Kurt Brereton

Biography

Dr Kurt Brereton was born in Australia in 1955. A mid career visual and digital media artist, writer and creative arts & design academic, Kurt currently lives on the south coast of NSW at Currarong beach.

Brereton's first solo exhibition was at Bondi Pavillion Gallery Sydney in 1980 and since then has mounted over 30 solo exhibitions in Australia and overseas (USA, England, Germany, Japan, Ireland and Taiwan).

Brereton resigned from full time academia in 2001 to concentrate on his art and writing career. He continues to teach art at various tertiary and community institutions on a part time basis and until recently was Adjunct Professor at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

In 2005 Hyper-Taiwan: Art, Design, Culture was published by Art & Collection (Taiwan). In 2008 Luscious, a monograph on Brereton's recent art career was published by Lakeside Arts (USA) in conjunction with a solo exhibition of his paintings and videos in New York.

In July 2009 a major survey exhibition of over 70 works spanning the previous decade was mounted at the Wollongong City Art Gallery. Brereton won the James Kiwi Watercolour Prize in 2010. Coalcliff Days exhibition (curated with Ken Bolton and Sal Brereton) ran from May 15 -June 12, 2011 at the Wollongong City Gallery.

Brereton co-edited the anthology Coalcliff Days with Ken Bolton and Sal Brereton. Brereton was new media artist in residence at Gymea Technology High School, Sydney during 2010. We Are A Movie (Collected Artist Books) published by Jellied Tongue Press was publlished in 2011. A monograph on Kurt Brereton's art More Is Plenty edited by Ken Bolton was published by JTP in 2011. In 2012 Brereton held painting, sculpture and photography exhibitions at Compton Gallery and Gallery Paquette in Boonton NJ USA. Video and digital live online performances were conducted in Berlin, Athens and Tokyo. Greek Myths for the 21st Century, The Pathetic Manifesto and Cuteology were published in 2012. In 2015 Test Results: Art and Virality was published followed in 2016 by Shock of the Ordinary: Photographs 1975 - 2015.

Solo exhibitions Test Results (2015) and Currarong Encounters(2015) were held at the Shoalhaven Regional Art Gallery. Brereton's solo show Biographs was seen at the same gallery in Nov 2016 - Jan 2017. In Febuary 2017 his solo exhibition Orpheus Island: From Coral to Coal on the Great Barrier Reef was held at M16 Gallery in Canberra.

Latest solo exhibition is currently on at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum in September 8 - November 25 2018 titled Report from the Littoral Zone.

Currently, Brereton is writing an historical anti-novel titled Living With Monsters to be published by JTP in 2019.

Art Exhibitions

Solo Shows

2018
– Report from the Littoral Zone, Jervis Bay Maritime Museum Gallery, Huskisson

2017
– Orpheus Island: Great Barrier Reef, M16 Artspace Gallery, Canberra

2016
– Biographs, Shoalhaven Regional Art Gallery, Nowra

2015
– Currarong Encounters, Shoalhaven Regional Art Gallery, Nowra
– Test Results, process paintings - Shoalhaven Regional Art Gallery, Nowra

2012
– Australian Artist Nomad Project,Gallery Paquette, USA
– Rhizomes, Gallery Paquette, Boonton, NJ, USA
– Rhizo-photography, Compton Gallery, Boonton, NJ, USA
– Rhizomes, Billinudgel NSW 2010
– Lovers: Theory & Practice, Project Contemporary Artspace, Wollongong
– From Coral to Coal: Great Barrier Reef Series, Number 10 Gallery, Jamberoo
– Mt Keira-Time, Number 10 Gallery, Jamberoo
– Chronography: Marking Time, Number 10 Gallery, Jamberoo

2009
– Survey 1999-2009, Wollongong City Gallery
– Conversation Piece, (with Kendal Heyes), Project Contemporary Artspace, Wollongong

2008
– Luscious, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, NJ, USA
– Luscious, Rivergarden Gallery, Denville, NJ, USA
– Erosion of Memory, Art Piece Gallery, Mullumbimby, NSW

