Patrick Francis, 25 years, is an enthusiastic visual and performing Australian artist and illustrator with autism and intellectual disability from a CALD background who communicates effectively through his paintings. His remarkable work is texturally rich, winning him the Art & Australia/Credit Suisse Contemporary Art Award 2012, Maribyrnong Inclusive Recognition Art Awards 2010-16, Victorian Multicultural Art Award 2014, Victorian Young Achievers Art Award 2014, Moonee Valley inaugural Mayoral Art Award 2014, A1 Darebin Art Salon 2016, Artist Photographer Award 2016, National Finalist in Darebin Art Prize 2015, Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2016 and Geelong Contemporary Art Prize 2018, besides being featured in Melbourne Now 2013 (Ian Potter Centre) and NGV 150th birthday, Melbourne Art Fairs 2012 and 2014, SafARI 2014 (Sydney Biennale), FLAIR Melbourne 2016, Arts Project Collins Place/Sofitel Showcase 2016, Linden Postcard Show 2016, Moreland Summer Show 2016, Open Studios at FCAC/Saltwater Art Centre 2015-16, Solo Exhibition and Residency at Bundoora Homestead Art Centre 2017, Exhibition at Vic Uni MetroWest 2016 and 2017, NGV Design Store and Third Drawer Down 2013-17; Robin Gibson / Walsh Bay / Sheffer / Chippendale Galleries, Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Sydney; Arts Project / Roslyn Smorgon / Splash / Incinerator / Counihan / Stockton / Shepparton / Little Woods / Collingwood / Platform 72 / Norwood / Coburg Town Hall / Phoenix / No Vacancy Galleries / Smith Street, Ian Potter Centre, Atrium - Federation Square and Sunshine Art Spaces, Melbourne; Tanks Art Centre & Brisbane Convention / Exhibition Centre, Qld; numerous Australian regional galleries including Newcastle, Dubbo, Ipswich, Ballarat, Gippsland, Hazelhurst; International exhibitions in India, New York, Singapore and Bangkok since 2010, (upcoming Melbourne Fringe Festival 2017 and Spring 1883 Boutique Artfair Establishment Hotel, Sydney) besides numerous private collections and being acquired by Art Gallery of NSW, ArtBank, Art & Australia, Dept of Health & Human Rights, Fmr Governor General of Australia - Dame Quentin Bryce, Victoria College of the Arts, Third Drawer Down and Bundoora Homestead Arts Centre.
He's been featured several times in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Art Guide, Art & Australia magazine, Moonee Valley Leader/Weekly; Moreland, Northcote, Melton and Brimbank newspapers, Art Month Sydney, Raven, Indian Link, The Hindu, Anglo-Indian Review, Anglos in the Wind, The Westsider, NGV Melbourne Now Yearbooks and ancillary documents, several online articles, Amazon books, amongst others.
Lesley Francis, 27 years, is an artist, illustrator, author and curator who mentors Patrick and has collaborated with him on this project. She has also won several of the above awards alongwith her brother Patrick. Their lengthy list of exhibitions - local, national & international are on display on the following websites alongwith photos of their paintings, awards, volunteer activities / community service and so forth.
