Bio
Penny Coss lives and works on the lands of the Boorloo, Perth and Gadigal , Sydney, Australia. She holds a Master of Fine Arts (Research) from the University of New South Wales, Sydney (2024) and also studied in the undergraduate programme at St Martin's School of Art, London. Recent solo exhibitions include Stratigraphic Thinking UNSWArt and Design , University of New South Wales, Australia, (2024), Anxious Moments Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery Perth International Arts Festival (2020) and Undercurrent19 Fremantle Biennale, Western Australia (2019). She has realised solo performances The Tides are Always with me at Woollahra Galleries at Redleaf , Sydney, NSW (2024) and Pendulum Acts at Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery Perth International Arts Festival (2020). Her work has been shown nationally and internationally since 1994. Coss's work explores the intersections of stratigraphy, geology, and archival research, integrating these elements with site-specific fieldwork. Through international residencies, her recent research examined Icelandic stratigraphic lava fields and Australian Stromatolite habitats in Gathaagudu and Nyamal, Western Australia.
A multi award winner, Coss has exhibited in significant institutions, including Carriageworks, Sydney, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, Art Gallery of Western Australia , Lawrence Wilson Gallery and internationally at Itami Arts Museum, Japan, Pakuranga Arts Centre, Manukau, Aotearoa New Zealand and Singapore ArtStage. Her 2020 installation and performance, commissioned by the Perth Festival, highlighted new approaches of engagement with her immersive environments. Coss’s works are held in major public and corporate collections including the Itami Arts Museum, Osaka, Japan . Penny has been awarded public art commissions, notably Terminal 1 International Airport, Western Australia (2016). Penny is represented by ACWA (Art CollectiveWA) and Madeline Gordon Gallery, Tasmania.
Education
2021-2024 | Masters of Fine Arts (Research) University of New South Wales, Sydney |
1990 | Post Grad Diploma Visual Arts, University of New South Wales, Sydney |
1987-1989 | Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales, Sydney |
1986 | St Martin’s College of Art, London, United Kingdom |
1982 | Diploma of Teaching, Macquarie University, NSW |
Solo Exhibitions
2024 | Sediment Pours, Madeline Gordon Gallery, Tasmania Stratigraphic Thinking, AD Space, Art and Design University of New South Wales, Australia . |
2023 | Tidal Creep 4th Wall Gallery, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
2022 | So into You, Art CollectiveWA, Western Australia |
2021 | Changing Patterns, Art CollectiveWA, Western Australia |
2020 | Anxious Spaces, Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery Perth International Arts Festival |
2019 | Piecemeal Ecologies: Possibilities for Patterning, Airspace Projects, Sydney Black and Blue - Tender Landscapes The Lobby Gallery, WA |
2018 | From Someplace Else ArtCollectiveWA |
2017 | Ships that Pass, PS Art Space Fremantle, WA (with Jo Darbyshire) |
2014 | Landscape Stains ArtStage Singapore Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Tectonic Forces and the Winds of Change Spot81Gallery, Sydney, Australia (with Peter Pinson) |
2012 | Out There, Mossenson Galleries, Melbourne, Australia (with Penny Bovell) |
2011 | Island, Perth Galleries, Perth Western Australia |
2010 | Light Works, Harrison Galleries, Sydney, Australia |
2009 | Wetlands, Harrison Galleries, Sydney, Australia |
2008 | Force of Nature, Perth Galleries Perth Western Australia |
2007 | Inversion of a Flat Lake,Perth Galleries, Perth Western Australia |
2005 | Illegal Landscapes, Perth Galleries, Western Australia |
2004 | Straight Talk, Mossenson Galleries, Melbourne, Australia |
2003 | Green Series, Perth Galleries, Perth Western Australia |
2001 | Wild Wheat Ballidu Art Gallery, Ballidu, Western Australia |
2000 | Batavia, PICA , Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, WA |
1999 | Displacement And Identity, The Moore's Building, Perth Western Australia |
1994 | Batavia Traces Drawing Installation, The Tin Sheds, University of Sydney, Australia |
Selected Group Shows
2024 | Matter, Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf , Sydney. |
2023 | Materiality, The Draw Space, Sydney, |
