Lionia Art

Lionia Art is a gallery and online art shop at 538 Chapel Street in South Yarra, presenting the work of Melbourne-based portrait artist Lionia alongside selected visiting artists. The collection includes original works, limited editions and Deluxe artworks on card. The Deluxe pieces begin as high-quality artworks before being re-imagined and hand-worked, while the original works include mixed-media paintings using materials such as acrylic and gold leaf. The website also lists work by artists including Laurence Pang, Irina Denisova and Nancy Cover, available from the gallery for limited periods.

Lionia is best known for her large-scale ‘Faces of the World’ portraits, shaped by her interest in character and the beauty of cultural diversity. Her practice also moves into more abstract and ethereal territory, with contemporary pieces featuring glossy and gold highlights. The result is a collection that ranges from recognisable portraiture to more atmospheric work, giving visitors a chance to see different sides of her artistic approach rather than a single fixed style.

The gallery’s exhibition events are a notable part of the experience. Rather than presenting art alone, Lionia describes them as full sensory occasions combining artwork with music and live performance. Past events have included Japanese taiko drummers, Brazilian carnival dancers, Spanish flamenco and Pacific Island performers. These events give the gallery a broader cultural and performance focus, although the regular gallery visit is also suited to taking time with the artwork at your own pace.

Lionia’s background adds context to the work. Born in Portugal and raised partly among her family’s orchards and vineyards near Lisbon, she later migrated to Australia and studied at RMIT University. Her earlier career included fashion design, work with Chanel and a role at Net-A-Porter in London, before she returned to Australia and developed customised wall art and large-scale portrait work. Her art has appeared in Melbourne interiors, on television and at Monash Children’s Hospital. For visitors, Lionia Art suits anyone interested in contemporary portraiture, cultural themes and collecting artwork in different formats. Solo visitors can browse the collection quietly, while art-focused pairs or small groups may find the exhibitions and live events a more social way to visit. Families may also appreciate the accessible connection between visual art, music and performance at selected events.