An Artist To Watch

Talented young artist Meaghan Coles is relishing her artistic experiences, from formal education to immersing herself in a variety of cultures of artist residencies around the globe.

- Meaghan Coles

I completed my Bachelor of Visual Arts in 2009, specializing in painting with a minor in photography. Being in an educational environment was the best experience for a training artist. The opportunity to surround myself with practicing teachers and share a studio with groups of artists was a buzzing experience. The three years were very experimental, focussing on exercises, techniques, and different mediums.

My highlight and most influential experience during this time was my six-month exchange in 2008. I was awarded a travel grant which allowed me to study in upstate New York in Buffalo. Their teaching techniques and focus on the history of American art has been a huge influence on my work.

I chose to complete my Honours degree as I felt I was not ready to leave University. This was the hardest year to complete, trying to knuckle out ideas, write an exegesis and complete a body of work. Completing the year was most rewarding and satisfying, researching how my artwork sits within the contemporary art scene.

By this stage, I was starting to have my work recognized. I was becoming involved in group exhibitions, and planning my own solo exhibitions within Adelaide’s SALA Festival and the Adelaide Fringe in local pubs, restaurants, and cafes.

I soon learned being an artist is a full-time job! I was designing business cards, creating a website, planning exhibitions, creating a guest list, requesting sponsorship for exhibition openings as well as producing artwork to exhibit.