2022 | Material Language, Australian National Capital Artists (ANCA) Inc. In Deep , Gallery25, School of Arts and Humanities, Edith Cowan University , WA. |
2020 | Anxious Spaces, Perth International Arts Festival, Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, University of WA. |
2019 | Undercurrent19 Fremantle Biennale, WA www.fremantlebiennale.com.au/undercurrent/ Natura, Flux Gallery, Perth, WA Dobell Drawing Prize National Art School, Sydney |
2018 | Flora, Cruthers’ Collection of Women’s Art, Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, University of WA |
2017 | John Stringer Art Award, Australian Capital Equity, Kerry Stokes Galleries, WA WaterLine, Fremantle Biennale, WA Visitants, FORM Gallery, WA ‘all matter has a past’, Verge Gallery, Sydney NSW Ravenswood Art Award for Women, Sydney, NSW. |
2015 | Epic Narratives, PICA, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, WA |
2014 | Vanishing Point Level One Gallery, Hilton Hotel Adelaide, South Australia |
2013 | Sydney Contemporary13, Carriageworks, Sydney, NSW |
2012 | Pure Contemplation Without Knowledge, Nyisztor Gallery, Perth Fremantle Print Award, Fremantle Arts Centre, Perth Western Australia |
2011 | Rex-Livingston Gallery, Mt Eyre Vineyards Art Prize, Sydney, NSW |
2010 | Melbourne Art Fair, Melbourne, Victoria The Yellow Vest Syndrome, Fremantle Arts Centre, WA The Alice Contemporary Art Prize, Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT |
2005 | Canberra Invitational Art Prize, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
2004 | Te tuhi - the mark, Pakuranga Arts Centre, Manukau, Aotearoa, NZ |
2003 | Melbourne Contemporary Art Fair, Melbourne, Australia Artfair 03, Fremantle Passenger Terminal, Western Australia Miniature Works, Gallery Gallery, Kyoto, & Museum Of Art And Craft, Itami, Japan |
2002 | Itami Museum of Art and Craft, Osaka, JAPAN |
1988 | Sculpture by the Sea, National Olympic Arts Festival, Albany, Western Australia |
1997 | The Western Australian Folding Exhibition, The Textile Exchange Project, Gallery East, Western Australia |
1994- 1996 | Mine Own Executioner, Portrait Award. Mundaring Arts Centre, Western Australia Folding, An Exhibition Of Works In Fibre, National Textile Exchange Project Kyoto, Japan. Folding, An Exhibition Of Works In Fibre, Textile Exchange Project Canberra International Contemporary Arts Centre, Itami Art Museum Kyoto, Japan Bunbury Regional Galleries, Bunbury, Western Australia Mandorla Art Prize, Perth, Western Australia. The Jacaranda Drawing Prize, Grafton Regional Art Gallery, New South Wales. Midland Centennial Art Acquisition, Midland, Western Australia. Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Invitation Exhibition, Perth, Western Australia No. 7 The Moores Building, Fremantle, Wa. Works On Paper, James Harvey Gallery, Sydney, Australia Flux, Airspace, Redfern, Nsw Art Of Our Age, 5x8 Installation, Airspace, Sydney, Australia Australian Fibre Art Now Reptilia Salon, Sydney, Australia Fishers Ghost Art Award, Campbelltown Regional Art Gallery, Nsw Telecom Art Award, Ivan Dougherty Gallery, Sydney, Australia |
Performances
2024 | The Tides are Always With Me, Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf , Sydney, NSW |
2023 | Spells for Weather, Dirt Witches , Lawns of Bundanon Trust , NSW Turbid Sweep, Draw Space, Sydney, NSW |
2022 | Position Uncertain, Art CollectiveWA, WA |
2020 | Pendulum Acts, Perth International Arts Festival, University of Western Australia, WA |
Grants
2022 | Faculty Research Grant, UNSW Art, Design & Architecture, Sydney, NSW |
2021 | Research Scholarship, UNSW Art, Design & Architecture, Sydney, NSW |
2020 | Large Project Grant, Department of Culture and the Arts, WA |
1997 | Project Grant , New York School of Art Drawing Marathon , Department of Culture and the Arts |
Awards
2020 | Winner Perth Royal Art Prize, Western Australia. |
2015 | Highly Commended Mid-West Art Prize, Geraldton Regional Art Gallery WA. |
2009 | Winner Mt Eyre Art Award, Sydney, NSW. |
1997 | Winner Kimberly Drawing Award, Western Australia |
1995 | Winner Fremantle Woolstores Art Award, WA. |
1996 | Winner Albany Art Award, Western Australia. |
Teaching / Employment / Professional Appointments
2021-2023 | Chairperson, Artsource, Perth, WA |
2013-2014 | Founding Board Member ArtCollectiveWA, Perth, WA. |
2012-2014 | Board Member, Artsource, Perth, WA |
