EDUCATION:
2022 (onwards): Probationary PhD Candidate, Doctor of Philosophy (Visual and Performing Arts)
FEDERATION UNIVERSITY
Research Title: “Survival Memories: How representing and naming incest survival could challenge taboos, influence public discourse and ideologies, and contribute to social change through the history and tenacity of textiles”. (working title)
Supervisors: Associate Professor Carole Wilson and Dr Jillian Orr.
2021: Bachelor of Arts (Creative Arts) Honours
FEDERATION UNIVERSITY
Research Title: “(TEXT)iles: How feminist artists communicate survival messages through material thinking.”
Supervisor: Dr. Jillian Orr
2016 – 2020: Bachelor of Visual Arts (Fine Arts) with Distinction
FEDERATION UNIVERSITY
2006 – 2010: Master of Social Science (Policy & Human Services)
RMIT UNIVERSITY
2006: Certificate IV Training & Assessment
HOLMESGLEN INSTITUTE OF TAFE
2001-2004: Bachelor of Social Work (1st Class Honours)
RMIT UNIVERSITY
EXHIBITIONS & PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS:
April 2023: Textile Palette Exhibition (Group Show) - Clunes.
February-March 2023: ARTSPACE Ballarat, Solo Show - ‘One Persons’ Trash’
October 2022: ACUADS Conference 2022 – Public pedagogy: Forms of together. Presentation Title: Addressing the Incest Taboo: Materials & Methods as Change Agents.
Nov 22 – Jan 23: WOMEN*NOW , Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, Melbourne (Group Exhibition)
Oct – Dec 2022: Moorabool Shire Council , 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence Project Facilitator
Sep – Oct 2022 SOFT RAGE – Challenging male violence against women and girls. The Motley Bauhaus Gallery, Carlton (Group Exhibition)
November-Dec 2021: Federation University EYE Exhibition, Mining Exchange Ballarat, Graduating Students Exhibition (Honours Project)
2020-ongoing: COVID-19 Global Quilt. An ongoing virtual global quilt project and exhibition
July-August 2021: Federation University Benchmark Exhibition, Post Office Gallery Ballarat, Mixed media works: Daddy’s Girl & OfFather/OfLauren.
February-March 2021: Federation University EYE Exhibition, Post Office Gallery Ballarat, Graduating Students Exhibition
March 2019: Chillout Raising Rainbows Fundraising Exhibition & Auction, Palais Hepburn Springs, Watercolour Drawing, The fight for equity is never finished.
November 2018: Healthscope Australia, Mental Health Week Symposium Panellist, The lived experience of participating in open studio art therapy.
August 2018: Words in Winter Festival, Host & Facilitator, In Conversation with Clementine Ford and Maia Irell (Creativity & Feminism)
March 2018: Farmer’s Arms Daylesford Art Motel Launch Exhibition, Farmer’s Arms Hotel Daylesford, Ceramic Bowls
August 2017: Words in Winter Festival: Host and Presenter – Rainbow Families panel. Presenter & Presentation of Work on an Arts Panel – origins of artistic practice. Sketches & Reflections from a Psych Ward
July 2017: Federation University Benchmark Exhibition, Post Office Gallery Ballarat, Print – Robe Obelisk & Abstract Ceramic Sculpture
May 2017: OddBod Mysteries in Motion - Federation University Arts Academy Projected Animations – Ballarat Heritage Weekend (Animation – Summoning the Spirit of Ned Kelly)
November 2016: Federation University EYE Exhibition, Painting – Bridge Mall
July 2016: Federation University Benchmark Exhibition, Artist Book – Virginia Woolf
AWARDS, PRIZES AND GRANTS:
January 2023: Recipient of the Australian Government Research Training Program Fee Scholarship and Stipend.
January 2023: Creative Resident at Jungle Club Magnetic Island
August 2022: Creative City Ballarat (City of Ballarat). Recipient of professional 1 on 1 artwork photography session with David Bailey Photography.
June 2022: City of Ballarat / Regional Arts Victoria. Recipient of a Creative Inspiration Fund Grant
June 2022: Ballarat Arts Foundation, Small Equipment Grant Recipient
2021/22: Flack Design Studios, Recipient of the Rhonda Alexander Mentorship
May – November 2021: Ballarat Arts Foundation. Mentoring Program Participant – Mentee
December 2020: Federation University. Professional Practice Award – Final Year National Association for Visual Artists (NAVA Award)
March 2018: Federation University Specialist Equipment Grant
March 2018: Federation University KickStart Development Grant
June 2017: Albert Coates Trust / Ballaarat Club. Visual Arts Award for an Emerging 2nd Year Artist. Awarded: $2,500.00
2017: Federation University Equipment Grant
2016 – 2017: Federation University. Bachelor of Visual Arts (Fine Arts) Academic Achievement Award
November 2016: Federation University. 1st Year Student Academic Acknowledgement Award
2013: Creswick Foundation. Recipient of The Creswick Foundation Travelling Fellowship. Awarded: $12,000.00
MEDIA:
26 April 2023: Quoted in The Courier: https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/8171775/important-art-programs-secures-funding/
24 April 2023: My Place - Lauren Matthews (Melton and Moorabool Star Weekly) - https://meltonmoorabool.starweekly.com.au/news/my-place-26/.
25 February 2023: Marketplace a digital stitch in time (Ballarat Times) - https://timesnewsgroup.com.au/ballarat/news/marketplace-a-stitch-in-digital-time/
11 February 2023: Lauren Matthews holds first solo exhibition at ArtSpace Ballarat (The Courier): https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/8081330/one-persons-trash-is-another-persons-treasureor-so-they-say/
9 December 2022: More than just a quilt (Moorabool Times) - https://themooraboolnews.com.au/more-than-just-a-quilt/
25 November 2022: Sewing the seeds of change (Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly) - https://meltonmoorabool.starweekly.com.au/news/sewing-the-seeds-of-change/
COLLECTIONS:
Farmers Arms Hotel & Art Motel Daylesford
Stamford Park Homestead (Entrecote Group)
Private Collections.
MEMBERSHIPS:
• National Association of Visual Artists (NAVA) - Premium Plus with Insurance
• Lions Club of Quilters Victoria Inc.
• Ballarat Arts Alive
• Victorian Quilter’s Association Inc.
• Quilt Alliance (International)
• Ballan Artist Collective Inc.
• National Tertiary Education Union