Leslie Rice

Leslie Rice

Rice has spent more than 15 years as an established tattoo artist (from a lineage of tattooists including his father and sister) and finds the transition to creating art on velvet to be strangely familiar. Like painting the body with a needle, painting velvet with a brush is exacting and unforgiving.

Leslie Rice is a two-time winner of the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize (2012, 2007) and has been a finalist in the Archibald Prize (2015, 2012, 2010, 2008) and the John Sulman Prize (2013).

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26/08/2016 – 17/09/2016

TRAGIC/PLASTIC


09/09/2014 – 11/10/2014

BACCHANALIA


13/08/2014 – 17/08/2014

MELBOURNE ART FAIR


01/08/2012 – 05/08/2012

MELBOURNE ART FAIR


20/03/2012 – 14/04/2012

DEBUT


10/05/2022

LESLIE RICE - SULMAN PRIZE NOMINATION 2022

Leslie Rice, Blaming me is blaming God (a picture of Joseph Merrick), 2022, acrylic on velvet, 99.8 x 74.5 cm

A critically acclaimed painter and established tattoo artist, Leslie Rice is known for his use of dramatic imagery drawn from the grand tradition of history painting. Blending high art and pop, Rice combines Mannerist tableaux, including mythological and biblical references, with the vultures, lions, skulls and buxom women seen tattooed on the bodies of his clients and friends.


18/08/2018

LESLIE RICE AT MELBOURNE WRITERS FESTIVAL

Les Rice presents Literary Tattoos at Melbourne Writers Festival over two consecutive weekends, beginning on Saturday 25 August from 10am.

For tickets and further details please click here.

Image: Leslie Rice, Bacchanal (Startled Satyr), 2014


27/03/2018

LESLIE RICE SELECTED AS A FINALIST IN THE BLAKE PRIZE

Leslie Rice has been selected as a finalist in the Blake Prize. The Blake Prize is one of Australia’s longest standing and most prestigious prizes which encourages conversation about spirituality and religion through art.

The exhibition will be on display from 12 May until 1 July 2018 at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre in Sydney. The winner of the $35,00 prize will be announced on 19 May 2018.