2004-2008 | Lecturer, Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts, University of Western Australia |
1995-2004 | Lecturer, Central School of Art & Design, WA |
1995-2004 | Environmental Art and Design, MIDLAND TAFE, WA |
2000-2004 | Atelierista Reggio Emilia Bold Park Community School, Perth WA |
Residencies
2018 | NES Residency, Skagastrond, ICELAND |
2015 | Pilbara Residency, FORM Western Australia |
2001 | The Bank, Contemporary Art Space, Ballidu , Western Australia |
Commissions
2017 | Crown Towers, Perth, WA |
2016 | Perth International Airport, Terminal 1 |
2015 | St John of God Hospital, Midland (shortlisted) |
2015 | Art and Business Subiaco Council |
2008 | Leeuwin Estate Art Series Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority/Central Institute of Technology |
Collections
Artbank
BankWest
Central Institute of Technology, WA
Chevron
Crown Towers
Cruther’s Collection of Women’s Art
Derwent Collection, Tasmania
Edith Cowan University Collection
Fremantle City Art Collection
Geraldton Regional Art Gallery of Western Australia
Holmes a’ Court Collection
Kerry Stokes Collection
King Edward Memorial Hospital Art Collection, Western Australia
Leeuwin Estate Art Collection
Macquarie Bank Art Collection
MLC Collection, WA
New South Wales College of TAFE
Ritz Carlton
Royal Perth Hospital Art Collection, Western Australia
Swan Shire Art Collection WA
UNSW Art and Design
University of Western Australia
Wesfarmers Art Collection, Australia
Woodside
Bibliography
Reviews
Paul Boye | https://semaphoreart.net/The-ring-is-an-object-of-ritual Long Kiss Goodbye, PIAF, Perth International Arts Festival |
Miranda Johnson | SeeSaw Magazine https://www.seesawmag.com.au/2020/03/emotional-terrain 2020 |
Jenny Scott | https://www.seesawmag.com.au/news/a-dreamy-exploration-of-emotion-and-the-ocean/ 2019 |
Rushil D’Cruz | Pelican Magazine, 2019 http://pelicanmagazine.com.au/2019/08/30/natura-review/ |
B.Hermawan | Review: Visitants: Close encounters of the Remote Kind. SeeSaw Magazine, 2017 https://www.seesawmag.com.au/news/close-encounters-of-the-remote-kind/ |
Ric Spencer | The West Australian Newspaper, Sat 29 April 2007 |
Rex Butler | Australian Art Collector Magazine, Art of Its Times, 2004, p118 |
Ric Spencer | The West Australian Newspaper, Breaking The Laws Of Abstraction |
Simon Blond | West Australian Newspaper, Signs of Life, 12/07/03 |
Nyanda Smith | Painter and Juggler, Today Arts, Thurs 10/07/03 |
Nikki Miller | Art Today, The West Australian Newspaper, Aug 16, 1995 |
Peter Duggan | Real Experience or mere information, Art Monthly, Aug, 1994 |
Fran Thompson | SBS TV, News, May, 1994 |
Catalogues
Gemma Weston | Long Kiss Goodbye, PIAF, Perth International Arts Festival, 2020 http://www.lwgallery.uwa.edu.au/ __data/assets/pdf_file/0008/3445271/LKG-gatefold-eversion.pdf |
J,Boyce & G.Sikich | Continuity and Change, Future, 2019 Midland Arts Centre, WA |
Andrew Nicholls | Visitants, 2019 FORM, http://www.andrewnicholls.com.au/visitants |
Michelle Elliot | Scylla, bodies, water : Ships that Pass Jo Darbyshire and Penny Coss ISBN798-0-9807735-2-1 2017 |
Leigh Robb | Epic Narratives, Salon, PICA, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, WA, http://pica.org.au/show/picasalon-2015 |
Felicity Johnston | Landscape Stains Artstage Singapore, Art CollectiveWA, 2014 |
Jasmin Stephens | Yellow Manoeuvres, Yellow Vest Syndrome: Recent West Australian Art, Fremantle Arts Centre. 2009 |
Artbank | Magazine,Western Australia News, 2008 |
Stuart Eliott | Mine Own Executioner, 1998 |
Virginia Rigney | Folding: An Exhibition of works in Fibre, 1998 |
Rosie Kerr | Recent Acquisitions Midland Centennial, WA, 199 |
Essays
Jenny Scott | Reflections on Penny Coss, Perth Festival 2020 https://www.perthfestival.com.au/news/reflectionson-penny-coss-pendulum-acts/ |
Michele Elliot | Scylla-Bodies-Water, Catalogue essay, PS Art Space, WA, 2017 ISBN 798-0-9807735-2-1 |
L. Morrison | Penny Coss & Penny Bovell Artist Profile Magazine Issue 26, Feb 2014,https://www.dropbox.com/s/ 8exyk51iju2qlgu/2013_AP26_Penny_Coss_and_Penny_Bovell.pdf?raw=1 |
Karen Brown | Artifacts Magazine Art Gallery of Western Australia July 2014 |
Dr Phil McNamara | Artists Prompting Creative Capacity, Perth Galleries 2011 |
Books
David Bromfield | Waves The Edith Cowan University Art Collection", 2009 pp154-7, ISBN 978-0-7298-0673-2. |