Irene Barberis

Dr. Irene Barberis

Senior Lecturer

Details

About

Dr Irene Barberis is a Senior Lecturer in Drawing and International research at the School of Art. She is also Founding Director of Metasenta Pty. Ltd, an international arts research 'satellite' which functions between Universities, arts organizations and artists.

Born in London, Australian-British artist Irene Barberis has been exhibiting since the mid- seventies and internationally since the early eighties. She works as artist, curator and academic and holds a PhD from Victoria University and an MFA from Melbourne University VCA, Melbourne. .

Inventing, making, curating and generating projects, exhibitions and platforms around the globe, Barberis’ initiatives span countries and borders throughout Europe, UK, USA, the Middle East and the Far East, often incorporating smaller more intimate intercultural dialogues and exchanges within the international University system. She has had tenure at RMIT University in Melbourne for two decades and has worked offshore in Hong Kong for much of this time.

 

In 2006, Barberis established Metasenta®, a nimble and flexible international arts research hub that links Universities, artists and the wider global arts community, creating ‘safe spaces’ for arts dialogue and exhibitions in all forms across the world.

Known for her provocative high-chroma works and installations utilising cutting edge materials, she is a painter, installation and new media artist working also with performative drawing and spatial kinesthetics. Minimal and conceptual systems and structures undergird her practice encapsulating in part the notion of painting and drawing as a flux, an organically growing and poetic tectonic. She has completed major commissions, is collected in both public and private collections internationally and continues to push the boundaries through her research into the history of ideas, faith and the female and global drawing. Her doctorate for the millennial crossover explored the abstract and figurative elements of the Apocalypse and its representations throughout history.

 

Her latest major projects and artworks involve Art and Science. ‘The Tapestry of Light’: Intersections of Illumibations, a 36 x 3.2meter jacquard tapestry of the Apocalypse is the only known full cycle of the Apocalypse in tapestry form by a female artist. Collaborating with scientist David E. Mainwaring, inventor of a new nano-particle phosphorescent pigment embedded into fibre, Barberis incorporated the new material into the design and weaving of the artwork, allowing layers of imagery within the narrative to be visible separately at various times.

The same science is utilised in her new work( 2025) , ‘The LeWitt Tapestry Suie: The Chester and Italian Studios’ which are projected to be completed and exhibited in 2027 with The Tapestry of Light - a 21st century Apocalypse

 

The LeWitt/Barberis Project explores the thirty-33 -year friendship between Sol LeWitt and Irene Barberis from 1974, and his influence on her work and thinking. These influences are investigated on location in each of his three studios, the Chester studio in the USA, the Mahler LeWitt studios and the Praiano studio in Italy and are the pivot for ongoing solo and group exhibitions. LeWitt’s influence on a wider selection of artists from around the world are curated by Barberis into twenty  international exhibitions, ten indentify and ignite discourses around  the 'Core' artists, and ten exhibit the work  of ten  artists from each participating country. Each exhibition is captured in an e-catalog which can be found on www.thesollewittproject.net and will be recorded in a two-volume publication, catalogues and a series of Metasenta® small books. Barberis published the first and only publication of LeWitt's Chester studio 'Sol LeWitt  Irene Barberis: The Chester Studio A Visual Documentation. She is currently working on a publication of LeWitt's gouache painting practice in his Chester studio.

 

Current Art Research Projects:


The LeWitt Project : Ten Countries. (2019–ongoing)
The Tapestry of Light: Intersections of Illumination; a 21st Century Apocalypse (1998– ongoing)

 

Selected Metasenta® Projects (all ongoing):


The Global Centre for Drawing – international exhibitions, projects and publications ( 2010 - ongoing)

Gallery Langford120 – in partnership with artist Wilma Tabacco, commercial exhibitions and curated projects in Australia ( 2011 - ongoing)
Metasenta Publishing - including the Metasenta Small Book Series ( 2009 - ongoing)

Artists in Leadership – global dialogues  (2009) - ongoing
Across the Gulf – exhibitions and exchanges in the Middle East (2008 - ongoing) 

Moving Cultures – exhibitions and exchanges in Tibet/China (2009)

 

​​Barberis has collaborated on and initiated multiple international projects with Universities, Galleries and Museums in the UK, USA, Europe, the Middle East​ and Far East. As a painter, installation and new media artist, she has held over 100 solo exhibitions in Australia and abroad, and participated in over 140 group exhibitions. 

