Khue Nguyen is a Vietnamese-Australian artist based in Naarm/Melbourne, known for lyrical explorations of the human form and the emotional resonance of gesture. His figurative works – at the heart of his practice – move with rhythm and presence, capturing not just anatomy but the authentic language of motion, emotion, and lived experience. Inspired by music, dance, and fleeting moments of connection, these pieces offer poetic reflections that invite recognition and intimacy.
Rooted in memory in motion and gesture beyond words, Khue’s practice also investigates intergenerational narratives of migration and identity. He engages communities through collaborative public art, co-creating civic projects such as the Saigon Welcome Arch, Little Saigon Project, and Springvale Boulevard Project. In these works, storytelling becomes spatial and shared – honouring place, voice, and cultural heritage through visual design.
From deeply personal studio compositions to civic interventions, Khue pursues visual storytelling that bridges cultures, amplifies underrepresented voices, and connects past with present. Whether figurative, diasporic, or community-centered, each work is guided by empathy, curiosity, and a deep respect for the stories embedded in people and place.
With over four decades of exhibitions and public art initiatives across Australia and internationally, Khue remains committed to translating human experience into accessible visual language – where movement becomes memory, and gesture becomes voice.
Khue was a finalist in the Almenara 2026 Art Prize, The Lester Prize 2026, the Kedumba Drawing Award 2026, the Paul Guest Drawing Prize 2018, the Hutchins Art Prize 2013, and the Archibald Prize 2010. He was an invited artist in the Art, Life & Vision – 100 Excellent International Artists Exhibition in Malaysia in 2009. Since 1989-2020, he has won 16 prizes in Fine Arts and 9 prizes in Graphic Art. His show “Mapping Melbourne – Traces of Transformation” as part of Contemporary Asian Arts Festival 2013 at Melbourne Museum was highly acclaimed.
Visual Arts (Master), Monash University Australia, 2013.
Graphic Design (BA), Monash University Australia, 1993.
Fine Arts (AA), HCM City University of Fine Arts Vietnam, 1983.
Public Art Project
2018 - to date
• ‘Springvale Boulevard Project’ – Urban design development in Springvale.
In collaboration with HASSELL Architect. Commissioned by the Greater Dandenong
City Council.
2017
• Artwork for Shopfronts – ‘The Little SaiGon Project’ Footscray, Multi-level Building
Commissioned by the Maribyrnong City Council.
2016
• Artwork for the Welcome Arch – ‘The Little SaiGon Project’ Footscray
Commissioned by the Maribyrnong City Council.
2015
• Artwork for the Pavilion Building – ‘The Little SaiGon Project’ Footscray
Commissioned by the Maribyrnong City Council.
Achievement
2026
• The Almenara 2026 Art Prize: Finalist.
• The Lester Prize 2026: Finalist.
• Kedumba Drawing Award 2026: Finalist.
• Family Exhibition: Gánh Màu Cho Quê Hương, a six-artist collective showcase at the
Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts.
• Career Milestone: Co-presenting a 70-year retrospective of Nguyễn Thị Tâm in
celebration of her 90th birthday and multi-generational artistic legacy.
2022
• Bluethumb Art Prize 2022: Finalist, Abstract Award.
2018
• Paul Guest Drawing Prize 2018: Finalist.
2017
• EMERGE – Culture Empowering Community: Appointed as Emerge Cultural Ambassador
for City of Yarra.
2013
• Hutchins Art Prize 2013: Finalist.
2012
• Arc Yinnar Biennial Drawing Prize 2012: Finalist.
2011
• Heartlands Refugee Art Prize 2011: Finalist.
2010
• The Archibald Art Prize: Finalist.
• Waverley Arts Society (W.A.S.) Exhibition: Judge’s Award.
• Works on Paper Art Prize: Finalist.
2009
• W.A.S. Exhibition: Best Other Medium.
• Works on Paper Art Prize: Winner.
2007
• He Who Dreams Art Prize: Finalist.
1989-2011
11 prizes in Arts and 9 prizes in Graphic Design.
Grant
2020
• Body Language
Supported by Creative Victoria.
