iNFO
Elvis Richardson, (she/her) lives and works in Naarm, on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.
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IMAGE FRED KROH
Treasuring the intimacies of ordinary lives, Elvis Richardson collects and curates personalised objects and imagery she extracts from public sources and re-constructs them as the raw materials of her studio practice. Her works employ kitsch and formalist approaches and mediums to comment on taste, class, the sublime and her own agency as an artist when also trapped in an aspirational exposure-based system of certain economic precarity.
Richardson’s objects and images disrupt the everyday commodification’s of lifestyle to satirically expose the promises, disappointments and contradictions that we all live with.
Recent exhibitions include Melbourne Now: NGV (2023); Future40: Performance Space (2023); Canberra Art Biennale Contour 556: ACT (2022); Force Fields, Kyneton Contemporary Art Triennial (2018); Unfinished Business: Perspectives on art and feminism, Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Melbourne (2018); Versus Rodin: Bodies across space and time, Art Gallery of South Australia (2017); CCP Declares: On the Social Contract, Centre for Contemporary Photography, Melbourne (2016); Octopus 15: Lost and Profound, Gertrude Contemporary, Melbourne (2015); and Transmission: Legacies of The Television Age, National Gallery of Victoria (2015).
Richardson has been the director of a number of artist run initiatives including First Draft (96/97), Elastic (99/00), Ocular Lab (08/10) DEATH BE KIND (2010/12) and True Estate (2017/18).
Richardson’s works are held in the collections of National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of NSW, Heide Museum of Art, Art Gallery of Ballarat, Artbank, City of Fremantle, MerriBek Council and the Cruthers Collection of Women’s Art.
Richardson is the founding editor of CoUNTess a blog publishing data on gender representation in the Australian visual arts sector.
The first Countess Report authored by Richardson, was released in 2016 a sector wide bench marking data collection project, and which re-launched as Countess.Report in 2017 in collaboration with Amy Prcevich and Miranda Samuels and producing the updated 2019 Countess Report.
CV.
SELECTED RECENT SOLO AND GROUP EXHIBTIONS
2024
Unsolved Murder 1965, Void_Melbourne
Lorne Sculpture Biennale
2023
Melbourne Now, National Gallery of Victoria
Mural Commission for Future40 at Performance Space, Sydney
Room to Create, Collingwood Yards
Resartis, Collingwood
Spring1888, Art Fair with Void_Melbourne
2022
2022 Canberra Art Biennale, Contour556, ACT
2021
Group Show Hugo Michell Gallery, Adelaide
Care Project curated by Macushla Robinson, Bus Projects, Melbourne
Solo: Settlement and the Gatekeepers, Hugo Michell Gallery, Adelaide and Occassional Space, Melbourne
2019
Concrete, Jam Factory, Adelaide (touring)
Solo: Time Frames @ Galerie Pompom
For Love or Money, curated by Sophia Chai, Hawthorne Arts Centre, Melbourne
Fires, Fires Gallery, curated by Nicholas Kleindenst, Sydney 2018
Force Fields, Kyneton Contemporary Art Triennale, VIC
Elvis Richardson’s PhD Show, True Estate Gallery, Melbourne
True Estate, Counihan Gallery, Melbourne and Knulp, Sydney
Borrowed Scenery, curated by Jasmine Kean, Campbelltown Art Centre, with Countess
Vs Rodin curated by Leigh Robb, Art Gallery of South Australia
Sports – curated by Ross Taylor, Kyneton Stockroom
Open House, True Estate Gallery, Melbourne
Boundless Volumes, Parliament House Gallery, Canberra
Unfinished Business: Perspectives on Art and Feminism, ACCA, Melbourne
Public Billboards for Moonee Valley Council and Incinerator Art Gallery
Video Contemporary curated by Serena Bentley, Sydney Contemporary, Carraigeworks
2016
Settlement @ Hugo Michell Gallery, Adelaide
Vote For Me! Curated by Powerhouse, Format Gallery, Adelaide
Name That Artist! Ideas Platform, Artspace Sydney
Future Feminist Archive @ Cross Art Projects, Sydney
CCP Declares! curated by Pip Murray @ Centre for Contemporary Photography
Representing Hugo Michell Gallery at Spring Art Fair, Melbourne
FEMMO™, with Virginia Fraser, BoxCopy, Brisbane.