Irene currently works in the RMIT School of Art as a Senior Lecturer in Drawing. Barberis was one of three academic/artists who founded and built the RMIT Drawing program in 1998 together with James Taylor and Godwin Bradbeer. She was Head and Co Head of RMIT Drawing in the mid 2000's and then broadened her industry collaborations through her invention of the Metasenta® International Research Hub.  Irene was the first female lecturer in the RMIT Hong Kong BFA in 1999 and has been lecturing in the offshore program since that time. She is the Director of multiple intiatives some of which are Metasenta Publications,  Metaspace, Metasenta Projects, Gallery Langford120, the Global Art Program,  and specialises in International projects, many focusing on International Drawing and intercultural projects.

 Selected earlier international projects

2014

The Tapestry of Light; Lux, Lumen and Illumination: Dr. I. Barberis, Professor D. Mainwarring, Emerita Professor M.P. Brown, Professor B. Muir, Dr Janet McKenzie

Crossing the Line: Drawing in the Middle East 2, International Conference and exhibition program Global Centre for Drawing, American University in Dubai.

2013

The Art and Science of Illumination: Tapestry of Light; intersections across the gulf; CI, Dr. I. Barberis, Professor D. Mainwarring, Emerita Professor M. P. Brown, Professor B. Muir. Artist Residency, Tasara Experimental Weaving, Sth. India

The Global Centre for Drawing: Reading the Space: Contemporary Australian Drawing #2, New York Studio School, New York.

Metasenta Publishing: Portraits in Focus, Sopha Errey, Anita Taylor, Irene Barberis, Helen Sturgess, Janet McKenzie. (Crossing the Line: Drawing in the Middle East (Exec.Ed. I Barberis. Ed. J Mckenzie), Tapestry Of Light, (Exec.Ed. I Barberis. Ed. J Mckenzie)).

2012

The Art and Science of Illumination: Tapestry of Light; Intersections Across the Gulf; CI, Dr. I. Barberis, Professor D. Mainwarring, Professor M. Brown, Professor B. Muir.( exhibitions, publication: Apocalypse: Re Looking)

Metaspace International: Gallery, 120 Langford Street, Melbourne. Curator, Crossing the Line: Drawing in the Middle East, Australian component.

The Global Centre for Drawing; The DrawingSpace, Melbourne; 120 Langford Street, Melbourne.

Montana Group (formerly Artists in Leadership Project) Dialogue 2 (TBC)

Metasenta : a new Paradigm in Arts Education © Palgrave Macmillan/Metasenta Publication. 2011

3 small Publications; Metasenta Publications, 2011/2012 ( S.Farthing, T. Trehy, M. Lima)

Contemporary Australian Drawing#1, Metasenta Commission, Palgrave Macmillan Publication; Author; Dr Janet McKenzie, contextualising essay, Dr. Christopher Heathcote, Coda Dr. Irene Barberis

2011

International Chair, Crossing the Line: Drawing in the Middle East, International Drawing Conference. RMIT University collaboration American University in Dubai.

Metaspace International: National and International Curatorial Gallery, 120 Langford Street, Melbourne.

The Global Centre for Drawing; The DrawingSpace, Melbourne; 120 Langford Street, Melbourne.

Montana Group (formerly Artists in Leadership Project) Dialogue 2.

5 Places Project, Bury UK, Finland, Melbourne, Hong Kong.

Curated “ 5 Places – Chinese Artists, Bury Museum and Art Gallery, Manchester, United Kingdom, in tandem with the Asia Triennial, Manchester2.

Collaborative Drawing Project: Global Drawing: Irene Barberis & Stephen Farthing 


5 small Publications; Metasenta Publications, 2011/2012

Contemporary Australian Drawing, Macmillan/Metasenta Publication (in process) Metasenta Commissioned, Dr Irene Barberis; Author; Dr Janet McKenzie, contextualising essay, Christopher Heathcote

2010

Metasenta Hong Kong: the DrawingSpace, Hong Kong, The Drawing Space, Dubai.

