ABOUT ANNA CAIONE


Artist Anna Caionet

My work fuses aspects of contemporary culture and my Italian heritage, creating a threshold between the realm of intangible memory and the physical realm of place. I endeavour to touch on both personal and universal experiences, made manifest through the use of materials with an everyday, familiar cast that, although abstracted, are resonant with shared associations.

I am also concerned with subjective understandings of matter and space, exploring the energies inherent in materials and their transformative properties. I often revitalise collected remnant fabrics and found objects in ways that at times suggest old historical surfaces, architecture and the landscape, working intuitively with gestural bodily movements to construct my compositions. My working method, which connects hand and fabric, is grounded in ‘automatism’, a concept based on the intuitive drive, the irrational, and the accidental occurrences during the process of creating. New York School abstractionist Robert Motherwell once defined automatism as ‘letting the work pour out, without any critical intervention or editing’, and for me this involves stretching, sewing, pulling, layering, cutting, adding and pouring as I apply, shape and harmonise a diversity of materials into a form of palimpsest.

Once the work has been built up, I manipulate the surface to expose the expressive layers of raw materials and allow the skeletal structures of the piece and its subconscious narrative to be revealed. Thus, the final artwork functions not only as a means of exploring the physical process of creation, but also as a vehicle for contemplation, encouraging the viewer to consider the less tangible atmosphere conceived within that inflects the visible outer form.

Artist Biography

Anna Caione is an Australian artist of Italian descent. She is currently a Ph.D. researcher at Federation University. She holds a Master of Arts by Research Monash University, Bachelor of Education in Visual Arts from Melbourne University, Bachelor of Fine Art, RMIT and completed a Graduate Diploma of Fine Arts, Accademia Albertina, Turin, Italy (1994-1995). She is a Course Convenor and Academic Tutor in the School of Design at Swinburne University of Technology, teaching across design history and design studio units. Anna has held numerous solo and group exhibitions and participated in over 45 exhibitions.

She has received a number of grants and awards. She was a finalist (twice)in the John Leslie Art Prize honorable mention in 2008, the Metro 5 Gallery Art Award, and McGivern Prize and was awarded the SBS Centenary of Federation Art Award. She had been selected for Artist in residency and fellowship programs -  Fellowship from the International Specialised Skills Institute to study Drawing in Milan. Artist in Residence at  St Vincents Hospital, Melbourne, Artist in Residence- Bourdeneuve, Betchat, France. In 2020 she was part of Melbourne Design Week in collaboration with the National Gallery of Victoria. Her research interests include Abstract Expressionism, Arte Povera, Renaissance art and contemporary art.   Anna has previously been represented by Gallery 101-(2004-2010) and Catherine Asquith Gallery- (2010-2013) and West End Art Space (2017-2019).  Her work is held in corporate and private collections nationally and internationally.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

2021-

Current PhD Researcher, Fine Arts (Exegesis,) Federation University

2002

Master of Arts by Research, Monash University, Melbourne.

1995

Diploma Fine Arts, ‘Accademia Albertina’, (The Academy Fine Arts), Turin, Italy.

1991

Bachelor of Education, (Visual Arts), The University Of Melbourne.

1994

Degree in Fine Arts, RMIT University, Melbourne, Major in Painting and Drawing,

1989

Diploma in Interior Design, Melbourne College of Decoration

Professional Engagements

2010-21

Accademic Tutor Lecturer in Drawing & Design History, Swinburne University

2016-18

Tutor Melbourne Polytechnic in Painting & Drawing

2018

Fellowship Study, Fine Art (Martenot Philosophy)-Milan, Italy

2012

Artist in Residence- Bourdeneuve,Betchat, France.