Octopus 2015 Lost and Profound, curated by Daniel Mudie Cunningham, Gertrude
Contemporary Melbourne
Exhibit A curated by Carrie Miller, The Lock Up, Newcastle
Crafted Histories curated by Lisa Byrne, Maroondah Art Gallery, Melbourne
Finalist Fremantle Print Art Award (Highly Commended)
Representing gallerie pompom at Sydney Contemporary Art Fair
2014
Rendezvoodoo curated by Bridgid Noone, Fontanelle Gallery, Adelaide
Curating Feminism, Sydney College of the Arts Galleries, Sydney
Benglis 73/74, curated by Geoff Newton, Sutton Project Space, Melbourne
Re-raising Consciousness curated by Fayen deEvie, TCB, Melbourne
FIN, Utopian Slumps, Melbourne
Winner ROI Art Prize
2013
National Housing Search Centre for Contemporary Photography, Melbourne
Slide Show Land, Nellie Castan Gallery, Melbourne
Game On curated by Toni Bailey, Casula Powerhouse, Sydney
Dirt Ruins and Dust curated by Zanny Begg, Tin Sheds Gallery, University of Sydney
Regimes of Value curated by Elizabeth Gower VCA Gallery
CoUNTess @ Rae and Bennett Gallery Melbourne 2012
Because I did it first, Hugo Michell Gallery, Adelaide
Ocular Lab Inc. VCA Margaret Lawrence Gallery, Melbourne
Westpac Redlands Art Prize, National Art School, Sydney
2011
It's about time, DEATH BE KIND, Melbourne
Have you ever, Hotel Lincoln Art Projects in partnership with the Ian Potter Museum of Art
The fall before the fall, UTS Gallery, Sydney (with Daniel Mudie Cunningham)
Trophy Wife, curated by Sarah Jones, DEATH BE KIND, Melbourne
2010
DEATH BE KIND Gallery founder and Director Melbourne
Because I am different – Hugo Michell Gallery, Adelaide
Because I am Lucky – Conical Melbourne
Housed - VCA Margaret Lawrence Gallery Melbourne
Illume – Campletown Arts Center commissioned building projection
Reality Check – Hazelhurst Regional Gallery curated by Daniel M Cunningham
Photographer Unknown- curated by Kyla McFarlane, Monash University Museum of Art
2008
Televisuals/Salute Elvis, Utopian Slumps, Melbourne
Now 7 Years Later - Freemantle Arts Center, Freemantle
Finalist – Basil Sellers Art Prize Ian Potter Museum, Melbourne
Dream Home – Plimsoll Gallery, Hobart curated by Mary Pridmore 2007
Ocular Notes – George Patton Gallery, Melbourne University
An edge meets an edge – Edith Cowan University Spectrum Project Space
Clip Art – curated by Daniel Mudie Cunningham, First Draft Sydney
2006
Domain – temporary public art project Canberra
If you leave me can I come too? Curated by Bec Dean, Australian Centre for Photography
Shelf Life – curated by Daniel Mudie Cunningham MOP, Sydney
Tomorrow Again – curated by Scott Donovan, Artspace Sydney
2005
Predictive TXT Hamish Mackay Gallery, NZ
Room 35 Gitte Weiss Gallery, Sydney
EDUCATION
2019 – PhD Deakin University
2002 – MFA Columbia University, New York
1995 - MA University of New South Wales
1992 – BFA University of New South Wales
AWARDS
Australia Council Individual Project Grant 2018
Creative Victoria Individual Project Grant 2018
Second Prize Fremantle Art Prize 2016
Australia Council Individual Project Grant 2015
Winner ROI Art Prize 2014
Columbia University Presidents and Provosts Initiative Award and Grant 2003
The Anne & Gordon Samstag International Visual Arts Scholarship 2000
NAVA Artist Grants 2005, 2010
PUBLICATIONS
Elastic a Printed Project 2002
And the rest is silence – Death be Kind 2010
CoUNTess: SPOILING ILLUSIONS since 2008 co-authored with Melinda Rackham 2021
DOWNLOAD CV ︎︎︎
2024
Unsolved Murder 1965, Void_Melbourne
Lorne Sculpture Biennale
2023
Melbourne Now, National Gallery of Victoria
Mural Commission for Future40 at Performance Space, Sydney
Room to Create, Collingwood Yards
Resartis, Collingwood
Spring1888, Art Fair with Void_Melbourne
2022
2022 Canberra Art Biennale, Contour556, ACT
2021
Group Show Hugo Michell Gallery, Adelaide
Care Project curated by Macushla Robinson, Bus Projects, Melbourne
2020
Solo: Settlement and the Gatekeepers, Hugo Michell Gallery, Adelaide and Occassional Space, Melbourne
2019
Concrete, Jam Factory, Adelaide (touring)
Solo: Time Frames @ Galerie Pompom
For Love or Money, curated by Sophia Chai, Hawthorne Arts Centre, Melbourne
Fires, Fires Gallery, curated by Nicholas Kleindenst, Sydney 2018
Force Fields, Kyneton Contemporary Art Triennale, VIC
Elvis Richardson’s PhD Show, True Estate Gallery, Melbourne
True Estate, Counihan Gallery, Melbourne and Knulp, Sydney
Borrowed Scenery, curated by Jasmine Kean, Campbelltown Art Centre, with Countess
2017
Vs Rodin curated by Leigh Robb, Art Gallery of South Australia
Sports – curated by Ross Taylor, Kyneton Stockroom
Open House, True Estate Gallery, Melbourne
Boundless Volumes, Parliament House Gallery, Canberra
Unfinished Business: Perspectives on Art and Feminism, ACCA, Melbourne
Public Billboards for Moonee Valley Council and Incinerator Art Gallery
Video Contemporary curated by Serena Bentley, Sydney Contemporary, Carraigeworks
2016
Settlement @ Hugo Michell Gallery, Adelaide
Vote For Me! Curated by Powerhouse, Format Gallery, Adelaide
Name That Artist! Ideas Platform, Artspace Sydney
Future Feminist Archive @ Cross Art Projects, Sydney
CCP Declares! curated by Pip Murray @ Centre for Contemporary Photography
Representing Hugo Michell Gallery at Spring Art Fair, Melbourne
2015
FEMMO™, with Virginia Fraser, BoxCopy, Brisbane.
