Irene Barberis

Dr Irene Barberis

ACADEMIC POSITIONS/ Early Lectures

2014-2025

Senior Lecturer, Drawing. RMIT University, City Campus, Melbourne 2015-2016       

Senior Lecturer, Painting, RMIT Offshore program, Hong Kong x2 2014        

 Senior Lecturer, Expanded Studio Practice, RMIT University, Melbourne

Senior Lecturer, Painting, RMIT Offshore program, Hong Kong x2

International Critic, and International Art Historian Lecture, Rome Program ( New York based), Rome.

 International Chair and Curator: Drawing in the Middle East 2, Dubai (GCfD & American University in Dubai)

2013           

Senior Lecturer, Expanded Studio Practice, RMIT University, Melbourne

 Senior Lecturer, Painting, RMIT Offshore program, Hong Kong x2

International Critic, & International Art Historian Lecture, Rome Program ( New York based), Rome.

“Reading the space: Contemporary Australian Drawing #3, New York Studio School, New York.

2012           

Senior Lecturer, Expanded Studio Practice, RMIT University, RMIT University,

Senior Lecturer, Painting, RMIT Offshore program, Hong Kong .

 Researcher; International projects.

Drawing Out (2) Conference, University of the Arts, London, Paper: A Parallel Paper: Blurring Edges. Curator: 84 Australian Artists, “Contemporary Australian Drawing2, University of the Arts London, London

International Critic for The Rome Program ( New York Based), Rome. Tapestry of Light Project, Langford120 Lecture.

2011       

 International Chair; “Crossing the Line: Drawing in the Middle East; Intersections of practice and understanding. Keynote Speaker (one of four).

Curator; ‘Crossing the Line: Drawing in the Middle East’, 22 artist, Australia, UK, Middle East, Tashkeel Gallery, Dubai.

Visiting Lecturer: Discussions; American University of Dubai, Tashkeel, Galleries, Dubai, UAE. Researcher and Senior Lecturer, RMIT SOA Melbourne / The Art School Hong KonG Founding Director; Metasenta International Studio School.

2010           

Curator/ Lecture; RMIT Gallery, RMIT University; Contemporary Australian Drawing 1.

Invitation: Steering Committee of the 2010 ‘Drawing Out’ Conference, RMIT/UAL.

Invited Chair Parallel Session Chair: Drawing in / Drawing is a way of Thinking, The Drawing Out Conference, RMIT Storey Hall Auditorium, RMIT University, Melbourne, April 9.

Senior Lecturer, SOA, RMIT University, Melbourne/Hong Kong

2009           

 Developed Global Drawing through meetings and International Projects between Metasenta, RMIT and the University of the Arts London. Senior Lecturer SOA, RMIT University, Melbourne/Hong Kong.

2008 - 2007           

Head and Co- Head Drawing, RMIT SOA, RMIT University, Developed Drawing through meetings and International Projects between Metasenta, RMIT and the University of the Arts London.

Lecturer Hong Kong, Painting and Drawing.

Apocalypse – Tapestry of Light, Artists Talk, VTW, Melbourne 2007  ‘SOLLEWITT: Vignettes’, National Gallery of Victoria, Australia

Co’ Head, Drawing Department, RMIT University, Melbourne Director:Metasenta Projects (International)

Initiator: Duncan of Jordanstone, inaugural ‘Drawing Lab’ Masters Workshop

Initiator / partnership ‘Chicago Project’, RMIT University and Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland, and John David Mooney Foundation, Chicago USA.

2006  

Director: Metasenta Projects, RMIT University

Lecturer, RMIT Drawing, Melbourne, RMIT Drawing and Painting, Hong Kong. RMIT University Fine Art Drawing, Melbourne Painting and drawing Program, Hong Kong

Lecture/workshops (for Intersections Exhibition and Education Program), National Gallery Victoria,

Jewish Museum of Australia, Presentation College (working with Year eleven Students from five schools  - Jewish,Christian and Muslim for the exhibition 'Young Intersections, concurrent with Intersections - reading the space)

2005   

 RMIT University, Fine Art Drawing, Melbourne. Painting, Hong Kong 2004    RMIT University, Fine Art Drawing, Melbourne. Painting, Hong Kong 2003   RMIT University, Fine Art Drawing, Melbourne, Hong Kong

