A lIttle bit About me
I’m Hayley Krüger, a Western Australian artist based in the Swan Valley, where I paint from my home studio surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Originally from South Africa with a background in graphic design, I’ve spent the last decade creating vibrant botanical and still life paintings inspired by native Australian flora, seasonal fruit, and the quiet treasures found in everyday life. I’m especially drawn to the sculptural beauty of banksias, gum blossoms, eucalyptus, and the rich colour and light of the Australian landscape.
My work is a celebration of simple moments — the warmth of sunlight on fruit, the character of a weathered leaf, the joy of bringing nature indoors. Through painting, I hope to create work that feels uplifting, comforting, and deeply connected to the natural world.
In recent years, my breast cancer journey has gently shaped the way I see and paint the world. Creativity has become a lifeline during difficult seasons, helping me slow down, stay present, and find beauty even in uncertainty. Many of my still life works now reflect themes of nourishment, healing, resilience, and gratitude.
My paintings have received national recognition, including the City of Swan Award at the Ellenbrook Art Awards (2024) and the Petite Collection National Prize (2023). I’ve also achieved finalist placements in Bluethumb Art Prize, Petite Pieces, and Foot Square at Aspire Gallery. My work is held in private and corporate collections across Australia and internationally.
Alongside my studio practice, I also love teaching workshops and retreats, sharing the joy of painting and encouraging others to reconnect with creativity, nature, and themselves.
Perth, Western Australia
AWARDS & MERITS
WINNER, The City of Swan Award, Ellenbrook Art Awards 2024
WINNER, Small Works Art Prize, Petite Collection | 2023
Finalist, “Petite Pieces”, Aspire Gallery | 2023
Finalist, “Foot Square”, Aspire Gallery | 2022
Finalist, Ellenbrook Art Awards | 2022
Finalist, Bluethumb Art Prize | 2021
Finalist, Ellenbrook Art Awards | 2021
Finalist, Ellenbrook Art Awards | 2020
Shortlist, 10 Local Perth Artists you should know, Bluethumb | 2020
Finalist, Ellenbrook Art Awards | 2019
Finalist, Ellenbrook Art Awards | 2018
Shortlist, 10 of the best of Emerging Australiana Artists. Bluethumb | 2018
Finalist, Ellenbrook Art Awards | 2017
Finalist, Ellenbrook Art Awards | 2016
EXHIBITIONS
Perfectly Still: An exhibition | Group Show | 2024
Art @ Hale, Hale School | 2024
Affordable Art Fair Melbourne (Aspire Gallery) | 2024
Affordable Art Fair Sydney (Aspire Gallery) | 2024
Affordable Art Fair Brisbane (Aspire Gallery) | 2024
Perth College | 2024
Upmarket Art Fair | 2023
“Petite Pieces”, Aspire Gallery | 2023
“Foot Square”, Aspire Gallery | 2022
Swan Open Studios Event | 2021, 2022, 2024
Joondalup Community Art Award, Lakeside Joondalup | 2018 - 2021
Arc Agency AU Event, Bluethumb Art, Perth WA | 2019
Fine Art at Hale (Invitation), Hale School, Perth | 2019
Swan Open Studios Event | 2019
Perth Art Upmarket (Annual Art Fair) | 2018 - 2023
Perth College | 2018
Art @ Hale, Hale School | 2018
Darlington Art Awards, Darlington | 2018
“Pure Colour”, Houghton Winery (Combined Private Exhibition) | 2017
LICENSING
City of Swan Volunteer Week (Thank You Cards) | 2023
John Sands (Greeting Cards) | 2021 – 2024
Bullet Planner (Personalised Diary Covers) | 2021 - 2024
Joondalup Art Community Award (Promotional Campaign Material) | 2021
City of Swan Award
This is awarded to an artist who lives in the City of Swan, or an artwork that depicts an aspect of living in the City of Swan.
This artist has displayed a tremendous amount of development in her style in recent years, and that is to be commended.
The judges see a confident yet sensitive approach to the medium and subject matter, and they appreciate that it is a small artwork painted to scale, rather than an overblown, scaled-up version.
The winner is an Ellenbrook artist,
Hayley Kruger for My Darling Clementine.
Winner of the Petite Collection Small Works Art Prize 2023