2007
– Rise, Hat Hill Gallery, Blackheath, NSW
– Escarpment Series (with Ken Orchard) Flinders University City Gallery, Adelaide
– New Work, De Havilland Gallery, Wollongong

2006
– 5 Films Installation, Ming Chuan University, Taiwan
– Pacific Time, PD Gallery, Gymea, Sydney

2005
– Chronography, Project Contemporary Artspace, Wollongong
– The Opening, Vuspace Gallery, University of Victoria, Melbourne
– Escarpment Series (with Ken Orchard) Hazelhurst Regional art Gallery, Sydney

2004
– Rhizomorphosis, Site 85-Mangroves, Project Contemporary Artspace, Wollongong
– Rhizomorphosis: The Morphology of Mangroves, USC Gallery, Qld
– Vanuatu Series: Arrivals and Departures, Beanstalk Gallery, Thirroul, NSW

2002
– Art Realty, Sir Hermann Black Gallery, Sydney University

2001
– Messiaen at Mt Kiera, The Loft, UTS, Sydney

2000
– Pathetic Manifesto Series, Blu Tac Gallery, University of Wollongong

1983
– Simulacra Diorama, Photographers Above The Rainbow Gallery, Bristol

1982
– Altar/Alter, King St. Gallery, Bristol

Group Shows

2017
- Sea of Waste, Nowra Regional Gallery
- NOW Art Prize, Shoalhaven Regional Art Gallery, Nowra

2016
- Jervis Bay and Basin Arts Inc. Seechange 2016 Art Prize.

2015
- NOW Art Prize, Shoalhaven Regional Art Gallery, Nowra

2013
– Hazelhurst Art Award, Hazelhurst Art Centre, Sydney
– Calleen Art Prize, Cowra Regional Art Gallery 2012
– The White Show, s.h.e. Gallery, Boonton, NJ USA 2011
– Coalcliff Days, Wollongong City Gallery
– Calleen Art Prize, Cowra Regional Art Gallery
– TAFE Staff Show, Wollongong City Gallery 2010
– James Kiwi Watercolour Prize, Wollongong City Gallery, NSW
– ZeitBytes, IDAC (Illawarra Digital Art Collective)

2009
– Sara Roney Gallery, Sydney
– 30th Anniversary Exhibition, Wollongong City Gallery, NSW
– Master Class Tutors Show, Hazelhurst Regional Art Gallery
– Le'Pota Gallery, Shoalhaven 2008
– James Kiwi Watercolour Prize, Wollongong City Gallery
– Port Kembla Art Prize, Art in Port Gallery, Wollongong
– Collectors Show, De Havilland Gallery
– Terra Spiritalis, Murray Bridge Regional Gallery, SA
– Thirroul Art Prize

2007
– Blake Prize, Sydney (finalist) link to web animation
– Land & Sea, De Havilland Gallery, Wollongong
– Nudes, De Havilland Gallery, Wollongong
– Milestones, Long Gallery, University of Wollongong
– Figuratively Speaking, Project Gallery, Wollongong
– Thirroul Art Prize

2006
– Presently Nude, De Havilland Gallery, Wollongong
– Ela-Asia Section, Art Taipei - Taipei, Taiwan
– Commission Show, De Havilland Gallery, Wollongong
– Take It or Leave It, ICAN Show, Project Contemporary Artspace, Wollongong
– Fresh, Project Contemporary Artspace, Wollongong
– On The Shore Art Prize, Thirroul

2005
– Members Show, Project Contemporary Artspace, Wollongong

2004
– Members Show, Project Contemporary Artspace, Wollongong

2003
– Places, Arterial Gallery, Adelaide
– Hazelhurst Art Award, Hazelhurst Art Centre, Sydney

2002
– Coastal Protection Show, Mori Gallery, Sydney

2001
– Members Xmas Exhibition, Gallery 4A, Sydney

2000
– Staff exhibition. FCA Gallery, University of Wollongong

1999
– 70th Anniversary of Fu Jen University
– International Professors Exhibition, Taiwan
– I Can't Believe Its Not Art!, Project Center for Contemporary Art, Wollongong