http://patrick-francis.weebly.com/
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/patrick-francis
https://www.opencanvas.com.au/artists/patrick/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmtzNbjs02w
http://patrick-lesley-artwork.weebly.com/
https://www.artsproject.org.au/artist/patrick-francis/
http://www.ian.org.au/member-artists/artist-m-z/patrick-francis
https://www.facebook.com/PatrickFrancisArtist/
https://bluethumb.com.au/patrick-francis/
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/melbourne-arts/emerging-painter-and-autism-ambassador-patrick-francis-expresses-himself-through-his-art-20161125-gsxnva.html
https://www.thirddrawerdown.com/products/patrickfrancisteatowel
https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/melbournenow/artists/francis.html
http://lindenpostcardshow.com.au/patrick-francis/?q=1&k=&sort=&order=DESC&pg=1&c=&s=F&nor=1&ignore_f=1&source=2
http://footscrayarts.com/event/on-air/
https://www.vu.edu.au/about-vu/news-events/news/nominate-a-footscray-icon
http://www.bundoorahomestead.com/exhibition/patrick-francis-portraits-remastered/
https://au.pinterest.com/indazones18/patrick-francis-artwork-apa/
Lesley & Patrick Francis - Exhibitions / Residencies / Media
2018
Sep 21-Nov 6, 2018 - Biennale of Australian Art, Ballarat
Aug 4-Sep 16, 2018 - A1 Darebin Art Salon, Bundoora Homestead Art Centre
Nov-Dec 2018 - Annual Gala Exhibition, Arts Project Australia Gallery
Nov-Dec 2018 - IAN Exhibition, Bendigo
Nov-Dec 2018 - FCAC Exhibition, Roslyn Smorgon Gallery, Footscray
Oct-Nov 2018 - ADEC Artability, Brunswick Town Hall
Jul 23-Sep 30, 2018 - Creature Feature, Coburg Town Hall
Jun 9-Aug 19, 2018 - National Finalist in Geelong Contemporary Art Prize/Exhibition
Apr 28-Jun 9, 2018 - POP Exhibition, Arts Project Australia Gallery, Northcote
Mar 10-May 13, 2018 - Accession Exhibition, Bundoora Homestead Art Centre
Mar 10-Apr 11, 2018 - APA Exhibition, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
Apr 1-Jun 30, 2018 - Colour Spectrum, Ascot Vale Gallery
Mar 3-Jun 30, 2018 - WAAD Exhibition, Niddrie Gallery
Jan 1-Apr 30, 2018 - Brush Strokes Exhibition, Flemington Gallery
Jan 1 - Apr 23, 2018 - Home Grown Exhibition, Avondale Gallery
2017
Dec 1-31, 2017 - IDPwD Exhibition, Avondale Heights Gallery
Dec 1-31, 2017 - IDPwD Exhibition, Flemington Library
Nov 17, 2017 - ADEC Artability Celebrating Identity Exhibition, Brunswick Town Hall
Nov 10, 2017-Jan 12, 2018 - Linden Postcard Show, Domain House, South Yarra
Nov 10-Dec 9, 2017, Moreland Summer Show, Counihan Gallery, Brunswick
Sep 6-9, 2017 - Spring 1883 Art Fair, Establishment Hotel, Sydney
Sep 4-Oct 13, 2017 - Contributing Members of Society, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Coburg Town Hall
Aug 22-Sep 19, 2017 - AWEgust for AWEtism Exhibition, Phoenix Gallery, Footscray
Aug 17-Sep 15, 2017 - Picturing Footscray, Due West Immersive Arts Festival, VU MetroWest
Aug 11, 2017 - Patrick Francis in the Westsider Newspaper: Two Artists, Two Views
Aug 8-Sep 8, 2017 - AWEgust for AWEtism Exhibition, Flemington Library
Aug 4-Sep 4, 2017 - AWEgust for AWEtism Exhibition, Avondale Heights Gallery
May 19, 2017 - Open Canvas/Corcous Club Mayday Charity Auction
May 15-July 25, 2017 - Inspirations Exhibition, Stockton Gallery, Brimbank
May 1-June 10, 2017 - Let's Dance Exhibition, Arts Project Aust.
May 1-19, 2017 - Two Views Exhibition, Victoria University MetroWest
May 2017 - Patrick Francis in Darebin Community Newspaper
Mar 27-July 14, 2017 - Colour the Spectrum Exhibition, Coburg Town Hall Gallery
Mar 8-Apr 30, 2017 - Patrick Francis Solo: Portraits Re-Mastered, Bundoora Homestead
Mar 8-Apr 2, 2017 - Bundoora Nebula Residency & Open Studios, Bundoora Art Centre
Mar 1-29, 2017 - Yellow Exhibition, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
Mar 2-Dec 31, 2017 - Australiana at Third Drawer Down & Arts Project Aust.