2002  

 RMIT University, Fine Art Drawing, Melbourne, Hong Kong 2001   RMIT University, Fine Art, Drawing, Melbourne, Hong Kong

                    RMIT Hong Kong Arts Centre, Drawing and Painting National Gallery of Victoria, Lecture: Education Program

2000    

RMIT University, Fine Art, Drawing, Melbourne. Painting, Hong Kong 1999   RMIT University, Fine Art, Drawing, Melbourne        

                    RMIT, Hong Kong Lecturer, Painting Department Monash University, Fine Arts, Drawing,  Melbourne Launceston University, Lecture: Launceston, Tasmania

Albury Regional Art Gallery, Lecture: Saying it with Flowers. Albury, NSW 1998               

 Preston Tafe Institute, Lecture, painting, Melbourne

Swinburne Secondary College, and Tafe Lecture; Painting, Melbourne 1997   

Monash University, Drawing, Melbourne

La Trobe Street Gallery School of Art and Design, Tutor; Painting and Drawing, Melbourne 1996                

RMIT University, Fine Art, Melbourne

Monash University, Drawing and Painting, Melbourne

Geelong Art Gallery, Drawing Workshop, in conjunction with the Alan Davis Exhibition, Geelong, VIC RMIT University, Fine Arts, Painting and Drawing, Melbourne

1995           

 Monash University, Drawing, Melbourne

1995           

National Gallery of Victoria, Artist Talk, Education Services Department. Melbourne

National Gallery of Victoria, Master Drawing Workshop, Education Services Department, Melbourne Monash University Artist Talk, Caulfield campus, Melbourne

Ballarat University, Artist in Residence, Ballarat; Victoria Australian Jewish Museum, Artist Talk, (x2), Melbourne

Australian Jewish Museum, Seminar; The Wandering Jew, Myth and Metaphor, Melbourne Interview; RadioNational. 6.11.1995, The Wandering Jew, Myth and Metaphor, Rachel Cohn with Vic Majzner, Heather Eliard and Irene Barberis

1994           

 RMIT University, Fine Arts, Painting and Drawing, Melbourne

New Arts Studio School, Co Director / Administrator, Lecturer, in collaboration with Elizabeth Gower and John. R. Neeson, Melbourne

1993           

Monash University, Drawing, Caulfield Campus, Melbourne

Co-Director / Administrator, Lecturer, New Arts Studio School, Melbourne

1992           

 Phillip Institute of Technology, Fine Art, Painting, Bundoora Campus, Melbourne Co-Director / Administrator, Lecturer, New Arts Studio School, Melbourne

1991           

Painting and Drawing Courses, Australian Centre for Contemporary Art

Linden Gallery, Art Classes Colour Theory Classes, Intermediate and Advanced, St Kilda, Melbourne Linden Galley, Children's Workshops, St Kilda, Melbourne

Co-Director / Administrator, Lecturer, New Arts Studio School, Melbourne

1990           

Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Painting and Drawing Courses, Melbourne 1988            RMIT University, Fine Art, Drawing, Melbourne

Private Painting and Drawing Classes

1987           

Victorian College of the Arts, Painting and Drawing, Melbourne

Victoria College, Tafe, Drawing, Melbourne

Glenhuntly Rehabilitation Centre, Printmaking, Drawing, Painting, Melbourne

1986           

Victorian College of the Arts, Painting, Postgraduate and Undergraduate, Melbourne Glenhuntly Rehabilitation Centre, Printmaking, Drawing, Painting, Melbourne Private Classes

1985            Victoria College, Tafe, Drawing, and Melbourne Victoria College, Fine Art, Drawing, Melbourne

1984            Life Painting Installation, Painting, Victoria College, Melbourne Victoria College, Fine Art, Drawing, Melbourne

1982            British Embassy Anglican Church, St. Michaels, Painting Classes, Paris, France 1976-1980 Private Classes, Workshops, Folio Development, Painting and Drawing.