Octopus 2015 Lost and Profound, curated by Daniel Mudie Cunningham, Gertrude
Contemporary Melbourne
Exhibit A curated by Carrie Miller, The Lock Up, Newcastle
Crafted Histories curated by Lisa Byrne, Maroondah Art Gallery, Melbourne
Finalist Fremantle Print Art Award (Highly Commended)
Representing gallerie pompom at Sydney Contemporary Art Fair
2014
Rendezvoodoo curated by Bridgid Noone, Fontanelle Gallery, Adelaide
Curating Feminism, Sydney College of the Arts Galleries, Sydney
Benglis 73/74, curated by Geoff Newton, Sutton Project Space, Melbourne
Re-raising Consciousness curated by Fayen deEvie, TCB, Melbourne
FIN, Utopian Slumps, Melbourne
Winner ROI Art Prize
2013
National Housing Search Centre for Contemporary Photography, Melbourne
Slide Show Land, Nellie Castan Gallery, Melbourne
Game On curated by Toni Bailey, Casula Powerhouse, Sydney
Dirt Ruins and Dust curated by Zanny Begg, Tin Sheds Gallery, University of Sydney
Regimes of Value curated by Elizabeth Gower VCA Gallery
CoUNTess @ Rae and Bennett Gallery Melbourne 2012
Because I did it first, Hugo Michell Gallery, Adelaide
Ocular Lab Inc. VCA Margaret Lawrence Gallery, Melbourne
Westpac Redlands Art Prize, National Art School, Sydney
2011
It's about time, DEATH BE KIND, Melbourne
Have you ever, Hotel Lincoln Art Projects in partnership with the Ian Potter Museum of Art
The fall before the fall, UTS Gallery, Sydney (with Daniel Mudie Cunningham)
Trophy Wife, curated by Sarah Jones, DEATH BE KIND, Melbourne
2010
DEATH BE KIND Gallery founder and Director Melbourne
Because I am different – Hugo Michell Gallery, Adelaide
Because I am Lucky – Conical Melbourne
2009
Housed - VCA Margaret Lawrence Gallery Melbourne
Illume – Campletown Arts Center commissioned building projection
Reality Check – Hazelhurst Regional Gallery curated by Daniel M Cunningham
Photographer Unknown- curated by Kyla McFarlane, Monash University Museum of Art
2008
Televisuals/Salute Elvis, Utopian Slumps, Melbourne
Now 7 Years Later - Freemantle Arts Center, Freemantle
Finalist – Basil Sellers Art Prize Ian Potter Museum, Melbourne
Dream Home – Plimsoll Gallery, Hobart curated by Mary Pridmore 2007
Ocular Notes – George Patton Gallery, Melbourne University
An edge meets an edge – Edith Cowan University Spectrum Project Space
Clip Art – curated by Daniel Mudie Cunningham, First Draft Sydney
2006
Domain – temporary public art project Canberra
If you leave me can I come too? Curated by Bec Dean, Australian Centre for Photography
Shelf Life – curated by Daniel Mudie Cunningham MOP, Sydney
Tomorrow Again – curated by Scott Donovan, Artspace Sydney
2005
Predictive TXT Hamish Mackay Gallery, NZ
Room 35 Gitte Weiss Gallery, Sydney
EDUCATION
2019 – PhD Deakin University
2002 – MFA Columbia University, New York
1995 - MA University of New South Wales
1992 – BFA University of New South Wales
Australia Council Individual Project Grant 2018
Creative Victoria Individual Project Grant 2018
Second Prize Fremantle Art Prize 2016
Australia Council Individual Project Grant 2015
Winner ROI Art Prize 2014
Columbia University Presidents and Provosts Initiative Award and Grant 2003
The Anne & Gordon Samstag International Visual Arts Scholarship 2000
NAVA Artist Grants 2005, 2010
PUBLICATIONS
Elastic a Printed Project 2002
And the rest is silence – Death be Kind 2010
CoUNTess: SPOILING ILLUSIONS since 2008 co-authored with Melinda Rackham 2021
DOWNLOAD CV ︎︎︎