Surrounded by the secluded Northern NSW hinterland, Darcy McCrae’s practice is deeply rooted in the landscape and environment. His expressive style combines a naïve aesthetic with bold compositions influenced by traditional painting, sculpture, and abstraction. He frequently employs borders or entrances within his work as both frames and barriers, separating a fixed exterior from an abstract space beyond. Within these boundaries, his imagery shifts fluidly between landscape, memory, and atmosphere, purposefully resisting a clear or complete reading.

Born in Mullumbimby in 1989, McCrae is a self-taught Australian artist based in the Northern Rivers region. His commitment to honest, original painting has established him as a distinctive voice in contemporary art.

“I moved to oil paint with the desire to create more vibrant colour in my work. I do a lot of prelim drawings and have a basic idea of what I will paint, so I can work quickly. I paint at night in the studio and can make a painting in one pass or it could take a few weeks.”