Darwin Community College, Guest Lecturer, Northern Territory

Curated /Convenor

CONVENOR/ORGANISER of INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES (selected)

2015 

International Chair: Crossing the Line: Drawing #3 Global Drawing: Intersections in Firenze, Hosted by the SACI Institute, Florence in Collaboration with the Global Centre for Drawing and The Metasenta® Foundation. Metasenta® Keynote Speaker; Dr. Janet McKenzie, Deputy Editor, Studio International, UK, 8 international papers given, including large contingent from the American University in Dubai, UAE.

2014       

The Tapestry of Light: Intersections of Illumination: Symposium, RMIT Design Institute, Melbourne, Australia Metasenta® Keynote speaker; Emerita Professor Michelle P. Brown, University of London, UK. Papers include; Prof. Margaret Manion, Melbourne University, Dr. Irene Barberis, Prof. Bernard Muir, Melbourne University The Tapestry ofLight: Intersections of Illuminations, Symposium, RMIT Design Research Institute, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia

2011

 Crossing the Line: Drawing in the Middle East #1, American University in Dubai, UAE. Metasenta® Keynote speakers; Prof. Stephen Farthing University of the Arts London, Dr. Irene Barberis, RMIT University Melbourne, 8 international papers given.

ARTS POSITIONS: SELECTED AND VOLUNTARY

International Director: Crossing the Line: Drawing in the Middle East/Firenze Exhibitions and Conferences

International Director and Curator: Contemporary Australian Drawing #1 - #7, Series of Global Drawing Dialogues and Exhibitions.

Critic, Faculty and Visiting Artist, The Rome Art Program, New York/Rome ( 2009 - )

Facilitated over 35 students from Australia into the Rome Art Program I Rome, for 4 – 8 weeks. Visiting Faculty Member, SACI Institute, Florence, Italy/New York (2015-2020)

Invitational Member Artists and designers Council, SACI Institute, Florence, Italy (2014-2020) Director and Curator, Victoria University Gallery, Melbourne, Australia

Co-Director New Arts Studio School (with Elizabeth Gower and John Neeson), Linden, Melbourne, Australia.

INSTIGATOR AND CO-CURATOR MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS

2023        Concentric Influences of Sol LeWitt: Foundations, Pivots and Place; Currently in Dialogue with Jewish Museum of Australia including five International Jewish Museums/ ongoing.

2011        ‘5 Places’, Mike Parr and Irene Barberis, Bury Museum and Art Gallery, Bury, Manchester, UK. 2009            ‘Across the Gulf”, 22 Artists from the Gulf, ARC International Biennale Brisbane.

2007        20,000 Colours, The Artistic Gene, Four Generations of Women, Albury City Museum

2005-6 Intersections - reading the space, Jewish Museum of Australia, Melbourne, Australia, San Francisco Jewish Museum, San Francisco, USA

CURATED LANGFORD120 GALLERY COMPLEX, 2011-2018

2018        Edge, 40 Artists, Global Centre for Drawing, Langford120, Melbourne

Psychochoreography: A Confluence of Thinking, Langford120, Melbourne

Carole Robb; Venice and Rome Scrolls, Passage Gallery, Langford120, Melbourne

Sarah Dyshart; Drawings From the Royal College of Art, London, Passage Gallery, Langford120, Melbourne Louise Lee; Interlude, Passage Gallery, Langford120, Melbourne

Janet Passehl, New Works, Passage Gallery, Langford120, Melbourne 2017        Contemporary Australian Drawing #7, Langford120, Melbourne

Four Drawings: Barberis, Bradbeer Southall and Tabacco, Langford120, Melbourne

2016        Contemporary Australian Drawing #6: Spatial Kinetics: The body and memory, somatics, transformation and change, The Bury Art Museum, Manchester, United Kingdom.

