artist - curator - researcher
Venessa Possum is a Dharug Muringong-baragal woman acknowledging an Irish ancestry.
She is confirmed as a candidate in a Doctor of Philosophy in Fine Art and Craft at the Queensland College of Art Griffith University (2020). Previous studies include a Bachelor of Contemporary Indigenous Art (CAIA) and Bachelor of Fine Art in Honours / Awarded Chancellor University Medal (2014-17).
Prior to any Aboriginal identified visual art courses being delivered in Australia, she studied a Certificate in Visual Art with Honours at the National Art School (1986-88).
QUOTE
"Living languages are intervening everything I need to know and do. As an artist, I keep my options open, particularly in relation to materials. I am also reluctant to situate my art or research in a specific discipline, because I am collecting whatever emerges"
(Venessa dyubigil Possum 2023)
2023 Selected artist in resident Kandos / Cementa24
2022-23 Selected artist Penrith Regional Gallery "Undercurrents"
2022-23 Selected artist Blue Mountains Cultural Centre "Water Presence and Absence"
(Included presenting a public weaving program)
2020-21 Selected artist 22nd Biennale of Sydney Native Institute
(Included two publications)
2020 Selected artist and cultural consultant "Terra inFirma" Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts
(Terra InFirma - Highly commended at the IMAGinE Awards in 2021 /Curator Paul Howard)
2020 Selected artist Tarnanthi "Grandmother Lore/Law"
(Curator Amanda Jane Reynolds)
2020 Selected artist is residence and a solo exhibition, Hurstville Museum and Gallery
2019 Awarded Aboriginal Art Prize, Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts "Damara-Hand"
2019 Curator Q Theatre Penrith, muru yuu yura (murura yiyura)
Pathways and Peoples Connectivity, co-curator Nathan Sentance
(Included a publication in Audrey Journal)
2018 Lecturer Aboriginal Art and Culture, Queensland College of Art Griffith University
2017 Scholarship awarded, Candidate Doctor of Philosophy in Fine Art and Craft,
Queensland College of Art, Griffith University
2016 - 2017 Arrow Energy Scholarship
2015 - 2019, Stella Stories - Possum skin cloak reparations
Production assistant on "ngawiya maan," a film for "Gadi" at the Australian Museum
(Gadi - Winner of the IMAGinE ‘Exhibition Projects – Museums’ award)
2016 Volunteer traineeship - Griffith University Art Museum and Collection
2010 - 2013 Curator - Stories and Songs of the People, Bellingen, NSW
2012 - 2013 Borambola, Aboriginal women’s cultural workshops, Wagga Wagga, NSW
1994 - 1998 Curator and owner, Alfred Street Studios and Exhibition Space, Brisbane
1996 - 1998 Teacher – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit, TAFE QLD, Brisbane