Malcolm Sands (b. 1961, Sydney, Australia) is a contemporary painter and drawer based in the Hunter Valley, NSW. Working primarily with oil paint on board, oil paint on canvas, and various drawing media on paper, Sands is best known for his vibrant oil paintings that capture the essence of an idea through recurring motifs such as curves and prominent shapes. His work demonstrates a dynamic interplay between abstraction and representation, reflecting a deep engagement with both form and concept.

Sands’ artistic practice is rooted in a deeply personal and interpretative engagement with the landscape, informed by direct experience and a nuanced sensitivity to place. His work is characterized by an intuitive approach, prioritizing the expressive potential of colour, shape, and gesture. Notable projects include the Bylong Valley Paintings (2015–2019), where he sought to distil the essence of an idea through a process-driven methodology, and the Larapinta Paintings (2020–2023), in which the landscape evolved beyond a subject into an exploration of form, emotion, and perception. His compositions embody a profound sense of movement, inviting viewers to contemplate the relationship between land and memory.

Malcolm Sands has exhibited in significant group and solo exhibitions, including Seven Painters Exhibitions at John Paynter Gallery, Newcastle; Big Bad Land at Gallery 139, Newcastle; 9x5 at WWAS, Bondi; Larapinta Paintings at Straitjacket, Newcastle; and Tjoritja Travels at Scratch Artspace, Marrickville. His work is held in private collections. Sands attends weekly life drawing sessions and he has participated in artists’ expeditions to Central Australia and the Kimberley region of Western Australia. experiences that continue to inform and shape his evolving artistic practice.