Production - Employment - Recognitions
I’ve always maintained a belief in the importance of the integration of institutional education with practical workplace experience. As such, I’ve pursued a balance between my activities as an educator, an administrator, and a practicing artist endeavoring to see life as an experience to be undertaken with energy and a sense of adventure. This is why I’ve chosen a lifestyle that allows me to interact flexibly within a variety of cultural and social settings.
PRODUCTION HISTORY
2018 to present
Exploring and developing techniques and processes of 3D Printing.
2013 to 2018
Primates in Plato's Cave was conceived and developed over several years to support one of my major sculpture exhibitions regarding the fragile state of a 21st century civilisation less than adequately undertaking one of its primary responsibilities as a social guardian compassionately overseeing the welfare of its citizens and the environment.
2010
Smart Artz Gallery, East Melbourne.
Melbourne Art Show, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne.
2009
Moving Galleries and Creative Spaces WIYIM posters on Melbourne Metro Transit carriages.
Smart Artz Gallery, East Melbourne.
2004 to 2008
Span Galleries (solo), Melbourne.
Contemporary Sculpture Association (solo), Melbourne.
2003
Herons Gallery (group), Castlemaine.
2002
Private commission work.
2001
Span Galleries (solo), Melbourne.
2000
Span Galleries, (solo), Melbourne.
Contemporary Art Fair, Melbourne.
1998 to 1999
Span Galleries (solo), Melbourne.
1997
Melbourne International Festival.
Dairing Gallery (solo), Richmond.
Linden Gallery (group), St. Kilda.
Roar Galleries (solo), Fitzroy
Moomba Festival Float, Melbourne.
Tintern GGS (group), Ringwood East.
1996
Australian Contemporary Art Fair, Melbourne.
Tintern GGS (group), Ringwood East.
Roar Galleries (solo), Fitzroy.
1995
Roar Galleries (solo), Fitzroy.
Foy and Gibson Gallery (group), Collingwood.
Spencer Street Station (group), Melbourne.
Caulfield Grammar Art Show (group), Wheelers Hill.
Grand Central Gallery (solo), Melbourne.
National Sculpture Forum (group), Canberra.
1994
Australian Contemporary Art Fair, Melbourne.
Caulfield Grammar Art Show (group), Wheelers Hill.
Cultural Development Gallery, (group) Southbank.
Caulfield Arts Complex (group), Caulfield.
1993
Castillia Galleries (group), Selby.
Melbourne University (group), Melbourne.
Australian Sculpture Triennial, Melbourne.
Roar Galleries (group), Fitzroy.
Arts Victoria Gallery (group), South Melbourne.
Tintern GGS (group), Ringwood East.
1992
No Vacancy Gallery (solo), Melbourne.
World Trade Centre (2 person show), Melbourne.
World Congress Centre (2 person show), Melbourne.
1991
Friends of the Earth Gallery (2 person show), Fitzroy.
Doncaster Art Gallery (2 person show), Doncaster.
1976
UN Conference on Human Settlement (group photo), Montreal.
1975
Melbourne Town Hall (group photo), Melbourne.
1973
Museum Negara (group jewellery), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
EMPLOYMENT
1992 to present
Full time practice of art.
1990 to 1992
Co-editor:
Mask Magazine (Education Journal), Victorian Association of Drama in Education, Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia.
Lecturer (sessional):
Arts Education Methodology, Language, Literacy and Arts Education Department, Melbourne University, Melbourne, Australia.
1990 to 1994
Teacher Year 12 VCE Art:
Northern Metropolitan TAFE, University High Adult Evening School campus, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
1982 to 1990
Chairperson:
Visual and Performing Arts Faculty, Whitefriars College, Donvale, Victoria, Australia.
1980 to 1981
Director:
N.S.W. Regional Art Gallery at Broken Hill, New South Wales.
Deputy chairperson (elected post):
Regional Galleries Association of N.S.W., Sydney, N.S.W.,Australia.
1979 to 1980
Education Officer:
Council of Adult Education - The Arts Train travelling rural workshops, Weekend Workshops, and the Summer Metropolitan Arts programs, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
1977 to 1978
Teacher:
Tusbab Provincial High School, Madang, Papua New Guinea.
Artifacts collector:
Ramu River region of Madang Province, Papua New Guinea.
1974 to 1976
Head of Department:
Media Studies, Huntingdale Technical School, Oakleigh South, Victoria, Australia.
1972 to 1973
Lecturer:
Jewellery/Silversmithing and Photography, Fine and Applied Arts Faculty, Institiut Teknoloji Mara, Shah Alam, Malaysia.
1968 to 1972
Bachelor of Arts in applied arts and teaching certification:
Kean University (formerly Newark State College), Union, New Jersey, United States.
MEDIA REFERENCES
2012
Residence by Thomas Hamel. Publisher: Hardie Grant Books 2010: pg 95.
2005
Top Art and Food: Art and Eatery Guide – Melbourne, by Carole Bois de Chesne. Carole Bois de Chesne Design Pty. Ltd.
2000
Warrandyte Artists Video Production by Ann Keil-Taggart.
1998
Getaway (July), GTV9, Antarctic and Southern Ocean Science Centre.
1996
Contemporary Art Slide Education Resource by Sandra Ristway
1995
Melbourne – Our City, Our Culture by Julia Church, Hyland House.
1993
An Intrinsic Fantasy, Video by Don Hawkins, Midnight Productions.
RECOGNITIONS
1995
Who’s Who of Australian Visual Artists.
1982
Who’s Who in the Commonwealth.
1976
UN Certificate of Photographic Achievement.
Australian Photographic Society Award.
REVIEWS
“Your crucifix here is the centrepiece of all and is regarded with awe by most parishioners and visitors alike… people remark how poignant is the experience.”
Fr. Barry Caldwell, Eltham Parish, April 2003.
“… sculpture of amazing lightness described as spiders’ webs and computer-enhanced robots… lifelike forms that many artists would regard as armatures ready to receive wax or clay for the next stage of their fabrication. Intriguing.”
Jeff Makin, Herald Sun Arts Review, May 22, 2000.
“Rocco doesn’t deconstruct the conventions of portraiture. In some works, the connection with portraiture is evasive, but it’s the sculpture that conveys the presence of an identity.”
Robert Nelson, THE AGE, September 6, 1995.
“The mesh sculptures suggest computer generated imagery and will give the Arts Complex a stronger sense of identity and community focus.”
T. Rollison, Director – Caulfield Arts Complex, 1994.
“One of the most challenging, energetic, dynamic and unusual exhibitions we’ve hosted.”
J. Blakey, Director – Doncaster Gallery, August 1991.