5 Places Collaboration: Irene Barberis & Tony Trehy; Bury, Melbourne, Hong Kong.

International Centre for Drawing: Directors: Dr Irene Barberis, Melbourne; Professor Stephen Farthing, London: 3 exhibitions.

2009

Across the Gulf, Bahrain, Dubai, Abu Dhabi.

Venice Agendas, 53rd Venice Bienniale, Wimbledon College of Art

Moving Cultures: Intercultural Dialogue, Tibet-Guangzhou – Western Team/10 Eastern team/7.

Across the Gulf : 22 Artists Collaboration with The 2009 Arc Biennale, Brisbane

Across the Gulf 2009 – Publication Metasenta Publishing.

Artists in Leadership – The Montana Group Lucerne Switzerland

2006 - 2008

The Chicago Project, Chicago. Publication; The Chicago Project: Fold-out Futures, Volume 1+2 RMIT Publishing, RMIT University, Edinburgh College of Art, Design Institute, RMIT, University Co -Project Leader, with Professor Karen Forbes, Head ECA Painting and Drawing, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Moving Cultures: 2007 -2009. China, Australia, UK, Ireland, USA. (Twelve Universities, Four Associates) Global Cities Institute RMIT University. Western Project Leader, Eastern Project Leader, Professor Isadora Jiang

The DrawingSpace, Melbourne, International and National Artists, Activating Dormant Spaces, The Design Institute, RMIT University. Instigator and Director: Dr. Irene Barberis

The Centres Project, 2008-2009: Co Curator Irene Barberis and Steven Ball RMIT University, Central Saint Martins, The University of Arts, London.

Across the Gulf: Bahrain, Dubai Abu Dhabi, Metasenta Projects, American University in Dubai.

Current Long Term Project: The Tapestry of Light: The Art and Science of Illumination and the Photon: In collaboration with Professor David Mainwarring, of RMIT University

 

2005

Intersections: Reading the Space: A discourse into  abstractions, faiths and  language this proejct developedat the mIllenium change in collaboration with the Jewish Museum of Australia, and traveled to the Contemporary Jewish Museum of San Fransisco in 2003-2005. and was exhibited in Melbourne


Each of the Metasenta projects consists of exhibitions, publications and filmed documentaries, and brings together multiple Universities, and communities with international projects, having many outcomes within the year.


2005

Metasenta Projects: Global Research Satellite/hub - Dr. Irene Barberis 205
Founding Director of Metasenta Projects: Dr Irene Barberis
Founding Benefactor: Mr. Po Chung.
Coordinating Manager: Andre Liew.
Metasenta Projects is a research satellite, which sits in the School of Art, RMIT University and links into the Design Institute and the Global Cities Institute (2005)

Academic positions

  • Senior Lecturer, 3rd Year co-coordinator
  • RMIT University
  • Expanded Studio Practice, SOA
  • Melbourne, Australia
  • 1 Jan 2016 – 31 Dec 2016
  • Senior Lecturer, Painting, Hong Kong Art School
  • RMIT Vietnam
  • Hong Kong./ Lecture Professional Practice Hong Kong
  • Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • 1 Jan 2016 – 31 Dec 2016

Supervisor projects

  • Jindgo story: Korean shamanism and the art of displacement
  • 1 Nov 2017
  • Creativity and Conservatism: A Praxis Investigation into the Formation of Saudi Female Artistic Identity
  • 1 Mar 2017
  • Nearness and Distance: Exploring the notion of indifference through the lens of Middle-Eastern traditional arts.
  • 1 Aug 2016
  • Among My Souvenirs: The Role of Site, Artefact and Embodiment as Tools of Remembrance in Material and Visual Culture
  • 4 Mar 2013

Teaching interests

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

Research interests

Visual Arts and Crafts, Curatorial and Related Studies, Performing Arts and Creative Writing, Cultural Studies, Philosophy, Art Theory and Criticism

 