Feb 2-Dec 31, 2017 - Australiana at National Gallery of Victoria
Jan 1-31, 2017 - Art with Heart Exhibition, Chennai, India
2016
-A1 Darebin Art Salon, Bundoora Homestead Art Centre
-Sunshine Coast Art Prize & Exhibition, Caloundra Gallery, Queensland
-FLAIR Melbourne, Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD
-Real Fiction, Roslyn Smorgon Gallery, Footscray
-Annual Gala, Arts Project Aust Gallery, Northcote
-Small World, Small Wonders, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
-Factivism: Moreland Summer Show, Counihan Gallery, Brunswick
-Open Studio & Exhibition, Saltwater Art Centre, Point Cook
-I Heart Rock, Arts Project Aust Gallery, Northcote
-Linden Postcard Show, Linden New Art Gallery, St Kilda
-Connected Art Exhibition, No Vacancy Gallery, Federation Sq
-Let's Get Visual, Coburg Town Hall Gallery
-Arts Project Collins Place Pop-Up Gallery, Sofitel Hotel
-Diverse-CITY, ADEC Artability, Atrium, Federation Sq
-Baroque Era: Patrick Francis in Moonee Valley Leader
-Emerging Painter: Patrick Francis in The AGE & Sydney Morning Herald
-Patrick Francis on Amazon
2015
-Darebin Art Prize, Bundoora Homestead Art Centre
-Horse Feathers, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
-Well Red, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
-WOW Exhibition, Arts Access, Sunshine Art Spaces
-Patrick Francis & Friends, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
-Annual Gala, Arts Project Australia Gallery
-Transforming Futures, APAC Conference, Brisbane
-On Air, Roslyn Smorgon Gallery, Footscray
-Art from the Heart, Coburg Town Hall Gallery
-After..., Arts Project Australia Gallery
-Salon, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
-Tirpur Open Studios & Exhibition, Tamilnadu, India
-Star Siblings: Patrick Francis in Brimbank Leader
-Patrick Francis in Sydney Morning Herald, Spectrum Now
2014
-Victorian Young Achievers Award 2014 - Coffee Club Arts Award
-Aspect National Inspiration Award, Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Sydney
-Patrick Francis, Arts Project featured artist, Melbourne Art Fair
-Achieve Your Dream Exhibition, Splash Gallery, Phoenix Youth Centre, Footscray
-SafARI 2014, Sydney Biennale, The Corner Cooperative
-Melbourne Now Exhibition, National Gallery of Victoria
-Light it up Blue for Autism Exhibition, Clocktower Centre, Moonee Ponds
-Expressions Exhibition, Splash Gallery, Footscray
-Face 2 Face Exhibition, the Portrait Show, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
-Winner Victorian Premier's Multicultural Award for Excellence 2014
-Art & Australia Collection 2003-2013 National Travelling Exhibition 2014 featuring Patrick Francis paintings: Napoleon and Ned Kelly:
a) Art Gallery of Ballarat
b) Dubbo Regional Gallery
c) Victoria, Gippsland Art Gallery
d) Queensland, Ipswich Art Gallery
-Connected Exhibition, Yarra Gallery, Federation Square, Melbourne
-Human Rights Exhibition, Avondale Heights Library, Moonee Valley
-Patrick Francis Solo Exhibition, Little Woods Gallery, Collingwood
-Awetism Exhibition, Aspect, Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Sydney
-Retrospective Exhibition, Clocktower Centre, Moonee Ponds
-Patrick Francis Solo Exhibition, Arts Project Australia Gallery
-Patrick Francis wins Angels of the Street Award, St Kilda
-IDPwD Exhibition, Sam Merrifield Library, Moonee Ponds
-Annual Gala Exhibition, Arts Project Australia, Melbourne
-Time & Tide Exhibition, Moonstone Art Gallery, St Albans
-Abstracts Exhibition, Moonstone Art Gallery, St Albans
