My Story so far...

As an artist, I see life as an adventure; my art provides me with the opportunity to be a reflective risk taker, to explore tangible and intangible worlds playfully, sensually and emotionally and to transform them into concrete manifestations.

Collections

My artworks are in public, corporate and private collections including:

  • The University of Melbourne
  • National Australia Bank.

Awards

Finalist

  • St Johns Southgate Art Prize 2017
  • ANL Maritime Art Award 2012
  • PB Towage People’s Choice Award 2012
  • Stan and Maureen Duke, Gold Coast Art Prize 2011

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Education from the University of Melbourne (1986)
  • Graduate Diploma in Education from Monash University (1983)
  • Diploma of Art and Design (Fine Art) from Monash University (1982)
  • Certificate IV in Training and Assessment from RMIT University (2016)

Aims

  • To create magical worlds of pure meditative joy that hold the viewer spellbound.
  • To present works of art that glorify the intimate, profound and symbiotic relationship of all things.
  • To infuse artworks with an inherent, intriguing and mesmerizing beauty.

Values

I value the creative practice and process, the opportunity to express ideas, observations and emotive responses to my surroundings. As our world changes so does my work, I enjoy rising to challenges that test my powers of observation, reflection and interpretation. I delight in creating dramatic remarkable artworks that thrill, stimulate and seduce. The dexterous application of materials in my artwork is fast paced, energetic and sensual. I revel at continually learning new skills, acquiring new knowledge, absorbing new concepts and applying them to my art practice. Through play, trial and error I look forward to seeing my art evolve, mature and develop.

Inspirations

My artistic inspiration comes from a wide variety of sources and experiences including the natural internal dynamism of forms, my Italian/Australian heritage and life experiences. Art needs an audience and sharing my work with an art loving community is very important to me. If I can touch an audience with my passion, I am truly grateful.

Style/Technique

Artworks I create range from highly abstracted gestural exertions to quirky symbol laden figurative pieces. The application of line, colour and form in a pulsing, rhythmic and lyrical way provide my images with a dynamic energy and strong presence. The vigorous application of colour, light and shade help to make my artworks dance and sing.

Selected Solo Exhibitions:

  • 2018 “A Reflective Journey” Gallery 550, Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2017 “The Sleep of Reason” Gallery 550, Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2017 “Sleeping with the Fishes” Gallery 550, Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2015 “Geishas and Earthmothers” Swan Street Studios and Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2013 “Arpi Industriosi Serie”, Swan Street Studios and Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2012 “Home Sweet Home”, Swan Street Studios and Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2003 “Marionettes”, Goya Galleries, Melbourne, Australia.
  • 1999 “Reflective and Responsive Works”, Chiara Goya Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.
  • 1997 “Melbourne Visions”, Fitzroy Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.

Selected Group Exhibitions:

  • 2021 Group Show, Gallery 550, Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2018 Art and Soul, Pullman Hotel, Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2017 St Johns Southgate Art Prize, Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2015 Annual Group Show, Swan Street Studios and Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2012 ANL Maritime Art Award, Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2012 PB Towage People’s Choice Award, Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2011 Stan and Maureen Duke, Gold Coast Art Prize, Gold Coast, Australia.
  • 2010 Shuffle group show, Inhaus Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2009 Studio Artists Show, Inhaus Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2000 Quattro, Chiara Goya Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.
  • 1986 Package Deal, Gryphon Gallery, University of Melbourne, Australia.
  • 1986 Young Italo/Australian Artists, St Martins Theatre Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.

Related Experience:

For 37 years up to 2021 I was fortunate to have had a teaching career in parallel to my art practice. As an Art, Visual Communication, Design and Technology teacher I have enjoyed working with teenagers, helping them to develop their art, design and making skills as well as their understanding and appreciation of artists and designers both current and passed. Hopefully some of my passion for art and technology has proven to be inspirational.

I have grown with my students over time embracing emerging technologies and innovations, from chalk boards to white boards, computers and internet, physical art making using materials to digital technologies creating virtual worlds. From face-to-face interaction to the challenges of remote learning.

As a young graduating student at the University of Melbourne one of my final year works was selected to form part of a national touring exhibition entitled “Package Deal”.

I have been honoured to be invited on two occasions by the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (R.M.I.T.) University in Melbourne Australia as a guest assessor. Once to help assess final year student folios for the Faculty of Environmental Design and Construction. On another occasion as part of a three-person panel assessing a fourth-year thesis presentation for the School of Architecture.

I have travelled extensively, visiting important sites of artistic pilgrimage in Europe, Asia and America and events such as the Venice Biennale on several occasions. In 2007/8 I participated in a most informative and stimulating Italian Study Tour of Byzantine, Renaissance and Baroque Art organized and run by Monash University Melbourne Australia.

I look forward to channelling this wealth of experience, knowledge and understanding into my future art making practice.

Press:

  • My latest work can be viewed at https://www.instagram.com/mario_cioni_art/
  • I was fortunate to be asked to feature in a short film, “Gotta Have Heart” 2013 which can be viewed on Vimeo, https://vimeo.com/63364850
  • SBS Radio 93.1 FM Interview with Maria Gismondi, aired 31st May 2013.
  • Guest Presenter - poetry@fedsquare “Italian Influences and The Power of Voice” Saturday 15 June 2013, Federation Square, Melbourne.