1998
– Co-Existence, Long Gallery, University of Wollongong
– Signs, Spark Gallery, University of Wollongong
– FCA Staff Show, Spark Gallery, University of Wollongong

1997
– Native Titled Now, S.H.Ervin Gallery, Sydney

1996
– Beyond the Sublime, Part II, Australian Centre for Photography, Sydney

1994
– Artransit: Public Transport Poetry Exhibition, Paddington Town Hall, Sydney.

1990
– UTS Group Show, UTS Gallery, Sydney.

1985
– Close Remarks, Artspace Gallery, Sydney.

1984
– Natural Histories, Experimental Art Foundation, Adelaide.
– Natural Histories, Artspace Gallery, Sydney.
– Twenty Six Characters Exhibition, Adelaide Festival of the Arts, Exhibition, Adelaide.

1983
– Natural Histories, (collaboration with Kit Edwardes), Watershed Gallery, Bristol.

1982
– Artists in Schools, Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol.

1981
– Small Works, Sydney College of the Arts

1980
– Photo/Place/Method, Bondi Pavilion, Sydney.

1979
– Hand Painted Photos, Tin Sheds, Sydney University

1978
– New Works, Ivan Doherty Gallery, Sydney

1976
– Recent Australian Photography, Hogarth Galleries, Sydney.

1975
– Coastal Life - Brunswick Heads Arts Center, New Brighton, NSW


Published Material Books

Brereton. K (2016) Shock of the Ordinary: Photographs 1975 - 2015, JTP
Brereton. K (2015) Test Results, JTP
Brereton. K (2012) The Pathetic Manifesto/Cuteology, JTP
Brereton. K (2012) Rhizomatix, JTP
Brereton. K (2012) Rhizomes, Gallery Paquette, NJ USA
Brereton. K (2012) Rhizo-photography, Comption Gallery, NJ USA
Brereton. K (2011) More Is Plenty, JTP, Bulli, Australia
Brereton. K (2011) We Are A Movie: Collected Artist Books, JTP, Bulli, Australia
Brereton. K (2008) Luscious, Lakeside Arts, Denville, USA
Brereton, K. (2005), Hyper-Taiwan: Art, Design, Culture, Art & Collection, Taipei, Taiwan
Brereton, K. (ed) (1986), Australian Mythological Sites, UTS, Sydney, Third Degree.
Brereton, K. (ed)(1985), Beyond The Naked Eye: Science, Fiction, Technology, UTS, Sydney, Third Degree, No 2.
Brereton, K. (ed) (1984),Vectors Lost in Space, Sydney, Third Degree, No 1.
Brereton, K. & Edwardes, K. (1983), Natural Histories, Bristol, Rollmop/British Arts Council.
Brereton, K. (ed) (1981), Photo-Discourse, Sydney, Sydney College of the Arts.
Brereton, K. (1979), 16 Postcards, Sydney, Rollmop Press.Book Chapters
2003 ‘Visual Intimacy’, catalogue essay for Intimacy art exhibition by Kevin Brereton.
2000 'Photo-Discourse: Critical Theory and Practice in Photography' in What Is This Thing Called Photography, Sydney, Pluto Press
1996 ‘Tourism at Uluru: Changing Images of Ayers Rock,’ in Traditions and Tourism: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Melbourne, University Of Melbourne Press.
1995 ‘The Big Frontyard: Nostalgia and Beach Culture in the 1950s’, in Creating a White Australian Dreamtime: The Cultural Heritage and Politics of the 1950s, Charles Sturt University Press, Albury.
1994 ‘From Ayers Rock to McRock: Advertising Uluru’, in Racism, Representation and Photography, Inner City Education Unit, Sydney,
1993 ‘Prepress Strategies,’ in Computerwise, Heinemann, Shannon and Chatman (eds), Jacaranda Press, Sydney.
1981 ‘Postcards as Intervention' in Photo-Discourse, Brereton, K. (ed), Sydney, Sydney College of the Arts.
1981 'Interview with Christine Goddin (Australian Centre for Photography)' in Photo- Discourse , Brereton, K. (ed), Sydney, Sydney College of the Arts.Fiction/Poetry
2007 We Are A Movie, poetry performance at Lee Marvin Readings, Adelaide
2005 I've Never Been to the Inland Sea, Jellied Tongue Press, Bulli
1997 ‘The Cultural Poetics of Water’ in Heat, No.6, Sydney.
1996 ‘Thai Proverbs for Australian Tourists’, in W/edge No. 2, University of Western Sydney.

