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Biography

Heidi Kenyon defines her practice by her intuitive process of ‘making’.  She is inspired by commonplace materials and objects, and has developed an ‘innovative and original’ approach to working with [materials] that is ‘poetic while avoiding the pitfalls of cliché’.

Heidi recently completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) at the South Australian School of Art, University of South Australia, graduating with First Class Honours.   In each year of her undergraduate and Honours studies Heidi was included on the University of South Australia Dean’s or Chancellor’s Merit List. 

Heidi has exhibited in various group shows including the Hatched National Graduate Show, a survey exhibition of 61 top visual arts graduates from 20 art schools across Australia.  Heidi conducted a radio interview for this show on Perth’s RTR FM, and her work was reviewed in the recent article ‘State of Play’ in the Weekend Australian.   Some of Heidi’s honours work was also featured in the first edition of the new national Art Magazine, Art World. 

Heidi also recently exhibited in the Helpmann Academy Graduate Exhibition, for which she was awarded the People’s Choice Award (Peter Walker Fine Art Gallery), and First (an exhibition of work by First Class Honours Students graduating from the South Australian School of Art). 

Artist Statement:

My practice is defined by my intuitive process of ‘making’ more than a common material or theme.  Recent investigations have included leaf cut-outs, vinyl records, experiments with light and shadow, PVA glue skins, photographic images, paper and clay.

I am motivated by the complexity of common materials and found objects, both natural and human-made.  I am fascinated by the memories they contain, and their capacity for storytelling, be it personal, political or cultural.  By exploring nuances in ordinary things, my work seeks to encourage people to find meaning in the everyday objects and rituals of their lives.

Tertiary Education:

2006-2007: University of South Australia, Bachelor of Visual Arts Honours (First Class)

2002-2005: University of South Australia, Bachelor of Visual Arts (Specialisation)

Solo Exhibitions:

August-October 2005: Fifth Floor, Grote Street Public Library, Adelaide
April-May 2004: you know what they say about romance, Mojo West, 258a Hindley St, Adelaide.

Upcoming Exhibition:

November-December 2008: Project Space, Contemporary Art Centre of South Australia, Adelaide

Selected Group Exhibitions:

2008 Hatched National Graduate Show, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts
2008 Helpmann Academy Graduate Exhibition, Drill Hall, Torrens Parade Ground, Adelaide
2008 First (First Class Honours exhibition), Liverpool St, Adelaide
2008 Fringe Mini Art Exhibition, Fringe Factory Galleries, Ranelagh St, Adelaide
2007 Puncture, South Australian School of Art Graduate Exhibition, SASA Gallery, University of South Australia, Adelaide
2007 SALA Festival, Snack Bar Art Space, Adelaide CBD
2006 My Happiness Exhibition, Tin Cat Café, 107 Rundle St, Kent Town
2006 Fringe Festival, Canopy, Flightpath Architects, 101 Hindley St Adelaide
2005 outside, looking in…Michael Murray Centre, Westminster School, Marion
2005 if you wanted the sky, Liverpool Street Gallery, Adelaide
2004 The Last Picture Show, South Australian School of Art Graduate Exhibition , University of South Australia, Underdale
2004 SALA Festival, 20 x 20 Portrait Exhibition, N Gallery, University of South Australia, Underdale
2003 SALA Festival, Traffic, Radio Adelaide front windows, 228 North Tce, Adelaide

Curated Exhibitions:

July 2005: outside, looking in…Michael Murray Centre, Westminster School, Marion

Selected Bibliography:

Allen, L, ‘Evocative and Intricate Artwork a Favourite’, Update Arts Magazine, vol. 15, no. 2, issue 60, June-August 2008, p. 7.

Snell, T, ‘State of Play’, The Weekend Australian, Review, May 3-4 2008, pp. 18-19.

Interview for Hatched 2008 with Meri Fatin. Morning Magazine, RTR FM 92.1, Wednesday April 9, 2008.

Sankey C, ‘How Long Was I Dreaming For?’, On Dit, vol. 76, ed. 2 2008, p. 33.

‘Avocado by choice’, The Advertiser, Wednesday April 2, 2008, p. 27.

Campbell, L,  ‘Heidi Kenyon: An Eye For Detail’, Artist in Residence, SA Life, vol. 5, no. 3, March 2008, p.90.

‘Graduate Exhibitions’, Art World, Issue 1, February/March 2008, p. 152.

Citations: Independent Weekly, Saturday 25th February 2006

dB Magazine, Issue 377, 8th - 21st February 2006

Rip It Up Magazine, Issue 837, 7th - 13th July 2005

Awards:

Finalist, Adelaide Bank Award 2008
People’s Choice Award, Peter Walker Fine Art, Helpmann Graduate Exhibition 2008
University of South Australia Chancellor’s Merit List 2007, 2004
University of South Australia Dean’s Merit List 2002, 2003, 2005
First Prize, Justice Portfolio Art Competition 2001

Professional Affiliations:

Member, National Association for the Visual Arts
Member, Contemporary Art Centre of South Australia