2016        Passage: Heidi Vanzet and Nick Curnow, Passage Gallery, Langford120, Melbourne The 2016 Langford Associates, Passage Gallery, Langford120, Melbourne

2015        Contemporary Australian Drawing#5: Facsimilies, SACI Gallery, SACI, Florence

Global Drawing Audit#1: Five Countries, 36 students, 6 Regional Editors/Curators, SACI Institute, Florence, Italy

Trajectories: Fifteen: Langford Associates 2015, Langford120, Melbourne

2014        ‘Location’, 32 International Artists, Dubai/Melbourne; Jam Jar Gallery, Dubai, Langford120, Melbourne ‘On Location’, Rome Art Program, American University in Dubai

Fourteen: Trajectories, Associates for 2014, Langford120, Melbourne

Lines of Thought; Tasara Lines, India, GCfD, Langford120, Melbourne

2013        Five Places: A Metasenta Collaboration, with Bury Art Museum, Director; Tony Trehy, UK

Thirteen: 17 Artists: Australia 8, UK 4, USA 2, Hong Kong, GCfD, Langford120, Melbourne, Australia. GeometricAljamia - a visual transliteration, Eight International Artists, Dubai, USA, Langford120, Melbourne Portraiture in Focus: Anita Taylor (UK) Irene Barberis (Australia) Helen Sturgess ( UK), Drawing on Two Worlds: Embarkation, Janet McKenzie. GCfD Langford120, Melbourne, Australia

Contemporary Australian Drawing #4: Reading the Space, GCfD, New York Studio School, Main Gallery, New York, New York, USA

Re the Body #1, Bernhard Sachs, Wendy Stavrianos, Todd Fuller, Carl Scriberras of Flatline Dance Co., Langford120, Melbourne, Australia.

Re: The Body 2: An exploration of the body - anybody, Irene Barberis, Sarina Lirosi, Amie Oliver, Elizabeth Presa, Langford120, Melbourne

2012        Bartlett, Byrt, Dall’Ava, Langford120, Melbourne

A Selection from Crossing the Line: Drawing in the Middle East#1 exhibition,GCfD, Langford120, Melbourne

Contemporary Australian Drawing #3, 80 artists, GCfD, Langford120, Melbourne

2011  Lines Of Thinking: Rick Amor, Irene Barberis, Asher Bilu, Paul Boston, Sam Burke + Domenico de Clario, Richard Dunn, Angela Ellsworth, Mary MacQueen, Jan Murray, Mike Parr, Anita Taylor, Gosia Wlodarczak, Global Centre for Drawing,Langford120, Melbourne

2000 - 2010 -Multiple international exhibitions curated through the Metasenta® Projects

CURATED: THE DRAWINGSPACE, MELBOURNE, RMIT UNIVERSITY, 2006-2009 (DOCUMENTED 2007-2010

Karen Forbes, Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland; Andre Liew, RMIT University, Melbourne; Tony Trehy, Bury Museum of Art, UK; Stephen Farthing, University of the Arts, London, UK; Hetty Baiz, Princeton University, New Jersey, USA; Anita Taylor, University of the Arts, London, UK; Metasenta® Team, RMIT University, Melbourne; Irene Barberis, RMIT University, Melbourne; Nerma Cridge, University of the Arts, London, UK; Tracy MacKenna and Edwin Janssen, Duncan of Jordanstone, College of Art, Dundee University, Scotland; Keith Winter, Queens University, Belfast, Ireland, Godwin Bradbeer, RMIT University, Melbourne; Julia Townsend and Marcelo Lima, American University in Dubai, UAE;

CURATED EXHIBITIONS: INTERNATONAL CENTRE FOR DRAWING, GLOBAL DRAWING; RMIT UNIVERSITY, ,MELBOURNE, 2010

Kreider and O’Leary, University of the Arts, London; Analogy: Colour Tone and Tint, Kelly Chorpening (UAL), Jeffrey Dennis (UAL), Paul Coldwell (UAL), Wilma Tabacco (RMIT), Sally Cleary (RMIT), Rhett D’Costa (RMIT), Phil Edwards (RMIT); Anne Lydiat, (UAL).

CURATED EXHIBITIONS: VICTORIA UNIVERSITY GALLERY CITY, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA 1997-1999

All Exhibitions Curated and Installed by Irene Barberis.

