Singleman’s Hut, 2025

This painting was created during my 2025 Bundanon artist-in-residence, made possible through the generosity of the Bundanon Trust and the William Fletcher Foundation. It reflects my deep artistic impulse to connect with the sights and sounds of the landscape, particularly in response to the visual presence of Singleman’s Hut along the Shoalhaven River. The felt, sensory experience of being present in that space, combined with the shift from suburban scenery to rural, inevitably influenced my subject matter, as it will for many plein-air artists. The residency allowed me to paint more directly and honestly, responding to the atmosphere of a more natural world.

Australian-born Vietnamese artist Tam Cao, trained at the Julian Ashton art school and Florence Academy of Art, excelling in various mediums, particularly pencil, charcoal, and oils, with a focus on drawing from life.

His artwork aims to explore the dynamic between the subject and the artist’s interpretation, drawing inspiration from figurative realism while contextualizing it within modern culture. Through his work, Tam seeks to create a dialogue that bridges traditional techniques and contemporary themes.