Anna Caione

About Anna Caione

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

  • 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.

    1990
    Diploma in Interior Design, Melbourne College of Decoration.

  • 2010–current
    Academic Tutor Lecturer in Drawing & Design History, Swinburne University

    2016–2018
    Tutor Melbourne Polytechnic in Painting & Drawing

    2018
    Fellowship Study, Fine Art (Martenot Philosophy)-Milan, Italy

    2012
    Artist in Residence—Bourdeneuve, Betchat, France.

    2008–2010
    Heide Museum of Art, Melbourne, Education Manager.

    1994–1995
    Attended Albertina Academy of Fine Art of Turin.

  • 2018
    Finalist, Artbank Road Show

    2018
    Italian Australian Foundation International Fellowship ISSI (International Specialised Skills Institute: founded Sir James Gobbo)

    2018
    Finalist, Life Abstracted Prize, Cambridge Studio Art gallery, Collingwood, Melbourne

    2006
    Finalist, Honourable Mention, John Leslie Art Prize Exhibition, Gippsland Art Gallery, Finalist R&M McGivern Art Prize, Maroondah Art Gallery, Melbourne.

    2004
    Finalist & Honourable Mention John Leslie Art Prize Exhibition, Gippsland Art Gallery.

    Finalist Metro 5 Gallery Art Award, Melbourne, Australia. City of Moreland Arts Grant

    2003
    Second place SBS Centenary of Federation Art Award, Arts Victoria, International Cultural Exchange Grant.

    Moreland City Council: Cultural Exchange Grant.

    1999
    First Prize, Artists on Norton National Contemporary Art Award: Sydney

    1995
    Italy- studio volunteer experience for artist Zorio Gileberti ArtePovera Movement-Turin.

  • 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

  • 2021
    Online 6th International Biennale of Non-Objective Art-Que des femmes. Biennale internationale d’art non objectif à Pont-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

  • 2020
    Review Parallel Visions, SBS Radio 15 March

    2019
    Interview, J-Air 87.8 FM 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
    Crivellari, Arte, Progetto Maionaise, Italy, January edition.

    1999
    Review ‘Artist’s on Norton, SBS Radio 6.30pm, 20 November

  • 2020
    Parallel Visions, Museo Italiano, Co.As.It—Melbourne

    2015
    Imago Mundi Project-Luciano Benetton Collection, Milan Italy

    2013
    Dr Damien Smith, PROCESS / PRESENCE PROCESSO / PRESENZA, Melbourne

    2005
    Published by Bois De Chesne, Top Art & Food

    2004
    Melbourne Art Fair, Catalogue

    2003
    Damien Smith, Via Vai Arte in Valigia, touring exhibition, Italy & Australia.

    The SBS Federation Square Art Award, SBS: Special Broad Casting Service.

    2002
    Women Donne Via-By Italia-Australia, Counihan Gallery, Melbourne.

    1999
    ’99 Miniartextil Como-Fili di Luce, Studio Mimmo Totaro, Como, Italy

  • St Vincent’s 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