Image: Leslie Rice, Bacchanal (Nevermore), 2014


Showing all 56 artworks

As the sun sets slowly in the west, a lone Griffon returns to its Eyriex
Leslie Rice As the sun sets slowly in the west, a lone Griffon returns to its Eyriex 2012 acrylic on velvet 55 x 75 cm Sold
Black Dog
Leslie Rice Black Dog 2016 acrylic on black velvet 20 x 25.5 cm Sold
Matthew 5:30
Leslie Rice Matthew 5:30 2016 acrylic on black velvet 20 x 25.5 cm Sold
Leda and the swan
Leslie Rice Leda and the swan 2016 acrylic on black velvet 61 x 91.5 cm $9,900.00
Black Dog
Leslie Rice Black Dog 2016 acrylic on black velvet 20 x 25.5 cm Sold
Prometheus bound
Leslie Rice Prometheus bound 2016 acrylic on black velvet 183 x 122 cm $22,000.00
Matthew 7:15
Leslie Rice Matthew 7:15 2016 acrylic on black velvet 61 x 46 cm $7,000.00
Salomés dance (crescendo)
Leslie Rice Salomés dance (crescendo) 2016 acrylic on black velvet 61 x 46 cm $7,000.00
A crazy Motherfucka
Leslie Rice A crazy Motherfucka 2016 acrylic on black velvet 61 x 46 cm $7,000.00
Can't get Santa Muerte (out of my head)
Leslie Rice Can't get Santa Muerte (out of my head) 2016 acrylic on black velvet 101.5 x 76 cm $11,000.00
Deuteronomy 19:21
Leslie Rice Deuteronomy 19:21 2016 acrylic on black velvet 20 x 25.5 cm Sold
Matthew 5:30
Leslie Rice Matthew 5:30 2016 acrylic on black velvet 20 x 25.5 cm Sold
Receding stripes
Leslie Rice Receding stripes 2016 fresco 47 x 47 cm
Advancing and receding stripes small
Leslie Rice Advancing and receding stripes small 2016 fresco 32 x 32 cm
Advancing orbs
Leslie Rice Advancing orbs 2016 fresco 32 x 32 cm $1,500.00
Advancing and receding squares
Leslie Rice Advancing and receding squares 2016 fresco 62 x 62 cm $2,500.00
Advancing HT
Leslie Rice Advancing HT 2016 fresco 62 x 62 cm $2,500.00
Good fat stripes
Leslie Rice Good fat stripes 2016 fresco 32 x 32 cm
Advancing and receding stripes medium
Leslie Rice Advancing and receding stripes medium 2016 fresco 47 x 47 cm
Tilting squares
Leslie Rice Tilting squares 2016 fresco 47 x 47 cm
Advancing target
Leslie Rice Advancing target 2016 fresco 47 x 47 cm $2,000.00
Hill End bacchanal (portrait of Luke Sciberras)
Leslie Rice Hill End bacchanal (portrait of Luke Sciberras) 2015 acrylic on black velvet 183 x 122 cm $22,000.00
Edwardian memento mori (Elephant Man skull)
Leslie Rice Edwardian memento mori (Elephant Man skull) 2015 acrylic on velvet 20 x 25 cm $2,500.00
Bacchanal (Nevermore)
Leslie Rice Bacchanal (Nevermore) 2014 acrylic on velvet 20 x 25 cm Sold
Bacchanal (Last of the Summer Wine)
Leslie Rice Bacchanal (Last of the Summer Wine) 2014 acrylic on velvet 20 x 25 cm Sold
Bacchanal (Sour Grapes)
Leslie Rice Bacchanal (Sour Grapes) 2014 acrylic on velvet 20 x 25 cm Sold
Bacchanal (Young Bacchus)
Leslie Rice Bacchanal (Young Bacchus) 2014 acrylic on velvet 61 x 46 cm Sold
Bacchanal (a Drunken Tryst)
Leslie Rice Bacchanal (a Drunken Tryst) 2014 acrylic on velvet 61 x 46 cm $7,000.00
Bacchanal (Startled Satyr)
Leslie Rice Bacchanal (Startled Satyr) 2014 acrylic on velvet 61 x 46 cm $7,000.00
Bacchanal (Lamentation)
Leslie Rice Bacchanal (Lamentation) 2014 acrylic on velvet 92 x 61 cm $9,900.00
Bacchanal (the Arrival of Silenus)
Leslie Rice Bacchanal (the Arrival of Silenus) 2014 acrylic on velvet 92 x 61 cm $9,900.00
Bacchanal (Pour the Wine)
Leslie Rice Bacchanal (Pour the Wine) 2014 acrylic on velvet 61 x 91.5 cm $9,900.00
Bacchanal (Nocturne)
Leslie Rice Bacchanal (Nocturne) 2014 acrylic on velvet 102 x 76 cm $11,000.00
Bacchanal (a Luncheon on the Grass)
Leslie Rice Bacchanal (a Luncheon on the Grass) 2014 acrylic on velvet 92 x 122 cm $14,000.00
The rest of St. John, Baptist
Leslie Rice The rest of St. John, Baptist 2013 acrylic on velvet 102 x 76 cm $11,000.00
The penitence of St. Jerome
Leslie Rice The penitence of St. Jerome 2013 acrylic on velvet 61 x 92 cm $9,900.00
The heroic deeds of brave St. George, great martyr