  • Honorary Fellow DJCAD, University of Dundee
  • Research fields: Sol LeWitt, Contemporary Art, Belief & Intercultural Dialogues; Medieval Arts and the Book, Global Drawing,
  • Specialising in  Global Drawing, International Projects and exhibitions.
  • Executive Director: Metasenta (R), Metasenta Publications,  Director : Gallery Langford120.  Chair: The Metasenta Foundation, International    Director: Crossing the Line,: Symposia, Conferences; Dubai,  Florence.: SACI, Firenze, Italy,
  • CI, Artist, International Project Director, 'Tapestry of Light: Intersections of Illumination'; Brussels, Canterbury Cathedral, UK, Washington DC, USA 2017-2020 
  • CI, Artist, Scholar: Sol LeWitt Residencies.USA, Italy. 2019/2020
  • Faculty and Critic for the The Rome Art Program, New York/Rome.
  • Member SACI Designers and Artists Council, Visiting Faculty, SACI, Florence, New York
  • Latest books:'Tapestry of Light; Intersections of Illumination',  'LeWitt/Barberis 1974-2020',
  • The Tapestry of Light: History into Futures - Interactive PDF collaboration
  • Sol LeWitt : Gouaches; the Chester and Italian Studios

 

Research

2025 South Korea, Netherlands, Italy, France, UK, Scotland, USA.

2024 New York, Chester, CT, USA, Hong Kong/China
2023 Scotland, UK, Italy.
2022 New York, Chester, London, Rome, Florence, Venice, Spoleto, Praiano, Dubai. 2020/2021 Covid19 – no travel.

2019 London, New York, Chester Connecticut, Washington DC
2018 London, Washington DC, New York.
2017 Brussels, London, Canterbury, Rome, Paris
2016 Hong Kong, Brussels, Weilsbeke, Angers, Paris, London, Manchester, Rome,

2015 Rome, Florence, Italy, Hong Kong, Brussels, Flanders, Belgium
2014 Kerala, Southern India, London, Brussels, Rome, Hong Kong, Dubai, UAE.
2013 Hong Kong, Rome, New York, Southern India.
2012 London, Dubai, Rome, Hong Kong
2011 New York, Manchester, London, Rome, Dubai.
2010 Hong Kong, Guangzhou, London.
2009 Bahrain, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London, Hong Kong, Venice, Rome, Basel, Berlin, London, Guangzhou, China, Tibet. Zurich, Lucerne, London.
2008 Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Bahrain, Dubai, London, Belfast, Ireland, Edinburgh, Manchester, Chicago, New Harmony, New York, Los Angeles, (Metasenta Projects, RMIT University).
2007 Hong Kong, Guangzhou China, London, Belfast, Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow, Manchester, United Kingdom. Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, USA.
2006 Research: Paris (residency), Barcelona, London, Hong Kong, Korea, Tokyo, Japan, Shanghai.
2005 Research, San Francisco, Berlin, Frankfurt, Paris.
2004 Research / Installation. Paris, Germany, United Kingdom, China, Hong Kong.
2003–2004 Residency, Cite Internationale des Arts.
2001 Doctor of Philosophy: Victoria University, Melbourne.
2000–1996 Candidate for Doctor of Philosophy, Victoria University, Melbourne
Research Field Trip: New York, London, Oxford, Cambridge. Belgium, Paris, Chartres, Angers, Bourge, Le Man, Avignon, Ravenna, Venice, Perugia, Spoletto, Florence, Rome.
1992–94 Master of Fine Arts, Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne University.
1979–82 Keith and Elizabeth Murdoch Travelling Fellowship, Victorian College of the Arts, Paris, France.
Research, atelier installations, USA, Britain, Europe. Resided Paris – 1980–1983.
1977–78 Postgraduate Diploma of Painting, Victorian College of the Arts. Melbourne.
1975–76 Graduate Diploma of Art and Design, Preston Institute of Technology.
1974 Study tour, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Edinburgh, Dusseldorfe, Basel, Milan, Rome, Amsterdam (with Australian Artist Robert Hunter).
1972–73 Diploma of Fine Art, Prahran College of Advanced Education.

Theses
2001 Abstract and Figurative Elements of the Apocalypse and its Representations,
1996–2001 Doctor of Philosophy, Victoria, University, Melbourne.
1994 The Spiritual and the Mundane: Aspects of Scripture in the Modern World,
1992–94 Master of Fine Art, Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne University
1978 Breakdown of Space / Build up of Colour, 1978–79 VCA. PG.Dip, Melbourne University

 

 

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.