Biography

Pete Cerneaz

Peter Cerneaz is an Australian artist whose work explores history, human experience, and abstraction. Born in Sydney, his passion for art began early, influenced by childhood drawings of World War II airplanes and family photographs. He later studied Fine Art, expanding into sculpture and abstraction.

In the late 1990s, Peter joined a vibrant artist community in Marrickville before moving to a studio in Sydney’s CBD. As the 2000 Olympics spurred redevelopment, he co-founded the Scots Church Artists Association, securing the studio space for several more years. His work evolved into refined, colorful abstractions, earning praise from curator Tony Bond as “visual delicacies.”

A pivotal moment came in 2001 during travels in Europe, where medieval stained glass—particularly at Bourges Cathedral—inspired his exploration of geometric composition. Returning to Australia, he continued painting and drawing while working in picture framing and art installation.

Peter has exhibited in major Sydney galleries and was twice a finalist in both the Dobell Drawing Prize and The Blake Prize. His practice extends to public commissions, including bronze and relief sculptures. His ever-evolving work continues to capture personal and universal themes through a dynamic artistic lens.