A Look Inside The World Of Thredbo’s Artist In Residence Zoe Young

If you’ve spent much time in Thredbo, you’re likely to have spotted Zoe’s paintings decorating the walls of the Alpine Hotel, Lounge Bar or Kareela Hutte.

Take a look inside the world behind the artworks of Thredbo’s Artist In Residence Zoe Young.

Growing up on a farm in Thredbo Valley, Zoe spent her youth surrounded by the beauty of the mountains.

These years spent in Alpine Australia continue to influence much of her work with the mountains either being the subject of her work or inspiring the rustic aesthetic.

 

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Today, Zoe is an artist who weaves a compelling narrative through her paintings, seamlessly blending modernist sculptural techniques with portraiture and still life.

Her journey is marked by significant accomplishments including being a four-time Archibald and Sulman finalist, receiving the Portia Geach Women’s Art Prize, Calleen Art Prize, and NSW Women’s Leadership Rural Scholarship plus exhibiting internationally in Los Angeles.

Young is currently represented by the esteemed Philip Bacon Gallery in Queensland and will next exhibit at Melbourne Art Fair with Sophie Gannon Gallery.

 

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A mother of two, Zoe spends lots of time in Thredbo with her family each winter, passing on her love of the mountains to her children. While visiting, she spends time gathering inspiration from her surrounds and working on new paintings.

While she has now become Thredbo’s official Artist In Residence, Zoe has worked with the resort over many years. Initially, she was commissioned on a couple of artistic projects, organically building the connection that has led to her role now.

 

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In 2018, Zoe was to commissioned to create the featured artwork for the MyThredbo Card, a testament to her affiliation with the resort and her unique relationship to the mountains.

Speaking of her MyThredbo painting, Zoe says it is “Inspired by my memory of my Dad, Butch, in the 80’s, so gracefully carving up Dead Horse Gap as he led a group of us through the sparkling gums. Mum would be waiting with a champagne picnic for us all at the end of the adventure, it was always such a magic day”.

One much-loved artwork of Zoe’s you may have spotted in Lounge Bar is a grand portait of Thredbo legend Frank Prihoda. Until his passing in November 2022, Frank was the world’s oldest living former Olympian, long-time Thredbo resident and a muse for Zoe’s work on multiple occasions.

Zoe describes Frank as “The Godfather of all the kids that spent their childhood in Thredbo. My whole life Frank has always had all the time in the world to talk about my art and sit for numerous portraits.”

 

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As Thredbo’s artist in residence, Zoe has created a series of new paintings for the resort this winter.

Keep your eyes peeled and see if you can spot them on the walls while you’re sipping cocktails or enjoying a long lunch!

 

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