Marea Kozaczynski-McCaig

Marea Kozaczynski-McCaig is a Newcastle-born artist whose career reflects a lifelong passion for creativity, education, and artistic exploration. Marea  first gained recognition in her early twenties through cartoon work published in the Newcastle Sun, showcasing her distinctive humour and drawing ability. Her early artistic journey evolved alongside raising a family, eventually leading her to formal studies at Newcastle Technical College, where she consistently achieved top honours.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Marea established herself as a prominent exhibiting artist, holding numerous solo exhibitions and participating widely in group shows across the Hunter region and beyond. Her work earned significant acclaim, with multiple first prizes across major regional art competitions, particularly in drawing, illustration, and still life.

Mentored by renowned gallerist Anne von Bertouch, Marea developed a distinctive style that has evolved from traditional landscapes and still life into contemporary mixed media works featuring Australiana flora, fauna, and imaginative symbolism. The legendary artist Margaret Olley once advised Marea to “be true to yourself and paint what you like: be challenged and use your imagination”—a philosophy clearly reflected in her unique and evolving practice.

Her work is held in both public and private collections internationally, including in Australia, Europe, North America, and Asia. As Marea herself reflects, “A work of art is a playground for imagination, a place to reflect your character, hopes, dreams and feelings.”