Dr Helen Bodycomb is one of Australia’s leading contemporary artist specialising in mosaic.
Mosaic is both a way of thinking – about creating single works through the assemblage of many small parts – and a way of making – traditionally using durable materials such as stone, glass and ceramic. Helen has practiced full-time as an artist working predominantly in stone and glass for more than 30 years. She also applies mosaic methodologies to more experimental artworks exploring ephemera and biodegradability. Helen’s innovative work with large sculptures for public sites, extend from the use of terrazzo to complex, precision inlays of kiln-fused glass features into multi-tonne basalt boulders.
Helen is internationally regarded as a leader in both theoretical and technical applications of mosaic and sculpture, and is widely professionally active; exhibiting, fulfilling commissions, guest teaching and presenting her work nationally and internationally. She has been pivotal to re-defining mosaic as an art form in Australia, having initially trained as painter (Victoria College, 1988-1990 and Monash University, 1993-94), also working under Maestro Giulio Candussio in Spilimbergo, Italy in 2001.
In August 2019 Helen completed her practice-led PhD in Visual Art with La Trobe University, Australia, her research project investigating ‘Mosaic: classical principles and the act of making in contemporary works’. This research sought to clarify and defend traditional mosaic conventions and assert how thinking in mosaic can augment wider contemporary art practice.
Download Helen Bodycomb’s CV here…
EDUCATION
2015-19 PhD in Visual Art (3 year PhD Scholarship recipient), La Trobe University, Vic.
1996 Masters Degree in Visual Art (Majoring in Painting), University of South Australia (deferred indefinitely)
1993-94 Graduate Diploma in Fine Art (Majoring in Painting), Monash University-Gippsland, Vic.
1988-90 Bachelor of Arts Degree (Fine Art – Majoring in Painting), Victoria College, Prahran, Vic.
PUBLIC ART PROJECTS, MAJOR COMMISSIONS, SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024 Doongalla, ngurrak barring Pubic Art Commission, Yarra Ranges & Parks Victoria
2022-2024 The Five Elements, Collaboration with Lee-Anne Clarke, City of Brimbank, Vic
2022 Spirit of Tasmania Ferry Terminal Public Art Commission, co-designer and artist, Geelong, Vic.
2021-22 Flying Quilt, fibreglass & ceramic sculpture, St Vincent’s Hospital for Caritas Christi, Kew, Vic.
2021 Entropy (stone and glass public sculpture commission), City of Casey, Cranbourne Vic.
2020-21 Synergy Exhibition (Lead Artist and Exhibitor), Lot 19 Gallery, Castlemaine, Vic.
2020 Freedom Flock, Pentridge Peace Memorial, City of Moreland, Vic. (collaborative Commission with Enver Camdal)
2019 Bibliomosaico, (International Exhibitor), Ravenna Mosaico, Ravenna, Italy
2019 Mosaicism: Thinking in mosaic, (final PhD Solo Exhibition) Lot 19 Gallery, Castlemaine, Vic.
2018 In Conversation, (Solo Exhibition), Phyllis Palmer Gallery, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Vic
2018 Transitions, (Group Exhibition), ACT Craft & Design Gallery, Canberra, ACT
2017 Time and Tide, (Group Exhibition), Alcaston Gallery, Fitzroy, Victoria
2017 Tasmanian Perspectives in Mosaic, (Group Exhibition), Mawson Pavilion, Hobart, Tasmania
2016 The Material and The Immaterial, (Solo exhibition),Phyllis Palmer Gallery, La Trobe University
2015 Lily Hester Memorial Commission, St Therese’s Primary School, Essendon Vic
2014 – 2015 RKM (Roadkill Mausoleum), collaborative multi-media installation, curated as part of the 2015 Castlemaine State Festival, Vic
