Penny Algar

Academic Qualifications
2009Master of Arts – Art in Public Space, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
1997Graduate Diploma of Applied Science -Environmental Horticulture, Burnley Horticultural College.
1979Graduate Diploma of Fine Art – Sculpture, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
1977Diploma of Education (Arts/Crafts Method) – Melbourne State College
1975Associate Diploma of Fine Art – Sculpture, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
 
Art Prizes
2005Saxton Speakers Prize, Bonanza exhibition, Contemporary Sculptors Association
2000/1Finalist Fundere Sculpture Prize, Yarra Sculpture Gallery
1998Kingfisher Sculpture Prize, Moreland City Council
 
Arts Grants
2009Moreland City Council Project Grant (with Melinda Venticich) for Gilpin H’Art
2008Arts Victoria for “Embodied Energy” exhibition
2008Moreland City Council – Major Project Grant for “Embodied Energy “exhibition
1983Australia Council – Visual Arts Board Grant
1981/2D.A.A.D Scholarship to Berlin (German Government Academic Exchange).
 
Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions
2012Stephen McLaughlan Gallery, Melbourne
2009Stephen McLaughlan Gallery, Melbourne
2009“Conversations in the Garden”, Orr St, RMIT
2006Manningham City Art Gallery, Doncaster
2006Stephen McLaughlan Gallery, Melbourne
2005Galerie Koenigshof, Bonn, Germany
1994Mechanics Institute Gallery, Brunswick
1991Christine Abraham’s Gallery, Melbourne
1985Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane
1984Christine Abraham’s Gallery, Melbourne
 
Group Exhibitions (selected)
2017“Red Gum”, Wangaratta Art Gallery
2016Libris Awards, Artspace McKay,
2014Swan Hill Print and Drawing Prize
2014Langford 120 Gallery, Melbourne
2013Libris Awards, Artspace Mackay
2011Lorne Sculpture 2011
2011“Artrecycle”, Incinerator Gallery
2010Williamstown Contemporary Art Prize
2008Wangaratta Sculpture Prize, Wangaratta Art Gallery
2008Stephen McLaughlan Gallery, Melbourne, “Works on Paper”
2006Shepparton Art Gallery, “Coathanger”, Shepparton
2006Yarra Sculpture Space, “Coathanger”, Collingwood
2003Stoney Creek Environmental Art Project, Maribyrnong City Council
2002/1Yarra Sculpture Space, Fundere Prize, Collingwood
2002Yarra Bank Park, Yarra Sculpture Trail “Terra Firma”, City of Boroondara
2001Counihan Gallery, Brunswick, City of Moreland Art Collection
1998/7CERES Environmental Park, Moreland Sculpture Prize
1997Mechanics Institute Gallery, Brunswick, “Save the Brickworks”
1994Roar Gallery, Fitzroy, “Teetering on Technology”
1990Box Hill City Art Gallery, Box Hill, Invitation Art Award
1987Queensland College of Art Gallery, Brisbane “Delight in Suspicion”
1987Community Gallery Rockhampton, “Seven Queensland Women Artists of Distinction”
1986Queensland College of Art Gallery, Brisbane, “The Demolition Show; A Documentation”
1985Queensland College of Art /Observatory Gallery Brisbane, “The Demolition Show”
1984Ballarat Art Gallery, Ballarat, “The Hugh Williamson Art Award”
1984Artspace, Sydney
1982Quergalerie, Berlin, “Klasse Tajiri”
1981Latrobe University, “Australian Sculpture Triennial”
1979Niagara Galleries, Richmond, “Australian Women Artists”
1978Latrobe University “Australian Contemporary Sculpture and Performance”
 
Curatorial
2012-
2018
Project Management, Art and Environment events, Euroa; collaborations between the Strathbogie Ranges Conservation Management Network. Euroa Primary School and local artists. Events include 2012 “Lepidoptera”, 2013 Stories From Country, 2014 Wild Strathbogie, 2016 & 2018 The Festival of Fungi
2017“Red Gum”, The story of the River Red Gum (Eucalyptus Camaldulensis), at the Wangaratta Art Gallery. Co-curator together Simone Nolan. Exhibiting artists; Lorraine Connelly Northey, Damien Wright and Penny Algar. The exhibition celebrated the cultural significance of an iconic Australian Eucalypt species and was enriched by a significant public program which included experts across a range of science based professions
2008Co- curator (with Edwina Bartlem), “Embodied Energy” Exhibition at the Counihan Gallery in Brunswick. Thirteen artists were invited to explore issues of sustainablility within their own art practice.
 
Public forums and workshops
2009Convenor (with Ann McGregor), Merri Creek, Art and Nature Walk in association with Counihan Gallery and “Walk” exhibition
2008Speaker, VEIL (Victorian Eco Innovation Lab) on Art and Waste
2008Co-chair (with Edwina Bartlem), “Art and Sustainability” public forum, Counihan Gallery
2006Radio Interview ABC Radio National; “The Deep End”
2002Coordinator (with Contemporary Sculptors Association), Koori Weaving Workshop
1998Radio interview 3RRR with Roger Taylor
1995Community representative Moreland City Council Open Space Group
1986Artist in residence; Brisbane Community Arts Centre.
 
Public Art and Landscape Design commissions
2010Hume City Council, public art concept plan for Craigieburn Family and Child Centre
2010Shortlist (with Fiona Hillary) Melbourne City Council laneway commissions
2009“Gilpin H’Art” (with Melinda Venticich) concept development to enhance Gilpin Park, Brunswick
2009Art and Environment garden, Brunswick Secondary College
2008Laneway commission, “Insect Ladder Pod” City of Greater Dandenong.
2002Landscape design, Dianella Community Health Centre, Meadow Heights;
2002Delhi Reserve Public Gallery project, Moonee Valley Council and Transurban
2001City of Greater Dandenong, Athol Rd public art project; with RMIT Public Art Unit.
2000Federation Garden project, Lyndale Primary School; public art and landscape design
2000AEDIS, “Artscape “(Artists and Environmental Designers in Schools), Mill Park Heights Primary School.
2000Youth Public Arts project, Broadmeadows; Hume City Council and Kangan TAFE.
1998Land Art project “Temple”; Moonee Ponds Creek, Glenroy; Moreland City Council.
1998Land Art” project; “Remnants”; Kelvin Thomson Park, Moreland City Council.
1999AEDIS (Artists and Environmental Designers in Schools) Brunswick South West Primary School
1998D.S. Aitken Reserve, Craigieburn, community arts project; Hume City Council.
 
Publications
2015“Wild Strathbogie at Euroa Primary School”, writers Penny Algar & Pauline Fraser, Imprint Vol. 50, No. 2
2013Penny Algar, “Art Revealing Nature”, writer Barbara Hall, Imprint Vol.48, No.2
 
Collections
 Artspace Mckay
 Moreland City Council
 National Gallery Australia
 Private collections Australia and Germany
 
Teaching
2010/11Guest Lecturer RMIT, Art in Public Space
2009/10Teacher, curator and assistant program co-ordinator, Dianella Community Health Centre, ATSI(Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Youth Arts program, “Landed”
2001/2Associate, RMIT Public Art Unit, external assessor Diploma of Public Art course
1984-6Sessional Lecturer Sculpture and Intermedia, Queensland College of Art.
1981Sessional teacher Sculpture, Box Hill TAFE Technical College
1978/96Victorian Education Department, art teacher in various Secondary schools