Art that cultivates curiosity and wonder  // Artist Julie Lucht de Freibruch // Noosa, Queensland

Born in Belgium, Julie Lucht de Freibruch spent her early years in France and England before coming to Australia in 2006. Julie comes from a family of artists, including great-grandfather Ricciotto Canudo (1877-1923), friend of Picasso, Matisse and Jean Cocteau during the Cubist movement in 1910s and 1920s Paris.

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Her work is inspired by her local environment, exploring Queensland’s vibrant tropical landscapes, its nature and distinctive buildings. The contrast between man-made and natural forms is a popular theme in her work.

Julie uses fluid acrylics in her paintings, her style inspired by the strong graphic design elements of printmaking, and atmospheric details of illustration.

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Her characterful, colourful style has seen her undertake numerous private commissions and she is collected across the world. She lives near Noosa on the Sunshine Coast with her husband and two young children.

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AWARDS & PRIZES

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2024

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• Finalist // "Sunset Drive"

Noosa Art Prize (The Non Gallery) 2024

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• Finalist // "Ephemeral"

Local Contemporary Art Prize (Caloundra Art Gallery) 2024

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• Shortlisted // "Sunset Drive"

Salon des Refusés // Lethbridge 20000 (Lethbridge Art Gallery) 2024

 

2022

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• Finalist // "Alchemy"

National Emerging Art Prize (NEAP) 2022

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2021

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• Winner // "Jungalow Escape"

Art2Life Pride & Joy Competition

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EXHIBITIONS

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2024

​Noosa Art Prize // The J, Noosa Junction (The Non Gallery) 2024​

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Local Contemporary Art Prize (Caloundra Art Gallery) 2024

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Salon des Refusés // Online Exhibition

Lethbridge 20000 (Lethbridge Art Gallery) 2024

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2023

Country Style magazine collaborative exhibition // 

Michael Reid Murrurundi //

March 2 - March 26, 2023

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Noosa Regional Gallery // Tewantin

More than the sum of its parts //

Feb 3 - March 2023

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Montville Art Gallery // Montville
Artist of the Month - November 2023

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2022

Montville Art Gallery //

Artist of the Month - June 2022

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Toowoomba Art Show //

April 2022

 

2021

Montville Art Gallery //

Artist of the Month - May 2021

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2019

Eclectica 2019 //

Butter Factory Arts Centre, Cooroy, Australia // Group show

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Horizon Festival 2019 //

Creative Arts Alliance & Third Drawer Down, Maroochydore, Australia // Group show

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2006

Victor Harbor Art Show 2006 //

Victor Harbor, SA, Australia // Group show

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MAGAZINE ARTICLES

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2022

Here & Now Magazine //

Oct/Nov 2021

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2021

Salt Magazine //

Winter 2021

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Why Smart Coconut?

I love words that have double meanings, so when I became a freelance graphic designer, and was looking for a name that might encompass many things, I chose Smart Coconut.

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Smart = looking stylish & well-thought out

Cocount = tropical & another word for your head

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Ultimately, I felt my USP was that I had a degree in Pyschology, and therefore could logically work things out better than a lot of other creatives. Do I wish that it was something different now? Of course! As a creative person, it's tempting to always be changing things up and evolving. Still, to change it now, just because, is probably not a good enough reason! What I don't like about it, is the presumption that I'm saying I'm smart. Because I'm not saying that at all... just more... thoughtful.

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