1999  Susan Hewitt and Fran Van Riemsdyke at Victoria University Gallery City, Melbourne

Sterographics, John. R. Neeson, Victoria University Gallery City, Melbourne

Drawing, Central Park, New York. Mary Tonkin, Victoria University Gallery City, Melbourne

Real Abstraction, Wilma Tabacco, Jan Murray, Robin Kingston, Craig Easton guest curator, Wilma Tabacco ExposureA: Artists Portraits of Artists; Warren Brenninger. In collaboration with Linden Gallery, St. Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria University Gallery City, Melbourne

Exposure B: Artists Portraits of Artists, (38 Artists), Linden Gallery, Curated in collaboration with Anne Harris, Director: Linden Art Gallery, Melbourne, Australia

Star Painting 1999 from the Apocalypse, Abstract and Figurative Elements: Irene Barberis, Victoria University Gallery City, Melbourne

Melbourne's Marvellous Tapestries, Gareth Sansom, Dale Hickey, Jimmy Pike, Ginger Riley, Victorian Tapestry Workshop at Victoria University Gallery, City, Melbourne.

1998        Notations - 40 Artists, Installation Irene Barberis, Victoria University Gallery City, Melbourne TheHeart of the Machine: Loy Lichtman & Megan Evans, Victoria University, City, Melbourne

Complicity: A Theorem and its Corollary- Mark Stoner, Victoria University Gallery City, Melbourne Far Away, Guest Curator, Professor Jenny Zimmer, Victoria University Gallery City, Melbourne Verisimilitude: Godwin Bradbeer, Victoria University Gallery City ,Melbourne

Hidden and Revealed x 3 Adrian. L. Page, Victoria University Gallery City, Melbourne

Walk and Wave: Kevin Wilson and Nicole Vevoeden – Cash, Victoria University Gallery City, Melbourne 1997            Selections From The Victoria University Collection, Victoria University Gallery City, Melbourne

Line of Thought - Victoria University (96 - 97): Authors, Victoria University Gallery, Melbourne

Lins of Thought Paper Installation Piece,: Irene Barberis, Victoria University Gallery City, Melbourne DigitalLandscapes, Barbara Grossman, Victoria University - Multi Media - Life, Dept. Electrical Engineering Cuts, Installation, Wilma Tabacco and Irene Barberis, Victoria University Gallery City, Melbourne

Photoworks; Ponch Hawkes, Women in Science and Engineering, Victoria University Gallery City, Melbourne

COLLABORATION: DR. IRENE BARBERIS, METASENTA®/ RMIT UNIIVERSITY, WITH PROFESSOR CHRIS WAINRIGHT, PRO VICE CHANCELLOR / DEAN, UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDON: ARTISTS IN LEADERSHIP PROJECT; 2009 (ONGOING)

https://www.metasenta.com/the-montana-group

Chris Wainwright, Dean University of the Arts London, Irene Barberis, Director Metasenta® Tony Trehy, Director Bury Gallery & Museum, Manchester

Karen Forbes, Head of Painting and Drawing, Edinburgh College of Art Mark Dunhill,Dean of Art, Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design David Garcia, Dean of Chelsea College of Art and Design

Carla Delfos, Executive Director ELIA

Steve Kapelke, Provost/ Senior Vice President at Columbia College Chicago Kevin Thompson, Director Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

Klaus Jung, Head of School of Fine Aet, Glasgow School of Art RonBurnett, President Emily Carr University of Art and Design George Blacklock, Dean of Wimbledon College of Art

Richard Noble, Lecturer in Fine Arts at Goldsmiths College, London

DIRECTOR: RMIT, INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR DRAWING RMIT MELBOURNE WITH PROF. STEPHENFARTHING, UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDON, UK , METASENTA ® PROJECTS, GLOBAL DRAWING NETWORK, 2006-2011 DIRECTOR: RMIT; THE DRAWINGSPACE, MELBOURNE, MELBOURNE 2006/2009

DIRECTOR/CURATOR: DR. IRENE BARBERIS & DR. WILMA TABACCO 2011-2018 DIRECTOR/CURATOR: VICTORIA UNIVERSITY GALLERY; 1997 - 1999

CO - DIRECTOR, NEW ARTS STUDIO SCHOOL, WITH ELIZABETH GOWER AND JOHN NEESON

Intercultural projects;  Methodologies and creative project research: Drawing, Painting, Installation, Faith, Illuminated Manuscripts, (glass, tapestry, mosaic, fresco), specializing in Apocalypse texts and images