2013 Futurescape, sculptural mosaic commission, ArtPlay, City of Melbourne, Vic
2013 Detritus(Solo Exhibition), Castlemaine State Festival, Castlemaine, Vic
2011 Blancmange(Solo Exhibition), Castlemaine State Festival, Castlemaine, Vic
2012 Re-Public Café feature stone artwork, Castlemaine, Vic
2011 St Peters Primary School mosaic (commission), Keilor, Vic.
2011 Ravenna Mosaico, Opere dal Mondo, (International Exhibitor), Ravenna, Italy
2010 The Shyness of Trees, (collaborativecommission), Hotel Penaga, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia
2009 Northcote Wayfinding Project, bronze inlay commission, City of Darebin, Vic
2009-10 World Within, World Without, Victorian State Memorial to Forgotten Australians, Commissioned by the Victorian State Government, Collection of The City of Melbourne, Southgate, Vic
2007-08 Once upon a slime, sculptural mosaic commission ArtPlay Mosaic Seat, City of Melbourne, Vic
2007 Gone but not forgotten, Post Office Place (commission), City of Moreland, Vic
2006 Anchor, Park Apartments feature wall mosaic(commission), Becton, Port Melbourne, Vic
2005 Forest Trail, ephemeral and permanent mosaic installation (Commission), City of Brimbank, Vic
2005 Integrated Art Elements, (Commission), Westgarth Kindergarten, Westgarth, Vic
2004-05 21 sq m commissioned wall mosaic, Fawkner Cemetery (Commission), Fawkner, Vic
2004 The Unswept Floor, The Harvest, (Commission), City of Boroondara, Vic
2003 Wesley College Environmental Interpretation Mosaic Sundial, (Commission), Chum Creek, Vic
2003 Doggies to Highpoint Community Mosaic Project, Missions Australia, Footscray, Vic
2002 margins, memories and markers – Port Stories, glass mosaic inlay with stone, City of Port Phillip, Vic (Commission recipient with Dianna Wells Design)
2001 Artist in Residence, La Scuola di Mosaicisti del Friuli, Spilimbergo, Italy
1999-2000 Untitled Fountain, sculptural mosaic commission, City of Wyndham, Werribee, Vic
2000 Moonee Ponds Creek Public Art Strategy, Vic (Artistic Coordinator/Co-Author with Collaborations)
1998-99 Mosaic Street Furniture Installation, 27 major glass mosaic artworks with stainless steel, Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach, NSW (Commission Recipient with Enver Camdal)
1998 Street Installation, 40+ works in mild and stainless steel and glass, High Street Westgarth, Vic (Commission Recipient with Enver Camdal)
1998-99 Floating Sculpture, stainless steel and fibreglass, Edwardes Lake, Reservoir Vic (Commission Recipient with Enver Camdal)
1998 Street Installation, 40+ works in mild and stainless steel and glass, High Street Westgarth, Vic (Commission Recipient with Enver Camdal)
1997 Wall and Floor Installations, glass mosaic and polyurethane sculpture Camberwell Market, Vic
(Commission Recipient with Enver Camdal)
1997 ‘Nest’, stone mosaic and fibreglass sculpture, Main Road/Luck Street Eltham, Vic (Commission Recipient with Enver Camdal)
1996 Mosaic and Sculpture, ceramic and mild steel, Queens Park, Moonee Ponds Vic (Project Coordinator with Paul Robinson)
1997 Pavement Mosaics, Bellair Street, Kensington, Vic (Project Coordinator with Paul Robinson)
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
2024 Mosaic & Glass magazine (Issue 6)
2023 Mosaicism – Thinking in Mosaic, Helen Bodycomb, Australia
2021 Mosaique – 80 artistes contemporains, Renée Antoine Malaval, Pyramyd, Paris, France
2021 Synergy Cover and Feature Article, Opus Oracle, July, Mosaic Association of Australia and New Zealand e-mag, Australia & New Zealand
2020 Cover and Feature Article, Groutline, e-journal for The Society of American Mosaic Artists, USA
2020 Cover and Feature Article, Grout, Issue 62 print Journal of British Association for Modern Mosaic, UK
2020 Article, Andamento, printJournal of British Association for Modern Mosaic, UK
2016 MOSAIC-aimc- In Contemporary World, Scuola Mosaicisti del Friuli, Italy
2016 Making mosaics in the Anthropocene Era, Mosaique Magazine, July, France
2014 SHED, Simon Griffiths, Lantern Books (Penguin Publishing), Melbourne
2011 An Ancient Craft Gets a Bigger World Stage, The New York Times, October 27, 2011
2008 The Divided Heart – Art and Motherhood, Rachel Power, Griffin Press, Melbourne, 2008
2008 Mosaic Art Now 2008, Mosaic Rocks LLC, USA
2006 Mosaic Now: works from Italy and Australia, Bundoora Homestead Arts Centre
2002 Modern Mosaic – Inspiration from the 20th Century, Tessa Hunkin, Quintet Publishing, London
AWARDS / OTHER
2024 Presenter, IOTA (Indian Ocean Craft Triennial), Curtin University, Perth, WA
2024 Presenter, CMA2 Conference, Eugene, Oregon, USA
2023 Coordinator 2024 MAANZ International Mosaic Symposium, Geelong, Vic.
2021 Invited Residency, Varuna National Writer’s Centre, Katoomba, NSW
2021 Juror’s Award for Synergy, MAANZ International Exhibition, Australia
2021 Keynote Speaker and Guest Lecturer, Mosaic Art NZ Symposium, Auckland, NZ
2021 – Director, Lot19 Creations Limited, Board Member, Castlemaine, Vic.
2021 – Victorian Branch Representative (joint role), Mosaic Association of Australia and New Zealand
2021 Regional Arts Fund exhibition grant received for The Synergy Project
2020 Sustaining Creative Workers grant (Creative Victoria)
2017, 2018, 2019, 2023 Tour Leader and Coordinator of 14 day Mosaic Study Tours in Italy
2018 – 21 Peer Assessor: Regional Arts Victoria, Regional Arts Australia, Creative Victoria
2016 La Trobe University Post Graduate Research Scholarship (3 year scholarship)
2011 In-Habit International travel award, for exhibition in Ravenna Mosaico, Ravenna, Italy
2008-09 International Juror for Society of American Mosaic Artists, Mosaic Arts International Exhibition, The Museum of Man, San Diego, California, USA
2006-11 Member Board of Management, Bundoora Homestead Arts Centre, Vic
2006-07 Curator – Mosaic Now: works from Italy and Australia (touring exhibition: Bundoora Homestead, Wangaratta Regional Gallery, Geelong Wool Museum, Mosman Gallery NSW)
2006 Artist in Residence – RimbunDahan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2001 Artist in Residence, La Scuola di Mosaicisti del Friuli, Spilimbergo, Italy
2001 Australia Council for the Arts (Community Cultural Development Project Grant)
2001 Arts Victoria, Discussion and Dialogue Grant
