Qualifications
2009 Master of Visual Arts, Monash University
2006 Diploma of Art (Visual Art), Victoria University
1993 Bachelor of Arts (English, Australian Studies), University of Queensland
Solo exhibitions
2010 Deep Structure, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery (Niche Gallery), QLD
2009 Memory Surfacing, Angela Robarts-Bird Gallery, Gasworks Arts Park, Albert Park, VIC
2009 Maps of the Heart, Gargett Gallery, Gargett, QLD
2008 Sand Traveller, Brunswick Street Gallery, Fitzroy, VIC
2007 Immersion, Mackay Town Hall Gallery, Mackay, QLD
Collaborative projects
2011 Carousel, Light Collective (Wanda Bennett, Fiona Bishop, Magdy Shiha, Tracey Johnson),
Mackay Festival of Arts, QLD
2010 Art By Night, Light Collective, Paxton's Warehouse, Mackay, QLD
Public art
2011 Concept Design for 3D installation for new Mackay Base Hospital
Selected group exhibitions
2011 Strand Ephemera, Townsville, QLD
Tree of Life, Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW
Printbank Awards, Artspace Mackay, QLD
2010 Connect10, Level 17 Artspace, Flinders St, Melbourne, VIC
Hiromi Hotel Mackay Art Farm, Mackay, QLD
Caldera Art, Murwillumbah, NSW
Linden Postcard Show, Melbourne, VIC
Art on Show, Mackay, QLD
2009 Rio Tinto Alcan Martin Hansen Art Awards, Gladstone Regional Art Gallery, QLD
Shi!ft, Reverse Garbage, West End, QLD
Subject Matters, Artspace Mackay, QLD
Artstreet, Sydney Street, Mackay, QLD
Art on Show, Mackay, QLD
Whitsunday Marine Art Show, Airlie Beach, QLD
Sarina Art Extravaganza, Sarina, QLD
2008 Re:Connect, Level 17 Artspace, Flinders St, Melbourne, VIC
Rio Tinto Alcan Martin Hansen Art Awards, Gladstone Regional Art Gallery, QLD
Regional Art Awards, Flying Arts, QLD
2007 Metamorphosis, Tracey Johnson & Jenny Leigh, Gallery 314, Richmond, VIC
Rio Tinto Aluminium Martin Hansen Art Awards, Gladstone Regional Art Gallery, QLD
Flying Arts Regional Art Award, Rockhampton Art Gallery, QLD
RAW07: Regional Artist Women: Belonging, Lagoons Gallery, Mackay, QLD
Landcare and Wildlife Exhibition, Arthouse Gallery, Mackay, QLD
20 Perspectives, Dinner Plain, VIC
The Art4Aid Prize, World Vision, Victorian Society of Artists' Gallery, East Melbourne, VIC
Works on Paper, Brunswick Street Gallery, Fitzroy, VIC
Light of Life, Centenary Religious Art Prize, CCTC, Mulgrave, VIC
2006 Victoria University Graduate Exhibition, VU Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
Victoria University Art Prize, VU Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
Victorian Campus Art Prize & Exhibition, Per Square Metre, VIC
2005 Homage to Modern Masters, Port Art Gallery, Port Melbourne, VIC
Victoria University Art Prize, Fitzroy Gallery, VIC
Victorian Campus Art Prize & Exhibition, Box Hill Community Arts Centre, VIC
1993 Fringe Festival Group Exhibition, Darwin Visual Arts Association, Darwin, NT
Christmas Exhibition, Darwin Visual Arts Association, Darwin, NT
Arts projects
2011 Strand Ephemera, QLD: Community Workshops
2008-11 River Rock to Mountain Top Festival, QLD: Artist in Schools and Community
2009 Bowen, Emerald & Marian, QLD, Artist in Schools and Community
2005 Hume City Council, VIC: Cultural Programs Coordinator
2002 Hume City Council, VIC: Special Events Coordinator
1997 Pine Creek Community Government Council, NT: Arts & Recreation Officer
1995 Festival of Darwin, NT: Senior Projects Officer
1993 Northern Territory Arts Council, NT: Community Arts & Cultural Development Officer
1990 Darwin Symphony Orchestra in Katherine Gorge, NT: Local Coordinator
1990 Yulngu Art & Craft Workshops, Katherine, NT: Workshop Coordinator
1989 Katherine Arts Festival, NT: Coordinator
Media & publications
The Cliff and the Sea, Milk Crate Press, Melbourne 2011, pp 22, 25, 34
Art By Night Catalogue, Light Collective , Mackay 2010
ABC Radio Interview, Art By Night, 23rd July 2010
ABC Radio Interview, Maps of the Heart, 1st July, 2009
Artist's statement
Fractal patterns are everywhere I look: in river systems, cellular structures, crystalline rock fractures, galaxies, aerial maps of human activity and in the human body - even wild and unpredictable chaos has patterns of its own. Our habits, bodies, and behaviours all echo the off-beat symmetry of the fractal patterns around us, and this speaks to me of belonging, of an embeddedness in the natural world.
I often use found and recycled materials in my work, which revolves around the themes of transformation and regeneration. I am interested in the natural world and the way our fractal selves are deeply connected to that world. The flux of fracturing and re-making in natural processes seems to be mirrored in our own human experience, and foundational in art-making.
Exploring the unknown is important to me in the creative process. I work intuitively with the natural tendencies of the materials to see what they are suggesting, being a co-creator in a way. I experiment with many different kinds of art forms, including 3D objects, painting, printmaking, photography, installations, light based and ephemeral works.
I enjoy collaborating with other artists - embarking on a creative journey together is very energising, opening up a myriad of possibilities and providing a community of support. I have facilitated many community based art projects, and like to see what the creative process brings when people work together in a hands-on workshop environment.
I have lived in many places around Australia, including the Northern Territory, northern NSW and Melbourne, and now live near Mackay, QLD. I am a full time practising artist and have recently completed a Master of Visual Arts at Monash University.