Representational Art

The variety of approaches to modern representational art is enormous and almost as diverse as the history of art itself. In painting, representation ranges from Photorealism at one end of the spectrum to almost abstract (like Pablo Picasso’s Analytic Cubism) at the other. For much of the 20th century, representational and figurative painting was largely ignored by the Western avant-garde, but the course changed with the 1980s emergence of painters like Anselm Kiefer & Jean-Michel Basquiat.

A collection of original representational art and paintings for sale from SOHO’s online gallery. – Viewings available from our Sydney Art Galleries. 

Original canvas artworks from talented Australian artists

Featured artists: Gino Campagnaro, James Willebrant, Ann Skelly, Phil Stallard & Peter Allen-Ankins.

Explore our collection of representational abstract art, landscape paintings and canvas artworks from exciting Australian artists through our online gallery.

Contemporary Realism

There's a particular pleasure in recognising something real in a painting — a familiar pose, a place, a moment — rendered not as a copy but through someone else's eye. That's the appeal contemporary realism has held onto even as abstraction has dominated so much of contemporary art: it rewards a second look, and a third, without ever losing the thing that made you stop in the first place.

Two painters anchor this collection: Gino Campagnaro, known for atmospheric pool and water scenes rendered with a strong sense of light and reflection, and Geoff Coleman, whose work spans swimming-pool interiors, homesteads and figures with a similarly grounded, observational eye. The collection also includes desert landscapes and animal studies from other represented artists. (Contemporary realism, in this context, means the work is rendered with recognisable, real-world accuracy — architecture, florals, landscapes — rather than abstracted or purely stylised. It's a different category from figurative work, which focuses on the human form and face.)

Our Dreams Left Floating - 300x100cm — more by Gino Campagnaro →



a horse - 92x76cm — more by Geoff Coleman →

Sizes range from intimate 76x92cm studies to large 300x100cm statement pieces, with prices from around $3,400 to $23,000.

SOHO Galleries has been Sydney's home for original Australian art for over 35 years, with delivery and installation available nationwide.

If you're interested in any contemporary realist artwork, contact us today.

Contemporary Realism FAQ
What is contemporary realism? It's painting that depicts a recognisable, real-world subject without needing to be photorealistic — brushwork, colour choices and composition can still be loose, expressive or stylised while the subject remains clearly identifiable.
Is contemporary realism a good investment? Original works by established, actively exhibiting Australian painters — as opposed to prints or reproductions — are the pieces most likely to hold or grow in value over time.
Can these paintings be viewed in person before buying? Yes — our Sydney gallery in Woollahra displays a rotating selection; contact us to arrange a viewing.