Training and Awards
I am indebted to several government agencies and educational institutions for my professional development over the past three decades. In acknowledgement, I have listed them under the categories of accreditation, grants and fellowships, and other.
Relevant accreditation
2023
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment from Central Queensland University
A selection of registered training organisations require their staff to maintain this national accreditation, which demonstrates competency in developing, delivering and assessing courses.
2022
Master of Education (TESOL) with distinction from Queensland University of Technology
This degree has not only enhanced my teaching skills, but also provided me with a framework to address issues associated with migration. I regularly tutor migrants and refugees through the Australian Migrant Education Program (AMEP).
2020
Doctor of Philosophy from Griffith University
The research focus for my PhD was the agency of papercutting in the post-digital era. The premise was that if perforated paper, in the form of a jacquard weaving loom card, catalysed the development of digital technology, then its many iterations should be programable using papercuts. The project involved converting papercut motifs into a diversity of media including: 3d printed aluminum, lasercut steel, laser etched sandstone, augmented reality, and cast bronze.
1999
Bachelor of Visual Arts from Griffith University
My first degree developed fundamental skills across a diversity of media including: photography, sculpture, painting, printmaking, and jewelry making.
Relevant grants and fellowships
2024
The Chey Fellowship from
Western Sydney University
This bursary was graciously offered by the university to develop a series of sculptures using copper, which were exhibition at the Institute of Australian and Chinese Arts and Culture.
2022
Regional Art Development Fund (RADF)
Logan City Council Grant
Through this support, I was able to produce artwork and an education kit for an exhibition at Logan Art Gallery.
2015
Arts Queensland
Individual Fund Grant
With this grant, I created a participatory art project which engaged over 100 children across the United States, Canada, China and Australia. The outcomes included a large-scale papercut installation and series of animations. The project partners included: Pine Rivers Art Gallery, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, the Western Academy in Beijing, North Vancouver City Library, and the Children’s Art Studio in Toronto.
2009
Professional Development Grant from the Australia Council for the Arts
This funding enabled me to undertake a residency at the University of Massachusetts, and contribute to both the Conflux Festival in New York City and The Fingers Lake Environmental Film Festival in Ithaca NY.
2006
Australia China Council
General Funding Grant
With this support, I was able to observe papercutting in Hebei, Shaanxi and Jiangsu provinces. I also received training in Guangdong and Shangdong provinces.
2005
Creative Sparks, Lord Mayor’s Young and Emerging Artist’s Fellowship
The fellowship was undertaken at the Pickle Art Foundry in Beijing. This transformative residency introduced metalsmithing to my practice. It was also the first occasion that my papercuts were scanned and translated into an industrial material.
2002
RADF Mackay City Council
Whilst living in Mackay, I was fortunate to receive funding to develop and exhibit a large papercut installation. It investigated the ecological effects of tourism.
Other
2020
Libris Award
(category winner)
I received the local artist award from for Mackay, a book I fashioned from cotton rag and bagasse. The latter is a paper which I made from sugarcane fibre. It investigated the role black-birding played in establishing the city. The term refers to the kidnapping of labour from the South Sea Islands.
2012
Australian Institute of Architects NSW –
Small Projects Award
I was honoured to contribute art to the development of the Chinatown Information Kiosk at Haymarket by Frost Design and Lacoste Stevenson Architects. The multi-award-winning project was commissioned by the City of Sydney. It was managed by Mano Ponnambolam. My motifs were annealed to the illuminated veneer by Axolotl Projects.
2006
Sunshine Coast Art Prize (commended)
I was honoured to receive a commendation for my entry in the inaugural event.