-Awetistic Optimistic by Swati Bhargav - Indian Link
-Dignity for All Exhibition, Clover Gallery, St Albans
-Creative HeARTS Exhibition, Coburg Town Hall
-Patrick Francis wins Mayoral Art Award
-Patrick Francis on Backyard Opera
2013
-Melbourne Now Exhibition, The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Melbourne
-Athlete & Artist Exhibition, Splash Gallery, Phoenix Youth Centre, Footscray
-Art & Australia Collection 2003-2013 National Travelling Exhibition, featuring Patrick Francis paintings: Napoleon and Ned Kelly:
a) Newcastle Art Gallery, NSW
b) Hazelhurst Regional Gallery & Arts Centre
-Annual Gala Exhibition, Arts Project Australia Gallery, Melbourne
-Poetic Paintings Exhibition, Incinerator Gallery, Moonee Ponds
-ADEC Artability Exhibition, Federation Square, Melbourne
-Exit, pursed by a bear Exhibition, Sheffer Gallery, Sydney
-At the Table Exhibition, Arts Project Australia, Melbourne
-Classic Albums Exhibition, Tanks Art Centre, Cairns, QLD
-IDPwD Open Doors Exhibition, Clover Gallery, St Albans
-WAAD Exhibition, Moonstone Art Gallery, St Albans
-Inspirations Exhibition, Coburg Town Hall, Coburg
-Patrick Francis at Third Drawer Down
2012
-Patrick Francis wins Art & Australia / Credit Suisse Contemporary Art Award
-Art & Australia Collection 2003-2013 Exhibition, Newcastle Art Gallery, NSW
-Classic Albums Exhibition, Arts Project Australia Gallery, Melbourne
-Walsh Bay Arts Table 2012 Exhibition, the Wharf – Pier 2, Sydney
-Annual Gala Exhibition, Arts Project Australia Gallery, Melbourne
-Out of the Blue Exhibition, Sheffer Gallery, Darlington, Sydney
-Melbourne Art Fair 2012, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne
-IDPwD Break Barriers Exhibition, Clover Gallery, St Albans
-ADEC Artability Exhibition, Federation Square, Melbourne
-IDPwD Exhibition, Riverside Golf Course, Ascot Vale
-WAAD Exhibition, Moonstone Art Gallery, St Albans
-Wasaboshi Exhibition, Bangkok, Thailand
-Access Arts Exhibition, Queensland
2011
-Movement & Emotion Exhibition, Arts Project Australia Gallery
-This Sensual World Exhibition, Arts Project Australia Gallery
-IDPwD Action in Development Exhibition, Norwood Gallery & Chennai, India
-IDPwD - A Better World for All Exhibition, Clover Gallery & Tirpur, India
-National Gallery of Victoria 150th Birthday Exhibition, Melbourne
-ADEC Artability Exhibition, Federation Square, Melbourne
-Connected 11 Exhibition, No Vacancy Gallery, Melbourne
-Annual Gala Exhibition, Arts Project Australia
-WAAD Exhibition, Moonstone Art Gallery, St Albans
-Patrick Francis on Art Blart
2010
-Annual Gala Exhibition, Arts Project Australia Gallery, Melbourne
-IDPwD Full Participation Exhibition, Clover Gallery, St Albans
-Sweet Relief Exhibition, Arts Project Australia, Melbourne
-Connected 10 Exhibition, No Vacancy Gallery, Melbourne
-ADEC Artability Summer Exhibition, Federation Square
-Annecto Open Windows Exhibition, Boxhill Town Hall
-WAAD Exhibition, Moonstone Art Gallery, St Albans
-Rob McNamara Exhibition, Collingwood Gallery
-IDPwD Exhibition, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
-All of Me, Singapore and India
2009
-ADEC Artability Home Exhibition, Federation Square, Melbourne
-IDPwD Independent Living Exhibition, Clover Gallery, St Albans
-IDPwD Sustainable Livelihoods Exhibition, Chennai, India
-Annual Gala Exhibition, Arts Project Australia, Melbourne
-WAAD Exhibition, Moonstone Art Gallery, St Albans
Collections - Bundoora Homestead, VCA, Art Bank, Art Gallery NSW, Arts Access Victoria, Private Collections | 
