As part of The Pop-Up Project’s ongoing mission to champion regional artists, two Southern Highlands-based creatives, Roxanne Lillis and Poss Keech, are bringing their work to Sydney in a joint exhibition at Art Gallery on Darling.
Running from 28 April to 3 May 2026 at the Art Gallery on Darling in Balmain, this exhibition represents more than a week of artworks on display. It is a reflection of the depth, diversity and strength of artists working within the Southern Highlands, and the role The Pop-Up Project plays in connecting them to broader audiences.
Roxanne Lillis: Painting Through Landscape, Memory and Recovery
Southern Highlands artist Roxanne Lillis brings a deeply personal and layered approach to contemporary landscape painting. Living and working on acreage surrounded by regenerating bushland, her work is shaped by both observation and lived experience.
Her process begins with sketches drawn directly from the environment around her – a landscape marked by renewal, but also by the memory of devastation following bushfire. Through the application of oil paints and glazes in layered compositions, Lillis explores the tension between destruction and recovery.
As she describes, her paintings seek to capture not only the visible transformation of the land, but also the emotional and philosophical weight that sits beneath it. The result is a body of work that is both abstract and grounded – ambiguous organic forms that invite multiple interpretations.
Educated at the Julian Ashton Art School and holding advanced degrees from the University of Wollongong and UNSW Art & Design, Lillis has developed a distinctive visual language that continues to evolve.
Her work has been exhibited across Sydney and regional New South Wales, with a growing reputation for pieces that are at once whimsical and solemn – capturing the quiet resilience of the Australian landscape.
You can explore more of her work via Roxanne Lillis’ contemporary artworks on Instagram (@roxannelillis) and through external galleries such as Gallery Alchemy, Traffic Jam Galleries, and Aspire Gallery.
Poss Keech: Colour, Landscape and an Evolving Creative Practice
In contrast, yet in perfect complement, Poss Keech’s work is driven by colour, movement and an intuitive connection to the natural world.
A Southern Highlands artist with a lifelong connection to the bush, Keech’s formative years were spent immersed in the landscapes of both suburban and rural New South Wales. From running through bushland in Turramurra to life on a cattle property near Tamworth, these experiences continue to inform her artistic practice.
Keech describes herself as someone who “dreams in colour,” and this is evident across her work. While she often experiments with restrained palettes, her paintings can shift suddenly into vibrant, expressive compositions. This balance between control and spontaneity gives her work a dynamic and evolving quality.
Her subject matter draws from the environments she inhabits and travels through – from the earthy tones of the Australian outback to the lush greens of locations such as the Minnamurra Rainforest in the Southern Highlands region.
An active and valued member of The Pop-Up Project, Keech has participated in multiple exhibitions and art trails, contributing to the collective’s growing presence and community.
Discover more via Poss Keech’s art portfolio on Instagram (@posskeech) or visit Poss Keech’s official artist website.
Experience the Exhibition in Balmain
Visitors to the exhibition at Art Gallery on Darling will have the opportunity to engage with both artists’ work in an intimate gallery setting. The opening night on Thursday 30 April offers a chance to meet the artists and gain deeper insight into their practice.
Located in the heart of Balmain, the gallery is surrounded by cafés, boutiques and harbour-side walks, making it an ideal destination for a cultural outing.
The Pop-Up Project: Supporting Southern Highlands Artists Beyond the Region
The Pop-Up Project continues to build momentum as a platform for Southern Highlands artists, providing opportunities for exhibition, promotion and connection both locally and beyond. Through curated showcases, digital features and strategic collaborations, the collective supports artists in growing their visibility and professional practice.
This exhibition is a natural extension of that vision – taking Southern Highlands artists into a Sydney gallery setting, while maintaining the integrity and individuality of their work.
Explore more via the Pop-Up Project Artist Directory or learn about Pop-Up Project membership opportunities.
Are you an artist based in the Southern Highlands?
Join The Pop-Up Project artist collective and access exhibition opportunities, promotion and a connected creative community – 2026 memberships are now open!
