Circe, 2025

Myth and story can help us to understand who we are and how we might reimagine ourselves and the world. This painting is a prompt for re-enchantment, inner reflection, story-making, and renewed relationship with the Land. Informed by author Madeline Miller’s retelling of the myth of Circe, this painting offers a re-visioning of the so-called ‘Witch of Aeaea’, not as a villain but as complex, tender, and powerful. Her journey into self-discovery and reciprocal relationship with Nature resonates as an archetype for reclaiming one’s voice and magic.

Claire Lefebvre (she/her) lives and works on Wurundjeri Land in Naarm/Melbourne, australia. She has held numerous solo exhibitions in Melbourne, Regional Victoria and Sydney since 2O13, and has been included in group exhibitions in Melbourne, Albany (WA), Regional Victoria and Sydney since 2OO9. She holds a Masters of Fine Art (with Distinction) from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (2O14) and a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Painting) from Monash University (2OO6).
Claire has been a finalist in the OMNIA Art Prize, Hornsby Art Prize, Albany Art Prize, and M Collection Award and in 2O14 won the RMIT Alumni Award. She has completed directed and self-directed artist residencies in Barcelona (ESP), Naarm / Melbourne (AUS), Merimbula (AUS) and most recently was Artist-in-Residence and program participant with collaborator Zoltan Fecso for the Winter Wild Festival in Apollo Bay (AUS) in 2O21 and 2O22. In 2O23 Claire and Zoltan launched their ongoing project ‘What Artists Eat’. Her latest solo exhibition “Mythic Ground: New Stories for Old Lands”debuted in August 2025.