ABOUT
Adrian Harris is an artist with an interest in arts ability to influence personal and social change. As a qualified designer, social worker and creative arts therapist, Adrian enjoys exploring the intersections between contemporary art, community, education, health, human rights and social justice. Artist's Statement Change and wonder are features of my work that I enjoy exploring practically and conceptually. I find art making to be multidimensional linking personal with social, action with reaction and the unknown with the known. From figurative to abstract, my work with various expressive media documents the open exploration I take into the unknown gaining greater aesthetic appreciation and insight. Exhibitions 2013 - On Reflection Solo Exhibition, Unwined, Mackay 2011 - Out of the Blue Group Show, Gargett Gallery, Pioneer Valley 2010 - Art is as Art Does Solo Exhibition, Sinful Coffee, Mackay 2009 - Roy de Maistre Colour Chart Show, Brunswick Street Gallery, Melbourne 2009 - DVA End of Year Group Show, Pigment Gallery, Melbourne 2009 - Small Works 09, Brunswick Street Gallery, Melbourne 2009 - DVA Group Show, Pigment Gallery, Melbourne Biography Adrian Harris was born in Mackay, Australia in 1979. From an early age he found a sense of belonging to the visual arts which he has enjoyed exploring to this day. Adrian has had many influences throughout his life. During his schooling he moved from the family sugar cane farm in northern Queensland to live in Japan for a year on student exchange. Upon returning to Australia, Adrian took a year to refine his interests within an Arts degree studying Japanese, Sociology, Psychology and Teaching. Inspired by Japanese design and the provocative work of photographer Oliviero Toscani, Adrian completed a Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) at the University of Newcastle in 2002. During his study in design, he discovered art therapy and felt compelled to combine his interests in psychology and the arts. In 2006 Adrian completed a masters degree in Creative Arts Therapy at RMIT University, Melbourne. With an interest in social change, human rights and social justice, Adrian also completed a masters degree in Social Work in 2014. Today, Adrian lives in the Huon Valley (Tasmania) and enjoys working as a disability advocate and community-based art therapist working with people who experience mental illness. Adrian is currently completing a PhD on creative practices and international development within Charles Darwin University's College of Indigenous Futures, Arts and Society. Adrian is influenced by the work of Ainslie Roberts, James Gleeson, Sir William Dobell, Charles Blackman, Russel Drysdale, Jeffery Smart, Wassily Kandinsky and Frantisek Kupka. Other influences include Banksy, Bjork, Craig Doty, H.R. Giger, Michel Gondry, Ryohei Hase, James Jean, Audrey Kawaski, Kozyndan, Tara McPherson, Alexander McQueen, Simon Phelipot, Radiohead, Romance Was Born, Mark Ryden and Joe Sorren. |