2008-10

Heide Museum of Art, Melbourne, Education Manager

2008-9

Artist in Residence St Vincents Hospital, Melbourne

1994-95

Attended Albertina Academy of Fine Art of Turin

Grants and Awards

2018Finalist Artbank Road Show
2018Italian Australian Foundation International Fellowship
ISSI (International Specialised Skills Institute: founded Sir James Gobbo)
2018Finalist, Life Abstracted Prize, Cambridge Studio Art gallery, Collingwood, Melbourne
2006Finalist, Honourable Mention, John Leslie Art Prize Exhibition, Gippsland Art Gallery,
Finalist R&M McGivern Art Prize, Maroondah Art Gallery, Melbourne.
2004Finalist & Honourable Mention John Leslie Art Prize Exhibition, Gippsland Art Gallery
Finalist Metro 5 Gallery Art Award, Melbourne, Australia.
City of Moreland Arts Grant
2003Second place SBS Centenary of Federation Art Award,
Arts Victoria, International Cultural Exchange Grant.
Moreland City Council: Cultural Exchange Grant.
1999First Prize Artists on Norton National Contemporary Art Award:Sydney
1995Italy- studio volunteer experience for artist Zorio Gileberti ArtePovera Movement-Turin

Solo Exhibitions

2021

Strato: Five Walls, Footscray, Melbourne

2019

White on White, West End Art Space, West Melbourne

2018

GESTO, West End Art Space, West Melbourne

2016

Disporre, Langford 120, North Melbourne

2013

Intreccio, Catherine Asquith Gallery, Collingwood, Melbourne

2011

Tessuti, Catherine Asquith Gallery, Collingwood, Melbourne

2008

Ingresso, Gallery 101, Melbourne.

2004

Polverė, Gallery 101, Melbourne.

2003

Span Galleries, Melbourne.

1999

Roar Studios, Fitzroy, Melbourne

Group Exhibitions

2021

Online 6th International Biennale of Non-Objective Art-Que des femmes. Biennale internationale d’art non objectif àPont-de-Claix, curated by Terri Brooks and Louise Blyton

2021

Parallel Visions, Museo Italiano, Melbourne-Continued

2020

#Abstraction, 4/3 Electra Street Bundaberg QLD

2020

2020 Parallel Visions Part of Melbourne Design Week, Museo Italiano, Melbourne

2019

Friends and Family, Daine Singer Gallery, Fitzroy

2019

Abstract Salon, Stephen McLaughlan Gallery, Melbourne

2019

Poetic Symbol: West End Art Space, West Melbourne

2018

Of Colour & Light: Victorian Women Abstract Artists, West End Art Space, Melbourne

2018

Life Abstracted, Cambridge Studio Art gallery, Collingwood, Melbourne

2018

The Exquisite Palette Show 2018, Tacit Galleries, Collingwood, Melbourne

2018

Edge, Langford 120, North Melbourne

2017

End year Exhibition, West End Art Space,West Melbourne

2016

The Art and Science of Communication in Multicultural Victoria, Poloron, Immigration Museum

2016

What Happened At the Pier-Supported by Multicultural Arts Victoria, Italian Museum, Melbourne

2015

Imago Mundi Project-Luciano Benetton Collection, Milan Italy

2015

Belle Arti Prize,Chapman & Bailey,Melbourne,

2013

End of Year Retrospective, Catherine Asquith, Collinwood Melbourne

2013

PROCESS / PRESENCE PROCESSO / PRESENZA, curated by Dr Damien Smith, Melbourne

2012

Yering Station Gallery, Yarra Glen, Victoria.

2011

End of Year Retrospective, Catherine Asquith, Collinwood Melbourne

2011

Pinoteca, presso il Castello di Palena,Abruzzo,Italy

2006

Whiteout, Span Galleries, Melbourne; Switchback Gallery, Gippsland.

2006

RG McGivern Art Prize Exhibition, Maroondah Art Gallery, Melbourne.

2006

John Leslie Art Prize Exhibition, Gippsland Art Gallery, Victoria.

2006

The Affordable Art Show, Gallery 101, Melbourne.

2005

Whiteout, Span Gallery, Melbourne (Touring Regional Victoria)

2005

Whiteout, Maroondah Art Gallery, Ringwood, Victoria White out, Maroondah.

2005

SBS Federation Square Art Award, exhibition and Immigration Museum, Melbourne

2004

Melbourne Art Fair 2004, Royal Exhibition Building, Represented by Gallery 101,
Melbourne

2004

GeNova ’04:Arte Di Ritorno, EuroCultural Festival, Genova, Italy.

