Paul Trefry
In 1986 on completion of a Graphic Design Course at Randwick TAFE NSW Paul travelled to England. He then spent the remainder of the year working at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, Bob Keen’s Workshop at Pinewood Studios and with Ron Mueck.
The experience proved to be a turning point in Paul’s career, the new direction – film and television and the manufacture of animatronics and models. At 20 years of age, this invaluable opportunity prompted Paul in 1987 to start his own company Creature NFX Workshop.
Paul has produced work for Australian feature films as well as international projects that have taken him all over the world, working closely with film directors James Cameron, Angelina Jolie, Russell Crowe, Ridley Scott and Baz Lurhmann.
After 34 years in the industry Paul delved into the world of fine art. He now draws on the skills developed and honed from his business practice creating hyper-realistic models of people and animals and the knowledge of playing with scale and applies these to his art practice. Inspiration from his time spent with Ron Mueck in 1986 is constantly drawn upon.
Numerous articles have been published on Paul’s practice and his passion for the arts. This passion and ability is reflected in his CV and the notable prizes and awards he has either won or been a finalist in.
Today Paul is revered as a distinguished and internationally recognised self-taught hyper realistic artist whose practice encompasses three dimensional works. Many of his works can be found internationally in private collections.
Artist CV
Solo Exhibitions
2020 Flesh for Thought, The Wellington Gallery, Sydney
Awards
2023 Finalist 15th ARC Salon
2022 Winner Lethbridge 20000
2022 People’s Choice Winner Tom Bass Prize
2020 Finalist 15th ARC Salon
2020 Finalist Salon Des refuses
2020 Finalist and People’s Choice in the Tom Bass Prize
2017 Finalist and People’s Choice in the Incinerator Prize
2017 Finalist Wynne Prize, Art Gallery of New South Wales
2016 Finalist The Blake Prize
2015 Finalist Celeste Prize
2015 Finalist and People’s Choice in the Salon Des Refuses
2014 Winner of Mixed media category in The International Art Contest
2013 Winner Sculpture Darling Park Exhibition
2013 Finalist Salon Des Refuses
2012 Finalist Sculptures by the Sea
2009 Finalist Sculptures by the Sea
Group Exhibitions
2022 Traffic Jam Galleries
2021 Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival
2021 Giant Gallery Bournemouth UK
2021 European Museum of Modern Art
2021 Big Medicine, Giant gallery Bournemouth UK
2021 ARC International Salon, Sothebys New York City
2020 Finalist 15th ARC Salon
2020 Finalist Salon Des refuses
2020 Finalist and People’s Choice in the Tom Bass Prize
2019 Toorak Village Sculpture Exhibition
2017 Finalist and People’s Choice in the Incinerator Prize
2017 Finalist Wynne Prize, Art Gallery of New South Wales
2016 Finalist The Blake Prize
2015 Finalist Celeste Prize
2015 Finalist and People’s Choice in the Salon Des Refuses
2015 Mornington Peninsular Regional Gallery
2014 Richard Martin Gallery
2014 Kings College exhibition
2013 Kings College exhibition
2013 Richard Martin Gallery
2013 Winner Sculpture Darling Park Exhibition
2013 Finalist Salon Des Refuses
2012 Finalist Sculptures by the Sea
2010 Brenda May Gallery
2009 Finalist Sculptures by the Sea
