EDUCATION & MENTORING
2017 Animal ceramics workshop, West Sussex, UK
2017 Advanced anatomical sculpture workshop, Devon UK
2016 RADA costume design workshop, London UK
2015 Mentoring by student of master sculptor, Marcello Giorgi, Pietrasanta, Lucca
2014 Visual arts support, Clayfield College
2013 NIDA (Costume Design intensive summer school)
2013 Bath (UK) School of Art & Design (one-on-one artist mentoring)
2013 Mentoring session with Phillip Jackson CV (Queen’s sculptor)
2012 Brisbane Institute of Art (Metal Sculpture)
2012 - 2013 Queensland Art Gallery (Volunteer Tour Guide)
2011 Brisbane Institute of Art (Sculpture II)
2009 Central St Martins College, London (Diploma in Art & Design)
2009 West Dean College, UK (Blacksmithing)
2007 – 2009 Kensington & Chelsea College, UK (Sculpture Diploma)
2001 – 2010 University of Queensland (BA in Art History)
GALLERY EXHIBITIONS
2017 ‘Finding wonderment’, pop-up exhibition, Brisbane, Australia
2016 – 2017 Feature artist, Sculpture Park, Surrey UK
2015 ‘Backyard Series’, solo exhibition, Brisbane, Australia
2014 ‘Echoes of Life’, Graydon gallery, Brisbane, Australia
2013 ‘Elements’, Percolator Gallery, Brisbane, Australia
2013 Retrospect Art Gallery, Byron Bay, NSW, Australia
2012 Barebones Art Space, Bangalow, NSW, Australia
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2017 Day to night’ Volvo art, Henley festival, UK
2015 Brisbane Grammar School, 45th Annual Art Show – “Discover” (invitation only)
2014 Brisbane Grammar School, 44th Annual Art Show – “Sapphire” (invitation only)
2014 Mayo Festival, St Margaret’s, Ascot, Brisbane
2014 Brisbane Rotary Art Spectacular. Australia
2013 Brisbane Grammar School, 44th Annual Art Show – “Illuminate” (invitation only)
2013 Nudgee College Art Festival, “Dimensions NC”
2013 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Toowoomba
2013 Qld Sculptor Society, “Sculpture for the Senses”, Brisbane
2013 Brisbane Art Spectacular, Australia
2012 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Toowoomba
2012 Christmas show, Brisbane Institute of Art, Brisbane
2012 Qld Sculptor Society Mt Coot-tha Exhibition, Brisbane
2012 Mayo Festival, St Margaret’s, Ascot, Brisbane
2011 Christmas show, Brisbane Institute of Art, Brisbane
2009 Spaces and Objects, St Martins College of Art & Design, London
2009 Summer School Show, West Dean, UK
2008 Surrey Sculpture Society Spring Show, UK
AWARDS
2015 Brisbane City Council, Australia: Shorncliffe Pier Renewal Project
2014 Toowoomba Regional Council, Australia: ‘Best in Show’ Art in garden
2013 Nudgee Art Festival, Australia: ‘Highly commended in open 3D category
2012 Brisbane Botanical Gardens: ‘People’s favourite’ Sculpture for the Senses
International sculptor, Dawn
Conn merges curiosity, wonder and memory to create whimsical, figurative sculptures. Each have
their own narrative and emotional connection. Drawing on the simplicity and
stories of childhood, Dawn
draws on her own memories from her childhood in New Zealand and encourages the
viewer to recall memories from their own.
Dawn’s sculptures are enduringly adorned and outfitted, daringly coloured and executed with the intention that is striking and memorable, capturing a moment in a way that is both enchanting and irresistibly infectious. Her figures develop into tactile memories, that celebrate the beauty of life - and our place within it.
This nostalgia is a primary source of inspiration and Dawn will often combine found or forgotten antique treasures into each creation. She has always been curious about history, the quirky and those little fragments of memory from the small moments of life growing up. Her figurative sculptures are looking at the world through the eyes of a child, ‘my figures have developed into tactile memories with distinct themes and unique styles of sculpture; that portray a certain whimsy and unspoken curiosity.’
Dawn’s personal passion is in evidence in her work which is underpinned by a gentle sense of humour and a slightly whimsical take on life which mirrors her own; brimming with adventure, travel, people and places.
Dawn established her sculpture business in Australia in 2011 and relocated back to Europe in early 2016, where she is currently based in Dublin.