2004

Via-Vai, Counihan Gallery, Brunswick, Victoria

2004

SBS Federation Square Art Award, Manningham Gallery, Melbourne;

2004

SBS Federation Square Art Award Horsham Regional Gallery, Melbourne.

2004

John Leslie Art Prize Exhibition, Gippsland Art Gallery.

2004

Art Award Finalist Exhibition, Metro 5 Galleries, Melbourne.

2004

Group show Abstraction/Asttrato Palazzo Cisterna, Turin, Italy.

2003

Movimento Rapido, Steps Gallery, Carlton, Victoria

2003

Seeing Red, Maroondah Gallery, Ringwood, Victoria

2003

Via Vai Arte in Valigi, Museo Castello Ducale, Basilica di Collemaggio, L’Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy.
Movimento, Gallery Irascible, FestaGroup event, Carlton, Victoria
Women-Donne-Via By Italia-Australia, Counihan Gallery, Melbourne,(collaborated with Italian artists.)

2003

Seta, Royal Exhibition Buildings, Melbourne

2003

Rosso, Yering Station Gallery, Yarra Glen

2003

Women’s Salon, Counihan Gallery, Brunswick

2001

Artists on Norton, Italo-Australian Art exhibition, Sydney.

1999

Artists Program, Mira Fine Art Galleries, Melbourne.
’99 Miniartextil Como-Fili di Luce, Gallery Studio Mimmo Totaro-Como, Italy.

1998

Maionese Project, En Plein Air Arte Contemporanea Galleria, Pinerolo, Piemonte, Italy

Selected Bibliography

2020

Review Paralell Visions, SBS Radio 15 March

2019

Interview, J-Air 87.8FM Arts Show Alex McCulloch

2018

Art Collector October-December 2018, pg.65

2018

Laura Egan, Il Globo, 1 August, A gesture on canvas: An exhibition ‘Gesto’ inspired by studies in Milan

2018

Interview 3RRR with Richard Watts-Smart Arts Program

2017

Dr Rita Wilson Monash University, Italian American Review- Summer 2017, Volume7, Calandra Italian American Institute, Queens College, New York

2017

A.Harper, 120 Collins publication,Issue 07-Autumn 2017

2016

S.Bavato, Il Globo, 18 July,Arte Per Creare Legsmi

2016

S.Bavato, Il Globo, 9 June, Quelle Storie Di gioa e incognite

2011

Art Collector July-September 2011, pg.34

2008

A.Waters , 120 Collins publication,Issue 07-Autumn 2017

2004

M. Backhouse, The Age, Domain, 13 March.

2003

H.Evans, The Age, Domain, 23 February.

2002

L. Gorden, Leader Newspaper, Brunswick, Moreland, 7 May.
G. Hubbard, Il Globo, 16 August.
M. Backhouse, The Age, Domain, 17 August.

1999

B. Crivellari, Arte, Progetto Maionaise, Italy, January edition.

1999

Review ‘Artist’s on Norton, SBS Radio 6.30pm, 20 November

Catalogues

2020Parallel Visions, Museo Italiano, Co.As.It- Melbourne
2015Imago Mundi Project-Luciano Benetton Collection, Milan Italy
2013Dr Damien Smith, PROCESS / PRESENCE PROCESSO / PRESENZA, Melbourne
2005Published by Bois De Chesne, Top Art & Food
2004Melbourne Art Fair, Catalogue
2003Damien Smith, Via Vai Arte in Valigia, touring exhibition, Italy & Australia.
The SBS Federation Square Art Award, SBS: Special Broad Casting Service.
2002Women Donne Via-By Italia-Australia, Counihan Gallery, Melbourne.
1999‘99 Miniartextil Como-Fili di Luce, Studio Mimmo Totaro, Como, Italy

Collections

St Vincents Hospital, Melbourne
Maroondah Art Gallery, Melbourne
SBS Federation Square, Melbourne 
Barbara Wilson, fashion, Melbourne
Smith & Tracey Architects, Melbourne
Conti Architects, Commission, Melbourne
ANZ Bank  Foyer, 91 William Street, Melbourne CBD
En Pleinaire Contemporary Art Gallery, Pinerolo, Piemonte, Italy
Private collections: Australia, Italy, Holland, Ireland


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