Baillie Lodges' multi-award-winning flagship property, Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, has launched its inaugural artists-in-residence program this summer, welcoming the island's most revered and diverse artists to the lodge for dedicated residencies over the next few months.

Running until March next year, the program invites artists to stay at the lodge one at a time, offering an occasion for them to paint, draw, sculpt and be inspired by Kangaroo Island's wildly beautiful coastline, its abundant native wildlife and the vast Southern Ocean which stretches uninterrupted towards the horizon.

There's a chance for guests to chat to the artists and learn about their craft and experience the landscape through a new, artistic lens. The program is complimentary for guests, offered as a 'surprise and delight' element of their stay. There's more information on the artists, their work and their residence dates on the journal here. 

The initiative closely resembles the much-loved artists-in-residence program at sister property Longitude 131°, where First Nations Anangu artists from the Ernabella Arts Community in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands travel to Uluru to paint at the luxury lodge.

The Southern Ocean Lodge program lineup includes Kangaroo Island assemblage artist Janine Macintosh, whose distinctive local leaf mandalas line the sandstone walls of the lodge's restaurant and are also a feature in each guest suite. Also set to visit the lodge are photographer and storyteller Linda Irwin, and silversmith and jeweller of found copper Patti Blucher, whose wearable jewellery and paintings are available via her online gallery By Blu.

Artist Maggie Welz works with silk, watercolours and ink to tell the stories of the changing landscape, flora and fauna, while artist Jane Louise Evans works across a variety of media from her home and studio at the island's remote enclave overlooking Nepean Bay. Jane uses soft and painterly intaglio, bold and graphic relief printmaking techniques, painting, collage and drawing, etching lino- and screen-printing to depict kangaroos, wallabies and echidnas as well as local endangered beach nesting birds: Hooded Plovers, Pied Oystercatchers, White Bellied Sea Eagles and the treasured Boobook Owl.  

Sculptor Dave Clarke uses bronze and copper to represent South Australia's unique flora and fauna, with a focus on the ocean's smallest and most elusive creatures, amplifying their scale and accentuating their beauty to give them a sense of presence and wonder.

Multidisciplinary artist Peter Hastwell's commitment to caring for the island's natural environment is creatively expressed in his printworks, paintings and photography, while globally represented local artist Jennifer Macauley draws inspiration from the natural beauty of her island home. Jennifer works in watercolour, gouache, acrylic and oils to evoke the shifting light of sea, sky, and landforms.

Baillie Lodges Chief Operating Officer Craig Bradbery said he was delighted to bring such a stellar group of Kangaroo Island artists to create their works at Southern Ocean Lodge in its first ever artist-in-residence program.  

“We're looking forward to welcoming these inspiring local artists to Southern Ocean Lodge over the coming months. It's a special opportunity for guests to see artists at work and experience their creative interpretation of this extraordinary landscape,” Mr Bradbery said.

“As the first program of its kind at Southern Ocean Lodge, we look forward to continuing the artists-in-residence initiative in the years ahead,” he said.  

For more information and to make a booking, please visit www.southernoceanlodge.com.au, email reserve@bailielodges.com.au or call the reservations team on +61 2 9918 4355.

ABOUT
Baillie Lodges: Baillie Lodges is a growing portfolio of luxury lodges renowned for setting benchmarks in premium experiential travel. Set in exclusive locations of unique natural or cultural significance, the boutique properties appeal to the discerning global traveller seeking a remarkable experience. The Australia-based collection was founded in 2003 by James and Hayley Baillie and includes Longitude 131° at Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island, Silky Oaks Lodge at the Daintree Rainforest, and The Louise in the Barossa Valley. Flagship property Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island was razed in the 2020 bushfires and reopened in December 2023. In 2019, an affiliate of KSL Capital Partners acquired Baillie Lodges with the aim to further expand the unique collection of luxury lodges. The 2022 addition of Chile's esteemed Tierra Hotels group marked a continuation of the collection's foray into international waters, joining the Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge on Canada's Vancouver Island and New Zealand's Huka Lodge. Baillie Lodges' Australian properties are honoured as members of Luxury Lodges of Australia. For more information, please visit baillielodges.com.au.