Brigit Heller was born in Switzerland. In 1997 she moved to New Zealand to study design at Auckland University. 1998/1999 saw her complete a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne.
Brigit has been preoccupied with nature as well as our relationship with the natural world for a while. Her interest manifests itself through the use of materials, color and techniques. She takes great delight in the exploration of the everyday forms that surround us. Her creations are testimony to her interest in traditional crafts and techniques.
Being acutely aware of the fragility and the importance to maintain a healthy balance between environment and our lives, recycling, reusing and readapting plays a big role in Heller’s work.
Brigit has taken part in many exhibitions around Australia. She has been a finalist in some of the major art prizes in Australia. Her work is held in public and private collections as well as in public spaces.
Brigit is in the process of completing a Masters of Visual Arts at Monash University.
"At the center of my arts practice is the interaction between nature and its inhabitants. The works reflect my concern and awareness for the environment. I look at creating images that are able to tell the story of a place. I am greatly influenced by my experiences and I see my works as a diary that reflects my journey. I seek to play and expose and rearrange materials and as a consequence try to surprise and engage the viewer. By creating connections I hope to reignite something lost in everyone’s past.
I migrated to Australia 14 years ago. This has given me the advantage to “seeing things from an outside perspective”. Before moving to Australia I explored many parts of the world.
I live in Central Victoria, in a rural setting, closeness to nature and interaction with the environment is an essential part of my life and my arts practice. I have been teaching regularly over the last few years. I see interaction with others as a vital part for reflection and expansion of myself as a person and artist." Brigit Heller, 2015
Art Related Education
Masters of Visual Arts, Monash University, Melbourne in progress
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Victorian College of the Art, Melbourne
Certificate of Art and Design, Auckland Institute of Technology
Tutor at Australian Academy of Design
Solo Shows
September 2018 ‘Solitude, visitors and the village’ with Michelle Mantsio
August 2016 ‘Between the Light and Darkness’ Stockroom Kyneton
March 2016 ‘Water and Sky” Manyung Gallery, Malvern
September 2015 “Brigit Heller” Manyung Gallery, Mount Eliza
October 2012 “I don’t want to drown” Mars Gallery Melbourne
November 2005 “The Other Side” Icon Museum of Art, Deakin University
March 2005 “Island”, McClelland Sculpture Park, Langwarrin
Aril 2001 “His and Hers”, The Band Hall Gallery, Kyneton
February 2000 “The Graft” an installation on Herring Island, Melbourne
January 2000 “Precieux”, the Bank Hall Gallery, Kyneton
Selected Group Shows
March 2018 ‘Landfall’ Lorne Sculpture Biennale
March 2017 ‘Beached Verandah Project’, Port Fairy
October 2016 ‘Montsalvat Arts Festival’ Eltham
September 2015 ‘Montsalvat” Arts Festival’, Elthham VIC
April 2015 ‘From Nature’, Gasworks Art Park, Melbourne
October 2014 Contemporary Small Sculpture Award, Deakin University Melbourne
March 2014 Lorne Sculpture Biennale, Lorne
May 2013 Toorak Village Sculpture Festival, Melbourne
February 2013 Montalto Sculpture Prize, Red Hill VIC
November 2012 Backyard Exhibition, Art Gallery of Ballarat
October 2011/09 Lorne Sculpture Biennale
2011/08/06/05/04 Toorak Village Sculpture Festival, Melbourne
2011/10 aRtECYCLE Incinerator Arts Complex, Monee Ponds
October 2010 Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award
February 2010 Williamstown Arts Festival, Williamstown
February 2007 The Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award Werribee Park
October 2003 McClelland Survey&Award, Langwarren VIC
March 2003 “Site Unseen”, Bendigo Art Gallery
January 2003 Montalto Sculpture Prize, Red Hill VIC
2002/01/00 Fundere Sculpture Prize Yarra Sculptre Space Melbourne
March 2002 The Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award, Werribee Park
March 2002/00 The Cental Goldfield Sculpture Award, Maryborough
September 2001 “Give me dirt” Yarra Sculpture Space, Melbourne
March 2001 Sculpture at Seawinds, Arthurs Seat, Mornington Peninsula
October 2000 National Sculpture Exhibition, Gasworks Park Melbourne
Awards
2016 Nillumbik Art Award, Highly commended and packing room award
2013 Second Prize, Toorak Villlage Sculpture Award
2011 Lorne Sculpture Biennale, MARS Gallery Prize
2011 Moonee Valley aRtECYCLE Award
2009 Regional Artist Award Lorne Sculpture Exhibition
2006 Winner of the Toorak Place Award
2003 Toorak village Sculpture Festival, Highly commended
2002 Winner of the world sculpture news prize
2001 The Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award,
Highly Commended and winner of popular choice award
2000 Certificate of Merit, Inaugural Cleveland Exhibition, Lancefield
2000 Central Goldfields Sculpture Awards 2000, Highly Commended
1998 National Gallery of Victoria Trustees Award
1998 Andor Mesaros Sculpture Prize, Highly commended
Commissions
2018 Mike and Maria Smith, Bellarine VIC
2018 John Henderson, Lorne
2015 Marchese Family, Camberfield VIC
2013 “Sister City Concept”, New Library Project, Bendigo
2012 “Outrospective” City of Ballarat
2010 Twigs on Main,Romsey
2008 “Habitad” Spaces Design Group, Armadale
2005 “Poles Apart” Deakin University, Burwood Hwy
2004 “The Guardian” Wyndham City Council
2003 “Sculpture by the Creek” Vic Health and Mt. Alexander Shire
2001 “..and kingdom come” Parks and Wildlife, Tasmania
2000 FHA Image Design, Melbourne
2000 “Wattle Gully reborn” Parks Victoria, Castlemain
1999 “a plain tree” G.&C. Carpenter, Richmond
Publications
2018 CRAFT Victoria – selling yourself
2018 AABAT – Art in the bush, adventure therapy
2016 Montalsvat Arts Festival, Giant Weaving
2016 ‘Phoenix arts project’ Fire recovery program, Lancefield
2015 Montsalvat, Arts Festival, on creativity
2015 Megafauna-Festival, Lancefield
2015 Beeac – Window Space
2012 Australian Art Revew, “I don’t want to drown”
2012 “I don’t want to drown”, the Art Collector and Blah Magazin
2011 “Lorne Sculpture 2011” Art in Geelong
2011 “aRtECYCLE” Monee Valley Weekly
2009 “Anything goes” Macedon Ranges Weekly
2009 Sculpture Coast, Lorne Sculpture Exhibition, Ian Macrae
2007 “Numbered among the talented, The Herald Sun, Harbant Gill
2006 “The Guardians” Wyndham Arts Magazine
2005 “Responses to the environment” essay by Ken Scarlett
2005 “The Island” Exhibition Catalogue by Penny Teale
2004 “Work of the week” The Age by Victor Gurvich
2004 AGIdeas, Fourteenth International Creative Event
Guest Speaker, Catalogue and Publication
2003 McClelland Survey Award, The Age by Robert Nelson
2003 McClelland Survey Award, Herald Sun
2002 “Rebirth of Sculpture in Australia, Art+Australia, Louise Martin-Chew
2002 “Sculptures fit for a Mansion”, The Age by Robert Nelson
2001 Central Goldfield Sculpture Exhibition Catalogue, Robert Nelson
2000 “Sculpture Show at Gasworks” The Age by Megan Blackhouse