Lucy Dugan

is an artist based in Sydney, Australia, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the National Art School, Darlinghurst. Lucy’s practice explores femininity and the profound bond between individuals and the objects they accumulate over time. Through themes of beauty, nature, and death, her work investigates the ephemeral—capturing moments on the edge of disappearance, such as a flower dropping its final petal or an animal pausing to feed or rest. These gestures become symbols of life’s quiet rhythms and transitions.

Her interest lies in the emotional and symbolic weight of everyday items—picture frames, keepsakes, and sentimental objects—that people carry through their lives. These objects serve as vessels of memory and meaning, often representing attempts to preserve time, identity, and personal history. Through this lens, Lucy reflects on how we honour what is passing and how memory is embedded in material things.

Her research further explores female existence through cherished possessions that serve as vessels for stories, memories, and joy. By highlighting these artefacts, she illuminates the intricacies of women’s lives, showing how their possessions reflect personal experiences, cultural identity, and evolving aspirations. Each item becomes a tangible symbol of the multifaceted journey of womanhood, capturing strength, tenderness, history, and hope.

Her most significant body of work, Natura Morte, unfolds in two interconnected parts: Aerial Natura Morte and Objects Showcase. Together, they form a quiet yet powerful narrative of a life remembered. These works are a meditation on the things we hold dear—collections of objects, memories, and natural moments that, though fleeting, are preserved through attention and care. By placing everyday items alongside delicate traces of flora and fauna, Natura Morte becomes a reflection on the beauty of impermanence and the deeply human impulse to honour and hold onto what time cannot keep.