Biography

Neil Douglas Laredo – Biography

Neil Laredo is a multidisciplinary artist who has worked all his life in the making of his Art. From the early age of 8 he would spend time in his father’s workshop using his tools to make toys. Later in Technical School he was further able to develop his practical skills in Carpentry, and Metal work as well as developing his analytical processes, studying Technical Drawing and Solid geometry. It was also during these early years in the mid 1960’s that he was first exposed to the meaning of Art and for a brief but very significant time his concept of Art was challenged, something that would remain unresolved and in the subconscious for many years.

After leaving school he worked for some time as a trainee Draftsmen before leaving home.  Continually moving around Australia and overseas he found his art practice still wanting, searching for answers to questions he had not yet realised.  While living and working in Washington D.C. he twice exhibited paintings of the Australian landscape at the annual Australian Embassy Art Exhibition and also at the Australian Bi-Centenary celebrations at the Old Post Office in Washington D.C.

Neil Laredo holds an Associate Diploma of Fine Arts from the Western Sydney Institute of TAFE with Distinction and the Joan Levy prize for excellence a BA (Fine Art) from the University of Western Sydney, awarded the 1995 UWS Chancellor’s sculpture Prize.

While studying Neil also opened and ran the Nepean Art House Gallery in Western Sydney for two years. The gallery was an artist run initiative which among the many solo and group exhibitions it also held two TAFE Graduation Exhibitions, Exhibitions from the University of Western Sydney and also was part of Sydney’s Fringe Festival.

Born in Melbourne and now living in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, he has travelled and lived throughout many parts of Australia and overseas including England, Europe, Asia, USA, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and recently Japan.