The Artist

Liana Vargas is a figurative oil painter based in Hahndorf, South Australia.

At 48 Liana decided to retire from dancing and pursue her life-long passion for painting. Enrolling as a full-time student at the Adelaide Central School of Art marked a significant shift in her pursuit of artistic expression.

Before moving away from performance, Liana had forged a 25 year career in flamenco dance theatre. She started dancing in Sydney under the guidance of Strictly Ballroom’s Antonio Vargas, who was also her partner at the time. She soon found herself dancing professionally in Europe, United Kingdom, America and South America.

Though she has transitioned away from theatre, its impact remains evident in Liana’s artwork. Her performances were characterised by her ability to resonate emotionally and forge connections with her audience, a skill she carries into her painting.

Bold and sure, Liana’s paintings show a willingness to express with courage and colour, capturing the essence, spirit and inner-glow of her subjects.

As well as painting and exhibiting Liana has also built a strong reputation as a generous and inspiring instructor. To compliment this are her Art Retreats for painters to attend in Australia and Europe.

Liana has created, on her own terms, a brilliant life of artistic expression.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Born 1963, Adelaide South Australia

Lives and works in Hahndorf, Adelaide Hills

EDUCATION
2019 Portrait Painting with Professor Timothy Allen, Rome

2014 Residency Award Scuola Internationale di Grafica, Venice

2012 Bachelor Visual Art, Adelaide Central School of Art, South Australia

AWARDS

2025 Prospect Portrait Prize, Finalist

2025 Smallacombe Portrait Prize, Finalist

2025 Jacksons International Art Prize, Short List

EXHIBITIONS

2025 Introducing The Resort Collection, Artists Private Gallery, Hahndorf

2024 SALA Open Artists Studio Gallery, Hahndorf

2022 Duthy Street Matador as Metaphor, Unley

2022 Shut me up, Shut me down, Atelier Crafers

2019 Duthy Street SALA Artists Exhibition, Unley

2018 Duthy Street SALA Artists Exhibition, Unley

2017 Flow of Consciousness, Kensington Gallery

2015 Group Exhibition, The Barn Gallery, Aldgate

2015 Line of Enquiry, Hahndorf Academy, Hahndorf

2014 The Venetians, Red Opus Art Space, Kensington

2014 VENICE, Elegant Decay, Rising Sun, Kensington

2014 Artists Voice Group Exhibition, Adelaide Fringe, Hahndorf Academy

2013 Loretto Spring Art Fair, Group Exhibition, Kensington

2013 Artists Voice SALA Group Exhibition, Hahndorf Academy

2012 In Good Company, Graduates,  Adelaide Central School of Art

2011 Art After SALA, Group Exhibition, Red Cross Gallery, Rundle St

2011 Espiritu 2, Solo Exhibition, Rising Sun, Kensington

2011 Espiritu, Solo Exhibition, Adelaide Fringe, Bakehouse Theatre

CREATED & DESIGNED ART RETREATS

2025 Eco Art Retreat, Spain

2023 Barcelona, Paris, Rome, Florence and Venice

2022 Queenstown, New Zealand

2022 Hobart, Tasmania

2021 Wilpena Pound, South Australia

2021 Limestone Coast, South Australia

2020 Clare Valley, South Australia

2019 Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Italy

2019 Tokyo, Kyoto, Japan

TEACHING

2018-Current Duthy Street Art, Unley

2012-Current Liana Vargas Art Tuition, Hahndorf