Artist Books

1981 Hang-Gliding, Rollmop Press, Sydney
1979 I’ve Never Been to Japan, Rollmop Press, Sydney

Films

2013 Chaosmosis, super 8, col/sound, 5:02secs
1997 Mortal Divide Aside, 8mm, col/silent, 20mins.
1992 The Trouble with Being Born, super 8, 5:05secs
1991 Memories to Live By, 8mm, col/sound, 25mins.
1989 Miza-za Pa, 8mm, col/sound, 10mins.
1987 Running Backwards for Art, City to Surf, 8mm, col/sound, 5mins.
1985 Re-Entries: Men Entering the Water at Bondi, 8mm, col/sound, 12mins.
1984 More is Plenty, 8mm, col/sound, 12mins.
1984 Shock of the Ordinary, 8mm, col/sound, 10mins.
1984 Sleight of Land, 8mm, col/sound, 16mins.
1982 Ideal Homes: Knossos, 8mm, col/sound, 4mins.
- Altar/Alter, 8mm, col/sound, 6mins.
1981 The Coal Cliff, 8mm, col/sound, 12mins.
1981 Party Tricks, 8mm, col/sound, 4mins.
1981 Aus-Land or The Other Country, 8mm, col/sound, 30mins.
1979 Backwards To You, 8mm, col/sound, 20mins.
1978 Greetings From Sydney, 8mm, col/sound, 15mins.
1977 Chuck You Farley-Punks in Sydney 1977, 16mm, col/b&w, 25min.Film Screenings
2006 The Coal Cliff, Chauvel Cinema, Sydney
2006 5 Films - Ming Chuan, Southern Taiwan University, Taiwan
1997 Mortal Divide —George Alexander book launch, Australian Centre for Photography, Sydney.
1996 Beyond the Sublime, Australian Centre for Photography, Sydney.
1989 Perspecta, NSW Art Gallery, Sydney.
1985 N.S.W. Institute of Technology, Sydney.
1985 City Art Institute, Sydney.
1984 City Art Institute, Sydney.
1984 FUTUR*FALL Conference, Jamison St, Sydney.
1982 National Art School, Dublin.
1982 Bristol Art School.
1982 Bristol Super 8 Film Festival, King St. Gallery, Bristol.
1982 London Film Makers Co-op.
1982 I.C.A., London.
1981 2nd Sydney Super 8 Film Festival, Sydney.
1981 Foreign Bodies Semiotics Conference, Sydney University.
1981 Sydney College of the Arts.
1981 Adelaide A.B.C. Film Centre.
1981 Exiles Gallery, Sydney.
1980 1st Sydney Super 8 Film Festival, Sydney.