Leslie Rice The heroic deeds of brave St. George, great martyr 2013 acrylic on velvet 122 x 92 cm $14,000.00
The martyrdom of gallant St. Agatha
Leslie Rice The martyrdom of gallant St. Agatha 2013 acrylic on velvet 61 x 46 cm $7,000.00
Hail! The victory of Archangel Michael
Leslie Rice Hail! The victory of Archangel Michael 2013 acrylic on velvet 92 x 122 cm $25,000.00
As the sun sets slowly in the west, a lone Griffon returns to its Eyrie
Leslie Rice As the sun sets slowly in the west, a lone Griffon returns to its Eyrie 2012 acrylic on velvet 55 x 75 cm $7,000.00
As the sun sets slowly in the west, the dreaded Minotaur slumps dying in his labyrinth
Leslie Rice As the sun sets slowly in the west, the dreaded Minotaur slumps dying in his labyrinth 2012 acrylic on velvet 75 x 54 cm $8,800.00
As the sun sets slowly in the west, behold! The unholy stench of Manticore!
Leslie Rice As the sun sets slowly in the west, behold! The unholy stench of Manticore! 2012 acrylic on velvet 75 x 54 cm $8,800.00
As the sun sets slowly in the west, a harpy picks through the aftermath of war
Leslie Rice As the sun sets slowly in the west, a harpy picks through the aftermath of war 2012 acrylic on velvet 61 x 46 cm $7,000.00
As the sun sets slowly in the west, brave Bellerophon, astride the winged horse Pegasus, slays the fearsome Chimaera
Leslie Rice As the sun sets slowly in the west, brave Bellerophon, astride the winged horse Pegasus, slays the fearsome Chimaera 2012 acrylic on velvet 122 x 91.5 cm $14,000.00
As the sun sets slowly in the west, mightly Heracles embarks upon the second of his labours
Leslie Rice As the sun sets slowly in the west, mightly Heracles embarks upon the second of his labours 2012 acrylic on velvet 76 x 100 cm $11,000.00
As the sun sets slowly in the west, Phryxis sacrifices his saviour to Poseidon
Leslie Rice As the sun sets slowly in the west, Phryxis sacrifices his saviour to Poseidon 2012 acrylic on velvet 54 x 75 cm $8,800.00
As the sun sets slowly in the west, the hideous gorgon Medusa is slain
Leslie Rice As the sun sets slowly in the west, the hideous gorgon Medusa is slain 2012 acrylic on velvet 46 x 61 cm $7,000.00
As the sun sets slowly in the west, the riddle of the Sphinx is solved, and she devours herself in rage
Leslie Rice As the sun sets slowly in the west, the riddle of the Sphinx is solved, and she devours herself in rage 2012 acrylic on velvet 54 x 75 cm $8,800.00
As the sun sets slowly in the west, Tityos is consumed eternally by vultures
Leslie Rice As the sun sets slowly in the west, Tityos is consumed eternally by vultures 2012 acrylic on velvet 61 x 92 cm $9,900.00
As the sun sets slowly in the west, Sisyphus begins another day
Leslie Rice As the sun sets slowly in the west, Sisyphus begins another day 2012 acrylic on velvet 61 x 92 cm $9,900.00
As the sun sets slowly in the west, a lone Griffon returns to its Eyrie
Leslie Rice As the sun sets slowly in the west, a lone Griffon returns to its Eyrie 2012 acrylic on velvet 55 x 75 cm $7,000.00
As the sun sets slowly in the west, mighty Heracles completes the first of his labours - killing the Nemean Lion
Leslie Rice As the sun sets slowly in the west, mighty Heracles completes the first of his labours - killing the Nemean Lion 2012 acrylic on velvet 60 x 90 cm $8,000.00
As the sun sets slowly in the west, beautiful Adonis is gored to death by a wild boar
Leslie Rice As the sun sets slowly in the west, beautiful Adonis is gored to death by a wild boar 2012 acrylic on velvet 74.5 x 54.4 cm $7,000.00
Prometheus consumed
Leslie Rice Prometheus consumed 2011 acrylic on velvet 76 x 102 cm $9,900.00
The Sauce
Leslie Rice The Sauce 2010 acrylic on velvet 76 x 76 cm $8,000.00
Christian martyrs of the Roman colosseum (Remnant of #11)
Leslie Rice Christian martyrs of the Roman colosseum (Remnant of #11) 2010 acrylic on velvet 47 x 33 cm $5,000.00
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