Sharleen Cu
Painter, Illustrator, Sculptor, Dancer, Curator
About
Hi! My name is Sharleen Cu and I am a multidisciplinary artist and a creative producer with a background in fine arts and digital illustration. My works play with the art of self-portraiture through mixed media in order to explore the complicated mess that makes up my identity as a Chinese-Filipino living in Australia. I aim to depict a multiverse of characters, with quirks and colours that reflect my childlike, inner world.
Despite their apparent differences and personal narrative, my works are united by the universal themes of destiny, spirituality, and dualism. I aim to remind the viewer that “oneself” is not truly any “one” at all, but a part of something much more limitless. In an age of social media where everyone is chasing after beauty and success, I ask the viewers to look within themselves and find beauty in their perceived flaws and imperfections.
My work has been exhibited in both the Philippines and Australia, with selected artworks being the recipient of multiple art awards.
education
Bachelor of Illustration, 2024
Melbourne Polytechnic – Fairfield
Melbourne, Australia
Advanced Diploma of Creative Product Development, 2022
Melbourne Polytechnic – Preston
Melbourne, Australia
Diploma of Visual Arts – Painting and Printmaking, 2021
Melbourne Polytechnic – Preston
Melbourne, Australia
Winner: Overall Outstanding VET Student of the Year & Outstanding Creative Arts VET Student of the Year 2021
aCHIEVEMENTS
Winner of Valley Youth Film Festival for “Peregrination” 2025
Melbourne, Australia
First Prize for Charity Art Show by Ministry of Art 2024
Melbourne, Australia
Overall Outstanding Vocational Education and Training Student of the Year at Melbourne Polytechnic 2021
Melbourne, Australia
Outstanding Creative Arts Vocational Education and Training Student of the Year at Melbourne Polytechnic 2021
Melbourne, Australia
Best Body of Work Award 2021
Melbourne, Australia
People’s Choice Award in Fact or Fiction Portrait Competition 2021
Melbourne, Australia
First Place in 18+ 3D Visual Arts for Artz Blitz 2021
Melbourne, Australia
Outstanding Printmaking Award 2020
Melbourne, Australia
Finalist in Fact or Fiction Portrait Competition 2020
Melbourne, Australia
Honourable Mention in Philippine Pastel Competition 2019
Manila, Philippines
Honourable Mention in Philippine Pastel Competition 2018
Manila, Philippines
Recent Activity
2025 – PARTICIPANT OF BRIMBANK YOUTH ARTS CREATIVE PRODUCER LAB
Took part in a mentorship program guided by Candy Bowers, to create RESONATE, a youth showcase for the Be Bold Festival 2025, Melbourne, Australia
PAST EXHIBITIONS
2025 – ELEVATION
The Bowery Theatre – Melbourne, Australia
2025 – IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE?
Flinders Walk, Northbank – Melbourne, Australia
2025 – SENSITIVE BEINGS
Kindred Cameras – Melbourne, Australia
2025 – ASIAN HERITAGE WEEK
Dark Horse Experiment – Melbourne, Australia
2025 – UN/REAL
Blender Studios – Melbourne, Australia
2024 – CHARITY ART SHOW
Ministry of Art – Melbourne, Australia
Winner: First Place for ‘Soulution’
2024 – PAST PRESENT FUTURE
Abbotsford Convent – Melbourne, Australia
2024 – BEYOND IDENTITY, FALLING IN SHEPPARTON
The G.R.A.I.N Store – Melbourne, Australia
2024 – WHAT YOU LOVE
The Fitzroy Art Collective – Melbourne, Australia
2024 – ASCENDANT
Abbotsford Convent – Melbourne, Australia
2023 – THE CUT-OUTS
Richmond Library – Melbourne, Australia
2023 – BIRTHDAY BASH
Fitzroy Art Collective – Melbourne, Australia
2023 – 3RD YEAR FUNDRAISER
Workshop Bar – Melbourne, Australia
2023 – SMALL WORKS ART PRIZE
Brunswick Street Gallery – Melbourne, Australia
2023 – ARTZ BLITZ
Kingston Arts Centre – Melbourne, Australia
2022- 2ND YEAR SHOW
Melbourne Polytechnic, Fairfield – Melbourne, Australia
2022- BEYOND I.D.ENTITY
Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub – Melbourne, Australia
2022- ART SHOW
The Fitzroy Art Collective – Melbourne, Australia
2022- FACES
The Fitzroy Art Collective – Melbourne, Australia
2022- BIG B’DAY BASH
The Fitzroy Art Collective – Melbourne, Australia
2022- THE ARTIST AND THE MUSE
The Fitzroy Art Collective – Melbourne, Australia
2022- ARTZ BLITZ
Kingston Arts Centre – Melbourne, Australia
2022- SMALL WORKS ARTS PRIZE
Brunswick Street Gallery – Melbourne, Australia
2022- NEW BLOOD
Red Gallery – Melbourne, Australia
2021- WANDERLUST
A-Space Gallery – Melbourne, Australia
Winner: Best Body of Work
2021- FACT OR FICTION
A-Space Gallery – Melbourne, Australia
Winner: People’s Choice Award for ‘Alice’
2021- MIDWAY SHOW
A-Space Gallery – Melbourne, Australia
2021 – ARTZ BLITZ
Kingston Arts Centre – Melbourne, Australia
Winner: First Prize in 3D Visual Arts
2020 – ILLUSTRE X EPOCH
A-Space Gallery – Melbourne, Australia
Winner: Outstanding Printmaking Award
Winner: Most Improved Award
2020 – FACT OR FICTION
A-Space Gallery – Melbourne, Australia
Winner: Finalist for ‘Harley Quinn’
2019 – BEYOND IMPRESSIONS
Gateway Gallery – Manila, Philippines
2019 – FIRST BASE
Pineapple Lab – Manila, Philippines
2018 – TIES THAT BIND
Gateway Gallery – Manila, Philippines
2017 – BARE
Gateway Gallery – Manila, Philippines
Sharleen Cu 