Lea Kannar-Lichtenberger
LK-L
I am an environmental artist investigating the complex relationships between human impact and isolated environments, particularly islands and remote destinations. Through immersive residencies as artist/traveller, and observer, I move beyond superficial travel narratives to create artworks that critically examine the Anthropocene era and how consumerism affects supposedly pristine, utopian locations.
I hold a Master of Fine Art (2016) and Master of Contemporary Art (2014) from Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney.
My research reaches international audiences through exhibitions and academic conferences. In 2021, I was admitted as a member of the Royal Society of NSW—the Southern Hemisphere's oldest learned society—following my lecture Antarctica: This Ain't No Mirage - the value of art in disseminating scientific information.
My scholarly work appears in peer-reviewed journals and book publications. I have delivered formal lectures and over 23 conference papers worldwide, including two presentations at the 2024 SCAR (Scientific Community on Antarctic Research) Open Science Conference in Pucón, Chile.
Recent expeditionary work includes Antarctica (2023) and the Arctic (2024 as a member of The Arctic Circle Expeditionary Fellowship) and 2025 fellowship with Ocean Geographic, Bear Ace Expedition, providing firsthand experience of these fragile environments.
My environmental artworks have been featured in significant exhibitions including ‘3rd Annual Polar Film Festival, Sao Paola’, ‘Ancestral Echoes: A Decade of Bio Art’ at SVA New York, the Nautilus "Oceans" Exhibition at the Explorers Club New York, and major Australian exhibitions such as the Sculpture by the Sea (NSW & WA), SWELL Sculpture, Wyndham Prize, Northen Beaches Environmental Prize, North Qld Ceramic Biennale, and Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize.
2017-2023, I presented my self-funded Antarctic research in six solo exhibitions across Australia.
From 2025 I will be working to create and disseminate new artworks from my 2023 Antarctic and 2024/25/26 Arctic (Svalbard) onsite residencies and research.