NG Malla
b. Sydney/ Eora, Australia
NG Malla was born in Sydney, Australia, where she lives and works. She is a multidisciplinary artist best known for her urban and domestic landscapes. Her recent work shifts from the venerated media of oil paints to spray paint and airbrushing, combining aspects of street art with the traditional ‘landscape’ painting of suburban Australian architecture. Often monochromatic, with a muted colour palette, her works appear hazy and ethereal, the image dissolving in close proximity but appearing almost photographic at distance.
Home and the residential landscape are a consistent throughline across her practice. She explores both the physical properties of ‘dwelling’ – houses and the experience of residence; as well as the wider ‘homescape’ – from interior spaces to familiar streets and neighbourhoods. Whilst evoking memory her works avoid nostalgic readings of home. Recognising that homes and housing histories can signify great comfort but may also be sites of trauma and injustice, her ambiguous rendering of architectural details and atmospheric blurring of boundaries invite manifold personal and political interpretations.
NG Malla is completing an MFA at the National Art School, Sydney, recommitting to her art practice after rearing her four children. She has been a finalist in numerous art prizes including the Paddington Art Prize (2025), the Kedumba Drawing Prize (2024), Meroogal Women’s Art Prize (2024), Fisher’s Ghost (2024, 2025) and the Hawkesbury Art Prize (2024). She has exhibited with Michael Reid (Northern Beaches), David Rex-Livingston (Katoomba), and the Toowoomba Gallery, and her work is held in collections in Australia, the US, the UK and Asia. Her ongoing academic work across urbanism and housing deeply informs her creative practice.
Education/training
2025-: Master of Fine Arts, National Art School, Sydney, Australia
2003: PhD (Urban & Regional Planning), University of Sydney, Australia
1996: Master of Urban & Regional Planning), University of Sydney, Australia
1993: Bachelor of Arts, University of Sydney, Australia
Selected exhibitions
2025, David Rex Livingston Art Gallery, Katoomba (group)
2024, Michael Reid Northern Beaches, Sydney (group)
2024, Purple Noon gallery, Sydney (group)
2023, Michael Reid Northern Beaches (mini solo release)
2023, Saywell Gallery Marrickville, Sydney (group)
2022,Saywell Gallery Marrickville, Sydney (group)
2023, Balmain Watch House (group)
1992, Window Gallery, Chippendale, Sydney (solo)
1992, Green Iguana, Newtown, Sydney (solo)
1992, Siddartha Art Gallery, Kathmandu (solo)
1991, Siddartha Art Gallery, Kathmandu (group)
Award exhibitions
2026, Hill Landscape Prize Finalist
2025, Paddington Art Prize Finalist
2024, Meroogal Womens’ Art Prize Finalist
2024, Kedumba Drawing Prize Finalist
2024, 2025, Fisher Ghost, Finalist
2023, 2024, Lethbridge Landscape Prize Finalist
2023, Hawkesbury Art Prize Finalist
2023, Mount Eyre Art Prize Finalist
2023, Blacktown Art Prize Finalist
2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 Waverley Woollahra Finalist
2022, 2023 Hunters Hill Art Prize Finalist
2021, 2022, 2024, Greenway Art Prize Finalist