Julia deVille
In the art of taxidermy gesture is paramount, hence for
sculptor Julia deVille the most considered aspect of
creation is composing her subjects to find a balance
between pathos, humour and dignified realism.
Arriving in Australia from New Zealand on the cusp of
adulthood, deVille trained as a jeweller and learned further
crafting skills studying shoe design before her long hunt
for a taxidermy mentorship was successful. Driven by a
strong commitment to animal rights, deVille’s sculptural
assemblages belie the heroic, trophy- hunting culture
associated with mounting dead animals. In a form of
gentle protest she combines precious gems and metals
with antique ‘ready-mades’ to challenge our disregard for
and consumption of both wild and domesticated fauna.
Drawing on Renaissance, Baroque and Victorian art and
ideas, deVille creates contemporary ‘memento mori’ that
raise our curiosity through the use of paradoxical processes
and materials. While all deVille’s creatures have died a
natural death, they live on as beautiful and compelling
allegories, begging a reflection on our symbiotic but
decidedly unequal relationship with the animal world and
our cavalier disregard for mortality in general.
Commissioned by Hobart’s MONA to create a permanent
installation in 2011, deVille also won the City of Hobart Art
Prize in 2012. She has taken out the People’s Choice Award
in the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize twice, and in 2006
her work was included in the MCA’s important Primavera
survey exhibition. deVille’s work was acquired by the
National Gallery of Victoria in 2012. She exhibits regularly in
Australia and overseas.
education
selected solo exhibitions
2004
Introduction to Gems and Gemmology, Gemmological
Association of Australia
2003
Advanced Diploma in Gold and Silversmithing, North
Melbourne Institute of TAFE
2015
Lullaby, Jan Murphy Gallery, brisbane
2014
Phantasmagoria Sophie Gannon Gallery, melbourne
2013
Degustation, National Gallery of Victoria, melbourne
For days unnumbered, Jan Murphy Gallery, brisbane
2012
Sarcophagus, Sophie Gannon Gallery, melbourne
2011
Nevermore, JamFactory, adelaide
2010
Night’s Plutonian Shore, Sophie Gannon Gallery, melbourne
Julia deVille, Aesop Stores, london.
2009
Cineraria, Sophie Gannon Gallery, melbourne
2008
Ossuarium, Craft Victoria, melbourne
Prey, Eastern Market, melbourne
Memento Mori, The Dowse Art Gallery, new zealand
Élan Vital, e.g.etal Galleries, melbourne
2006
Vivere Disce, Cogita Mori, Fat 3000, GPO, melbourne
Here I Lie And Wait For Thee, e.g.etal Galleries, vic
2005
DISCE MORI, tsubi Flagship Store, new york
PULUIS ET UMBRA SUMUS, e.g.etal galleries & Workshop
3000 window, melbourne
selected group exhibitions
2016
Cornucopia, Shepparton Art Museum, vic
2014
Phantasmagoria, Art Gallery of South Australia, dark heart:
adelaide biennale of australian art, adelaide
Sophie Gannon Gallery, Melbourne art fair, melbourne
Scope Galleries Art Award, Scope Galleries, vic
Domestic Bliss, Deakin University Art Gallery, melbourne
2013
Melbourne Now, National Gallery of Victoria, melbourne
Australia, Contemporary Voices, The Fine Art Society,
london
Jan Murphy Gallery, sydney contemporary art fair,
sydney
Sophie Gannon Gallery, sydney contemporary art fair,
sydney
selected group exhibitions (contd)
2013
Diorama, Woolongong City Gallery, vic
Second Nature, PM Gallery & House, london
Wonderworks, The Cat Street Gallery, hong kong
2012
Small Works, Jan Murphy Gallery, brisbane
Theatre of the World, Museum of Old and New Art (MONA),
hobart
Unexpected Pleasures, A Design Museum, london
2011
Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor, Gallery Artisan, brisbane
Lugosi’s Children, Objectspace, auckland
Wattle: Australian Contemporary Art, The Cat Street Gallery,
hong kong
2009
Schmuck 2009, Munich Trade Fair Centre, munich
Schmuck 2009, RMIT Gallery, melbourne
2008
Just Must, 2007-2008, Estonian History Museum, tannin
Gothic Fashion, Fashion Institute of Technology, new york,
usa
Neo Goth, Back in Black, The University of Queensland Art
Museum, brisbane
The New Victorians, Sydney University Art Gallery, nsw
Art Multiple, Ke Centre for the Contemporary Arts,
shanghai
2007
Jewellery Out of Context, CODA Museum, netherlands
Romancing The Stone, Manchester Town Hall, uk
Infinite Empire, Contemporary Art Services Tasmania,
hobart
2007
City of Hobart Art Prize, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery,
hobart
PRIMAVERA, Museum of Contemporary Art, sydney
Cicely & Colin Rigg Contemporary Design Award, National
Gallery of Victoria, melbourne
2005
Uncanny (the unnaturally strange), Artspace, auckland, nz
Filippo Raphael Fresh Awards, Craft Victoria, vic
2004
Amalgamation, NMIT Graduate Exhibition, vic
Continum Sombrous, Gertrude Contemporary Art Space,
melbourne
awards & prizes
2015
Finalist, Woollahra Small Scuplture Prize, sydney
Finalist, Victorian Craft Award, melbourne
2014
Scope Galleries Award, vic
2013
Winner, Woollahra Small Scuplture Prize, sydney
Winner, Vermont Award, Wallace Art Awards
Finalist, City of Hobart Art Prize
Finalist, Wilson Art Award
2012
Winner, City of Hobart Art Prize
2011
Viewer’s Choice Winner, Woollahra Small Scuplture Prize,
sydney
2010
Viewer’s Choice Winner, Woollahra Small Scuplture Prize,
sydney
Creation Grant, Arts Victoria
2008
Creation Grant, Arts Victoria
New Work Grant, Australia Council
2006
Presentation Grant, Arts Victoria
Creation Grant, Arts Victoria
2005
New Work Grant, Australia Council
Finalist, City of Hobart Art Prize
Filippo Raphael Fresh Awards, Craft Victoria, vic
collections
Besen Collection, melbourne
Hobart City Council, hobart
The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), hobart
National Gallery of Victoria, melbourne
Private Collections nationally and internationally