Dr Zoe Veness
Zoë Veness is an artist, designer and educator specialising in contemporary jewellery and objects. She has a background in classical ballet and design, graduating with a Diploma of Dance from the Australian Ballet School in Naarm (Melbourne), followed by a Bachelor of Design, Master of Design (Research) and Doctor of Philosophy from Â鶹Éçmadou Art & Design.ÌýShe was artist-in-residence at Bundanon (2010) and Edinburgh College of Art (2006).
Zoë’s practice explores aesthetics of time through craft methodologies informed by interests in notions of place, movement and materiality. She employs a dichotomous approach to making, with investigations oscillating between experimental methods with paper and metal mediums.
Zoë has developed numerous projects for solo exhibitions including, Still Point at Gallery Funaki (2024), The Stream of Time at Woollahra Gallery (2022), New Terrain in an Old World at Craft + Design Canberra (2017), The Infinite Fold at JamFactory (2009), Mathematical Beauty at the Australian Design Centre (2006) and Alchemical Analogies at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery (2005).
Her work has been selected for national and international award exhibitions including, Contemporary Wearables Biennial Jewellery Award Exhibition at Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery (2023, 2007, 2001) in which she was awarded the winning prize in 2023, National Contemporary Jewellery Award at Griffith Regional Art Gallery (2022, 2016 and 2004) in which she was awarded the winning prize for 'non-precious' jewellery in 2004, ITAMI International Jewellery Exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Crafts in Japan (2015) and Talente at the International Handwerksmesse (Craft Fair) in Germany (2002).
She has collaborated with artists on exhibition projects including, Vestige at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (2023), Affinity at STACKS Projects (2019), Wayfaring at Craft + Design Canberra (2019) and Remanence at Domain House for the Ten Days on the Island Festival (2017). Her work was included in the national touring exhibitions, Made/Worn, Australian Contemporary Jewellery organised by the Australian Design Centre (2020-2023), Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor: 100 Women, 100 Brooches, 100 StoriesÌýorganised by Museum and Gallery QLD (2011-2014), and Excessory, Contemporary Australian JewelleryÌýorganised by Museums & Galleries of NSW (2010-2011).
Her work is held in collections at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of South Australia, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, and Griffith Regional Art Gallery.
Before joining Â鶹Éçmadou Art & Design in 2018, Zoë was Studio Coordinator of Object Design at the University of Tasmania, School of Creative Arts and Media.
She was Art & Design Director of Education in 2021 and is currently Deputy Head of School (Design) and Program Director of the Bachelor of Design and Master of Design programs.
Zoë developed new courses in the Object disciplinary studio in the Bachelor of Design (2018-2019) which includes jewellery and ceramics. She supervises Masters and PhD students in the areas of contemporary craft, contemporary jewellery, jewellery history, object design and textiles design.
Her work can be viewed at
- Publications
- Media
- Grants
- Awards
- Research Activities
- Engagement
- Teaching and Supervision
2023 Â鶹Éçmadou Art & Design Research Grant
2019 Exhibition Development Fund, Contemporary Arts Tasmania
2017 Australia Council for the Arts, Arts Project Grant
2012 Â鶹Éçmadou Postgraduate Research Student Support Travel Grant
2011 Australian Postgraduate Award
2011 Â鶹Éçmadou Art & Design Top Up Scholarship
2006 Australia Council for the Arts, Visual Arts Development Grant
2005 Craft-in-Site Grant, Australian Design Centre
2003 Postgraduate Research Grant, Â鶹Éçmadou Art & Design
2002 Australia Council for the Arts, Visual Arts Development Grant
My Research Supervision
Chloe Congdon, (PhD practice-based, secondary supervisor),ÌýHealing, Reverie and Soma’Sensory Anchors: Designing objects of soft fascination to move from fight and flight, to flow and flourishÌý
Caitlin Dubler, (PhD practice-based, joint supervisor), The geology of glass: Critical craft as a methodological approach revealing material durations
Jingwen Yuan, (PhD practice-based, joint supervisor), Poetic translations and embodiment: Virtual materials and data transformations in contemporary jewellery practice
Changrui He, (PhD practice-based, joint supervisor), Modularity and Adaptation of Textile and Apparel Products: Construction Systems for a Sustainable Future
Chantelle Baistow, (PhD practice-based, secondary supervisor),ÌýA design-led exploration of energy transition in the NSW Central Coast and Hunter regions through recycled coal ash provotyping in 3D-printed ceramics with industry and community stakeholders
Emma Peters, (PhD practice-based, joint supervisor), Designing new circular economy pathways for post-consumer textile waste in the interior textile industriesÌý
Julie Oliver, (PhD, joint supervisor), Social Jewels: Bridging the gap between museum collections and colonial jewellery narratives
Completions
Inoka Samarasekara, (PhD practice-based, joint supervisor), Acts of preservation and renewal: Remaking traditional forms of Sri Lankan jewellery impacted by colonisation and globalisationÌý
Kyoko Hashimoto, (MFA practice-based, joint supervisor), Bioregional Bodies: Place-based making and experimental design practices in contemporary jewelleryÌý
Julie Oliver, (MPhil, joint supervisor), Hidden Jewellery Revealed: an exploration of social status through the Rouse Hill House jewellery collection, 1801 to 1924
Ìý
Ìý