Ted Hillyer
Pulling Cray pots 2018
24×30.5cm oil on wood
$1,500
Ted Hillyer
A Feeling for Place: Mid North Coast Connections
21 February – 21 March 2026
A Feeling for Place: Mid North Coast Connections continues Bellingen painter Ted Hillyer’s life work of exploring poetic and imaginative motifs and themes, in close connection to his surrounding bush and coastal landscapes.
Hillyer’s collection of intimate works are relatable, from the sensuousness of bodysurfing or a siesta on the warm yellow beach sand, to youth playing around on a wooden jetty at a river pool, to the somber beauty of ancient eucalyptus against an intense blue sky, and to solitary self reflection with flowers in a kitchen window late at night.
PODCAST | Ted Hillyer “A feeling for Place: Mid North Coast Connections” 17:33min
Ted Hillyer
Self portrait in kitchen 2000s
77×50.5cm oil on canvas
$3,800
Ted Hillyer
The white surfboard 2005
61×50cm oil on canvas
$3,700
Ted Hillyer
Figures at pool with dog
24×29cm oil on board
$1,500
Ted Hillyer
Trees and fishermen 2018
30.5×40cm oil on canvas
$2,400
Ted Hillyer
The Yellow Cupboard 2012
100×100cm oil on canvas
$6,000
Ted Hillyer
Blue bikini 2000
51×40cm oil on canvas
$3,000
Ted Hillyer
Couple and tent 2015
30.5×26cm oil on wood
$1,500
Ted Hillyer
Skull and Shells
53×30.5cm oil on wood
$2,800
Ted Hillyer
Sawyers 2017
25×30cm oil on canvas
$1,500
Ted Hillyer
Jetty Divers
38×25cm oil on board
$1,800
Ted Hillyer
Boxers on verandah 1990s
28×28cm pastel and gouache
$1,200
Ted Hillyer
Self portrait 1980s
41×30cm oil on board
$2,400
Ted Hillyer
Figures at Pool 2017
60.5×31cm oil on canvas
$3,000
Ted Hillyer
Forest 1990s
92×91cm oil on canvas
$5,000
Ted Hillyer
Girls and innertube 2000s
28×40cm oil on board
$2,400
Ted Hillyer
Ocean Swimmers 2000s
30×24.5cm oil on board
$1,500
Ted Hillyer
Island 2015
30×30cm oil on canvas
$1,500
Ted Hillyer
Sketch for Lagoon
33×43cm oil on board
$2,400
Ted Hillyer was born in Campbelltown, NSW in 1936. He studied at the National Art School, East Sydney, from 1955 to 1959. In 1962, he and his wife, Kathy, settled in the Bellinger Valley. Both taught part-time to support his artistic pursuits.
Hillyer has created images of readily recognisable scenes of the region by using stylised forms, shapes and colour. These are connected by the interplay of light across the picture plane. His painting technique has been influenced by two North American regional artists, Edward Hopper and, to a lesser degree, Alex Colville. Studying Hopper helped Hillyer develop a way to incorporate the human presence in landscapes.
In this geometrically structured realistic technique, he has painted built and natural landscapes of this region. His body of work can be broadly grouped into three themes: the southern break wall and quarry in Coffs Harbour, swimming scenes of the Bellinger Valley, and natural landscapes of the Bellinger Valley and Glenreagh
Hillyer’s major aim in his painting is to portray the everyday joy and beauty of living in this area
