ROBYN PHELAN, BIO & CV
Robyn Phelan is an artist, writer, and educator who lives and works in Naarm, Melbourne. Her practice includes sculptural ceramics, drawing, fieldwork, and installation. Robyn responds to a range of different sites that connect with nature or invest in physical habitation. She employs an intimate, embodied touch to her sculptural objects. She creates work that questions contemporary social, political, and environmental issues from an Australian perspective.
Robyn has created work for many group shows and more recently solo exhibitions. Robyn has been shortlisted for many curated and award exhibitions such as The Australian Ceramics Association, the Manningham Contemporary Ceramics Award, Wyndham Art Prize & the Klytie Pate Award. She has been awarded an Australia Council grant and various RMIT travel grants.
Robyn's professional background is in visual arts education, museums, curation, and management. She has been writing about contemporary art, craft, and ceramics for more than two decades. At RMIT she teaches ceramics and professional practice in the School of Art, where she is also a Ph.D. candidate. Her practice-led research questions the intersections of site, ceramics, and the body.
CURRENT POSITIONS
2019-current PhD Candidate, School of Art – Ceramics, RMIT University
Lecturer – RMIT University
Writer
EDUCATIONS
2004 – 2010. Bachelor of Fine Art (Ceramics), Honors, RMIT University
1997. Postgraduate Diploma of Fine Art (Art Curatorship and Museum Management), University of Melbourne
1987. Bachelor of Education (Arts & Crafts), Melbourne College of Advanced Education
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2021. To Dwell & Respond, Stockroom Kyneton
2021. Conversations From Landscape Road, CLAD Gallery, Bendigo Pottery, 2021
2020. Conversations With a Tree, Vitrine, Craft
2012. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Milestones for Two Centuries of Women Climbers, Mailbox 141, Flinders Lane
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2020. Vase & Flower Show, 7 Clovelly Road, Randwick
2020. Wyndham Art Prize, Wyndham Gallery
2019. Presenters Exhibition, Princes Wharf One, Hobart
2018. Material Memories, Queen Victoria Museum & Gallery, Launceston
2015. Storm In a Teacup, Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery
2014. The Course of Objects, Manly Art Gallery & Museum
AWARDS & GRANTS
2019. Higher Degree by Research Travel Grant, RMIT University
2011. Australia Council ArtStart Grant
2011. Scholarship Recipient, RMIT Honours Endowment Travelling Scholarship
2011. RMIT University Ceramics Honours Award for Excellence
2007. Mary & Lou Senini Student Art Award, McClelland Art Gallery
RESIDENCIES
2020-2021. Sandra Bowkett Woodfired Kiln & Studio, Tallarook
2017. Northcote Pottery Residency
2013. Travel to Berlin, Dresden, Munich, RMIT Honours Endowment Travelling Scholarship