, China Heights Gallery, Sydney
2019 - 1919, Galerie pompom, Sydney
2017 - Untitled, Traffic Jam Galleries, Sydney
2016 - The Other Art Fair, COMMUNE, Sydney
2016 - RAW: Reveal, Manning Bar, Sydney
2015 - Belle ArtStart, Alexandria, Sydney

Awards and Prizes
2019 - The Hornsby Art Prize, Sydney - Finalist
2019 - The Hawkesbury Art Prize, Sydney - Finalist
2018 - The Hornsby Art Prize, Sydney - Finalist
2017 - Myself Prize, Fortitude Valley, QLD - Finalist
2017 - The Hornsby Art Prize, Sydney - Finalist
2017 - The Shirl National Youth Portrait Prize, Bega Valley Regional Gallery - Finalist
2016 - The Hornsby Art Prize, Sydney - Winner of Emerging Artist and People’s Choice Awards

Residencies

2024 - Newbridge Print Studio, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
2023 - Butoh in Nature with Vangeline with Intercultural Roots, North Yorkshire, UK

Education
2018 - Graduate Diploma of Fine Arts, The National Art School
2013 - Bachelor of Fine Arts, UNSW College of Fine Art