Video and Animation Works

2012 Halloweenies, Tokyo, Japan, Sensitive Plastic Productions,
2012 The Crisis in Contemporary Art, Athens, Greece 25mins
2009 The Fall, digital video, 2 min:39sec
2008 ZEN-Post Digital Meditation Kit, digital video 4:13sec
2007 The Garden, digital video animation, 2mins 36secs
2006 5 Films, super 8 and digital video animations, DVD, Sensitive Plastic Productions, 20mins
2005 The Opening, Vuspace gallery, 120mins
2004 Orpheus Enters the Mangroves, 10 min super 8 film and digital animation, USC Gallery Qld.
2002 Bushfire Zone, 20min digital video for Art Realty show.
1996 Uluru Dystopia, Beyond the Sublime, 60sec digital video animation.
1994 Multimedia Links: Issues in Education and Advertising, UTS, Sydney, VHS, Col. 30mins
1987 Third Degree Promo, 3/4 " col. 5mins.
1981 Rock Against Racism, (camera) 3/4 " col. 90mins.
1981 Aboriginal Islander Dance Company, 3/4 " col. 60mins
1979 True Luv, 3/4 " col. 60mins.
1978 Damn The Ironing, 3/4 " col. 35mins.
1978 Portrait While You Wait, 3/4 " col. 30mins.New Media and Audio Works
2003 “Lyrebird Mixdown” (3 mins) Ear Clips - CD compilation, Listening Room, Radio National, ABC Music. http://www.abc.net.au/rn/arts/earclips/03.htm
2001 Messiaen at Mt Kiera, Jellied Tongue Press, (accompanying exhibition).
1997 CDRom graphic interface design on From Convict Ship to Dragon Boat: Australia on CD Series, Ripple Media, Adelaide.

Art Performances

2008 We Are Not A Movie, Lee Marvin Readings, Adelaide
1999 Homage to Fluxus Academics – FCA Gallery, University of Wollongong
1989 'Homage to Piotr Olzanski', at Perspecta, Art Gallery of NSW.
1985 ‘Art Has Always Been Didactic’, at Close Remarks Conference, Artspace Gallery, Sydney.
1984 ‘Sleight of Land’, (with George Alexander), FUTUR*FALL Conference, Jamieson St., Sydney.
1983/4 Performances of the 'Natural Histories Events' with Kit Edwardes at the following venues:
Watershed Gallery, Bristol; Experimental Art Foundation, Adelaide; Underdale CAE, Adelaide; Hartley CAE, Adelaide; Flinders University, Adelaide; Norlunga Institute, Adelaide; Newcastle CAE Art School; City Art Institute, Sydney; Seaforth Technical College, Sydney; Artspace Gallery, Sydney; Australian Centre for Photography, Sydney.
1979-80 Pipi Storm Theatre (acting and directing)

Catalogue essays/articles on Kurt Brereton

2009 George Alexander, Kurt Brereton, Survey Show 1999 - 2009, catalogue essay, Wollongong City Gallery
2008 Anne Howell, 'The Rhizomatic Art of Kurt Brereton', in Luscious, Lakeside Arts, Denville, USA
2007 Anne Howell, 'The Rhizomatic Art of Kurt Brereton', in Kunapipi, Vol XXIX No 1 20072006 Tsen Wang, "Rhizomorphism", in Rhizome, UOW Press, Wollongong
2005 Ken Bolton, "Escarpment", catalog essay for Hazelhurst Regional Gallery, Gymea
2003 George Alexander, “Time Out of Mind”, catalog essay for Chronography – a series of performance paintings dealing with mapping time.
2002 George Alexander, “Art Reality For Sale” catalog essay for Art Reality, (exhibition at Sir Herman Black Gallery, Sydney University.)
2001 Associate Professor Stephen Ingham, “Synaesthetics: Olivier Messiaen at Mt Kiera” in Kurt Brereton, The Colour of Time: Messiaen at Mt Kiera, Jellied Tongue Press, exhibition CDRom catalogue, UTS, Sydney

ACADEMIC CURRICULUM VITAE

Past academic positions (1984 - 2011)

– Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
  University of the Sunshine Coast
– Head of Dept. Design & Multimedia, Faculty of Creative Arts, UOW
– Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Media Arts Production, UTS
– Part time art teacher TAFE (Wollongong/St.George/Murwillumbah) and Hazelhurst Regional Art Gallery

Qualifications

PhD (1995) University of Technology, Sydney
Dip Art (1978) Alexander Mackie CAE, Sydney
Cert IV: Learning & Assessment, TAFE
OH&S Certificate, TAFE