Awards and commissions (since 2000)

AWARDS, COMMISSIONS & RESIDENCIES

2025.      Artist and Curators Residency, 37PK, Netherlands.

                 Foundation Grant: $25,000 - LeWitt Tapestry Suite

                 Artists Residency, Drawing Projects, Scotland, DJCAD, University of Dundee, UK 

2024       Artist in Residence (X3), Sol LeWitt Studio, Chester, Connecticut, USA

                 Vera Moore Foundation Grant $15,000 -The Taprestry of Light; interactive PDF/Short Film

2023        Honorary Research Fellowship, DJCAD, University of Dundee, Scotland, UK – 2023- 2026

2022        Artist in Residence (2) Chester USA,  Sol LeWitt Studio Residencies (2), Mahler LeWitt Studios Spoleto, Praiano Studio Amalfi Coast, Italy

                  Artist’s Studio Residency (studio6) and Scholar’s residency, British School at Rome, Italy

2020         The Tapestry of Light at The Bible Museum, Washington DC. American Curator Amy Van Dyke. Awarded all costs and shipping including       Artists fees; approximately, $150,000 USD/ $200,000 AUD.

2019        Inaugural Sol LeWitt Studio Residency (Barberis first artist, apart from Sol LeWitt’s daughter Eva LeWitt, to work in the LeWitt Studio, Chester), Chester USA, Mahler LeWitt Studios Spoleto, Praiano Studio Amalfi Coast, Italy

Artist Studio Residency and Scholar’s residency, British School at Rome, Italy 2019

2019   Commissioned: Development exhibition, The Tapestry of Light, a Twenty-First Century Apocalypse.

2017        The Tapestry of Light Artwork & Project exhibition, film and interviews; All finances including Artist Fees and residencies awarded, St. Michael and St. Gudula, Cathedral, Brussels, Belgium.

2017        Artist in Residence; International Priory of St. Dominic in Brussels, including Barberis’ Assistant and Manager of The Tapestry of Light, Brussels; Belgium International Curator of The Tapestry of Light, Fr Alain OP, Chaplain of Artists of Brussels, Vicar of the Master of the Order of Santa Sabina, Rome, Socius of Northwest Europe and Canada (2017)Residency also for the International Curator of The Tapestry of Light Project, Emerita Professor Michelle P. Brown, University of London, UK (2017)

Artist in Residence and exhibition Canterbury Cathedral, for The Tapestry of Light Project, Chapter House, Canterbury, UK.

Awarded main inclusion in the Canterbury Festival 2017. Awarded by Canterbury Cathedral all costs for The Tapestry of Light Project exhibition, opening and duration; approximately 100,00 BP, $180,000 AUD.

Awarded the Vera Moore Foundation Grant, Melbourne, Australia, $15,000 AUD.

2015        Scholars Residency, British School at Rome, Italy

2014        Artist Residency, Tasara Center, Southern India. Tapestry of Light weaving/thread research.

Scholar’s Residency, British School at Rome, Rome, Italy

2013     Scholars Residency, British School at Rome, Italy

2011        Scholars Residency, British School at Rome, Italy

2009        International Public Art Award, Bury City Centre, “Three in One: the Rock Project” Manchester, UK (not taken up)

RMIT University, Design Research Institute Grant: The Tapestry of Light: history into Futures

Funding; Metasenta Pty. Ltd®

2008-

Funding: Metasenta Projects, RMIT University

2007

‘City Centre’, Shortlisted for International Public Art Project. Bury City Centre Manchester, UnitedKingdom

2006

Museums Australia, Jewish Museum – Honourable Mention for Intersections – Reading the Space.

2006

Frankston “new circular lighting Project”

2005-

Frankston Bayside, new glass Sculpture work "Ellipse"

Finalist, Arthur Guy Memorial Painting Prize. Bendigo Art Gallery, Australia

2004

Frankston Commission, Eight Works – A Kinaesthetic Experience”, major sculptural work, Pivot

2003

Arts Victoria, New Work Development Grant

Selection- finalist, Docklands Lighting Project, ARM architects (5 shortlist)

2002

Lighting Project, Geelong Arts Precinct, with Brecknock Consulting