2015
• Forty Acts of Remembering Exhibition
In collaboration with My Le Thi and Minh Phan
Supported by City of Melbourne, Creative Victoria, Multicultural Arts Victoria, and
Victorian Multicultural Commission.
• Mapping Melbourne – Contemporary Asian Arts Festival
In collaboration with My Le Thi and Minh Phan
Supported by Multicultural Arts Victoria.
2013
• Mapping Melbourne – Contemporary Asian Arts Festival
Supported by Multicultural Arts Victoria.
2011
• Transfiguration Exhibition
Sponsored by Australian Consulate-General and Melbourne City Council.
Collection
2026
• The International Art Workshop and Exhibition at Rajamangala University of Technology
Thanyaburi. 2026’s Collection
• The 6th International Art Festival & Workshop at Phetchaburi Rajabhat University. 2026's
Collection
2009
• 100 Excellent Artists Exhibition, Malaysia. Art International Penang 2009’s Collection
• Works on Paper Art Prize 2009 – Brunswick Street Gallery (BSG). BSG's Collection
Solo Exhibition
2011
• Transfiguration – HCM City University of Fine Arts, Vietnam.
• In Search of Sensuality – Art Atrium Gallery, Australia.
2006
• Headless – Rinaldi Gallery, Australia.
Selected Group Exhibition / Art Fair
2026
• In Between, Creative Asia Art Centre. Curated by Hebe Huang and Christine Shao.
• Flesh, SOL Gallery.
• Queer Nights at Nightingale – A Music & Arts Festival for Pride Month, Nightingale Gallery.
Curated by Coady Green.
• The International Art Workshop and Exhibition at Rajamangala University of Technology
Thanyaburi, Thailand.
• The 6th International Art Festival & Workshop at Phetchaburi Rajabhat University,
Thailand.
2021
• The Overwintering Project: Westernport, Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery (MPRG).
Curated by Kate Gorringe-Smith.
2018
• Spiritus. Joint exhibition with Nguyen Thi Tam and Tran Thuy Linh, Vietnam.
2016
• From a Home to a Home, Brunswick Street Gallery. Curated by Kate Gorringe-Smith.
• Torn Away. In collaboration with the Human Rights Arts & Film Festival (HRAFF).
2014
• Vietnam/Australia: Voicing the Unspoken. In collaboration with the HRAFF.
• MidSumma Festival.
2013
• Perpetual Motion, Art Atrium Gallery. Joint exhibition with Douglas Cham.
• Snake Snake Snake – An Exhibition of Contemporary Asian Australian Artists.
2012
• The Agent Orange Justice Art.
2010
• Legend of The Lindsay’s.
• MidSumma Festival.
2009
• Art, Life & Vision – 100 Excellent Artists, Malaysia.
• Melbourne Art Fairs.
2008
• Melbourne Art Fairs.
• Figuration – Paintbox Fine Art Gallery, Canberra.
1989-2022
Participated in 27 other various group exhibitions, art shows and art competitions.
Publicity / Publication
2015
• Forty Acts of Remembering
Interview with
ABC Radio National – Books and Arts, 88.9FM
Vien Xu FM
SBS Channel 31 and VNTV
2014
• From Vietnam to Australia: Artists Voice the Unspoken
Interview with Australia Plus. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
2012
• Artist Nguyen Huy Khue – Vietnamese Around the World
Interview with VT10 Television Channel, HCM City
• Artist Nguyen Huy Khue
Interview with The Gioi Van Hoa (Global Culture), HCM City
2011
• Nguyen Huy Khue – Figuration Now
Book Launch
• Nguyen Huy Khue – Transfiguration
Catalogue
• Nguyen Huy Khue – Transfiguration Exhibition
VBC Channel, HCM City
• Artist Nguyen Huy Khue: Right Time Right Place
Art & Life Magazine – Vietnamese Fine Arts Association. Issue 61, 11/2011
• Transfiguration
Art World Magazine. Issue 116, 11/2011
• Khue Nguyen – A NAKED STAR
diaCRITICS
2010
• Less Seen Art, Made by Vietnamese-Australian Artists
KUNAPIPI: Journal of Postcolonial Writing & Culture
2006
• Male Study No. 8
BLUE Magazine. Issue 64, Sydney, Australia