Deborah Halpern

Born 1957, Melbourne, Australia

Lives & Works – Melbourne (Warrandyte, Wurundjeri)

Deborah Halpern is multi-disciplinary artist who explores the mediums of sculpture, painting, ceramics, glass blowing and printmaking. Her work can be exuberant and whimsical but is also imbued with a deep artistry. Over her long career Halpern has produced an extraordinary body of work and through her numerous public sculptures has become well known and respected within the community.

Halpern has exhibited extensively around Australia and internationally and is the recipient of a number of awards and Australia Council grants. In 2021, she was awarded a The Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her contribution to the Arts, and in 2025 was announced as a finalist in the McClelland Sculpture Park & Gallery Maquette: Sculpture Award. She has completed various major public commissions including the National Palace Museum, Taiwan (2021), Point Leo Sculpture Park (2017), a major commission 'The Four Graces' for the m5 in Sydney (2019-2021), Power of Community, Beauty Park, City of Frankston (2002), the Spirit of Nilumbik, Eltham Town Square, Shire of Nilumik (2001), the Spirit of Enquiry, Australian National University, Canberra (2001) and Face Maze, Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne (1997) as well as a number of private commissions. Halpern’s work is held in several important collections in Australia and overseas, including Artbank, Australian National University, National Gallery of Australia, Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, Geelong Art Gallery, Heide Museum of Modern Art, Melbourne University Collection, National Gallery of Victoria, Osaka Sculpture Park, Japan, Queensland Art Gallery and Shepparton Art Gallery.