Vivian Qiu in Gold and Silversmithing studio in RMIT university. Photo by Damian Sullivan
Email
vivianqiustudio@gmail.com
Phone
(+61) 434 269 177
Vivian Qiu is an emerging artist whose background in jewellery and fashion informs her innovative approach to wearable art and sculpture. Her practice explores cultural identity, healing and oracle bone script - the most ancient Chinese language used for future prediction. Drawing on her diverse living experiences across different countries, she delves into her roots and personal identity through unique material research, creating culturally significant pieces from rice, grass, and soil.
Vivian is particularly intrigued by the intersection of art, psychology, and personal transformation. She uses her creative process to embrace life's challenges and navigate complex emotions, inviting audiences to engage in introspection and potentially reframe their narratives.
Her work has gained international recognition, with exhibitions in Australia, Sweden, and the Netherlands. She has exhibited in distinguished galleries, including Galerie Marzee in the Netherlands and RMIT Design Hub Gallery in Melbourne. She was a finalist in the Emerging Artist Awards at FortyFiveDownstairs Gallery in 2023. Vivian has also contributed her talents as an artist-in-residence at various high schools, supported by Regional Arts Victoria and Creative Victoria.
Additionally, she has also collaborated with galleries, museums and organisations to deliver interactive workshops, such as the National Gallery of Victoria, Signal, City of Melbourne, Immigration Museum, RMIT First Site Gallery and Geelong Wool Museum. Vivian’s projects have also been presented as part of the Melbourne Fashion Festival and Melbourne Design Week in both 2021 and 2023.
Curriculum Vitae
Education:
2021 — 2023 Bachelor of Fine Arts (Gold and Silversmithing), RMIT University, Australia
2023 — Jewellery Exchange study, Konstfack - University of Arts, Crafts and Design, Stockholm, Sweden
2016 — 2020 Bachelor of Fashion (Design) (Honours), RMIT University, Australia
2019 — Short courses, RMIT University, Australia
— 3D Modelling & Printing for Jewellers
— Social Media and Digital Marketing in fashion
— Visual Merchandising in Retail and Display
— Fashion Styling
Curation:
2023 — The Connect project, The Big Shift - Ethical Enterprise Conference, Moral Fairground, Australia
— Bodyguard jewellery exhibition, Gallerie Gemla, Stockholm, Sweden
2016 — 2017 Ethical Fashion Show, Moral Fairground, Melbourne
2016 — Ethical Showcase, in collaboration with Dockland library, Moral Fairground, Melbourne
Solo Exhibitions:
2024 — Material Tells Stories, Fitzroy Library, Australia
— (upcoming) Life Line, Red Gallery, Australia
2023 — What is your root?, Incinerator Gallery (Offsite gallery space: Avondale Heights Library and Learning Centre)
— Soil Clay, presented by Manningham Council, as part of Craft Contemporary 2023, an annual festival delivered by Craft Victoria.
— Slow Making, RMIT First Site Gallery
Group Exhibitions:
2024 — The Marzee International Graduate Show 2024, Galerie Marzee, The Netherlands
— The Children’s Sensorium, curated by Grace McQuilten, Castlemaine Art Museum, Castlemaine, Australia
— 'Here's Something I've Been Wanting To Show You', RMIT Design Hub Gallery, Melbourne, Australia
— TAKING UP SPACE, Studio XL-XS, Docklands, Australia
— RE-PLAY, Mycelium Studios, Melbourne, Australia
2023 — Bodyguard exhibition, Gallerie Gemla, Stockholm, Sweden
— A4 Art Show, Site 8 Gallery, Melbourne, Australia
— Emerging Artist Award 2023, fortyfivedownstairs, Melbourne, Australia
— Gold & Silversmithing Graduation Show, Site 8 Gallery, Melbourne, Australia
2022 — Nurses and midwives’ art exchange, as part of Archives of Feeling exhibition, The Big Anxiety Festival x RMIT Design Hub Gallery
— Children’s Sensorium, being part of installation process of Hiromi Tango’s community artwork, The Big Anxiety Festival x RMIT Design Hub Gallery
2021 — Rendering: jewellery and objects, Radiant Pavilion
Awards:
2023 — Emerging Artist Award, Finalist, Fortyfivedownstairs gallery, Melbourne
Artist-in-Residence / Grant:
2024 — Creative Learning Partnership, Creative Victoria X Doncaster Secondary College
2022 — Making Space Residency Program, Moreland City Council
2021 — Creative Workers in Schools, Stream 2, Regional Arts Victoria X McKinnon Secondary College
Interview:
2024 — Stories Worn Close - Identity and healing through art, article interview, RMIT University
— Art Smitten x Vivian Qiu - Artist Interview, listen on Spotify or Apple Podcast, Art Smitten, SYN Radio 90.7 FM
2023 — First Site Gallery — Interview with Vivian Qiu, interview video, RMIT Culture & RMIT Galleries
2022 — Making Space Residency, interview video, Moreland City Council
2022 — Re-Generation Youth Festival Radio Interview (live), award-winning Switch On Radio
2021 — Creative Workers in Schools, interview video, Regional Arts Victoria X Singing Bowls
(Selected) Workshop Facilitator:
2024 — Rice Painting, RMIT Creative
— Life Line — Japanese Kumihimo braiding, (Year 11 students), Sunbury Downs College
2023 — Life Line - Japanese Kumihimo braiding, RMIT First Site Gallery
— Sentimental Material Workshop, RMIT First Site Gallery
— Soil Clay, Collingwood Library
— Sensory Textile Jewellery, Collingwood Library
2022 — Sentimental Rice Jewellery, National Gallery of Victoria X Bendigo Art Gallery (Postponed)
— Electrical Wire Jewellery, Your NGV Arts Access Program, National Gallery of Victoria X Narre Warren South P-12
— Deconstruct Fashion, Re-Generation Youth Festival, Moral Fairground, Melbourne
— Online workshop series, Australian Multicultural Community Services (AMCS)
— Sentimental Rice Jewellery, Deaf community engagement, John Pierce Centre
— Electrical Wire Jewellery, community engagement — disadvantage female migrants and refugees, Wingate Avenue Community Centre
— Gratitude Gifting, Creative Connection program: Wellbeing for social enterprise practitioners, Moral Fairground, Melbourne
— Sentimental Rice Jewellery drop-in workshop, Night MODE program, Bunjil Place, City of Casey
— Design with Recycled Plastic, City of Greater Dandenong, Digital tutorial
2021 — Wellbeing-Focused Creative Program, McKinnon Secondary College, McKinnon
— Rice Clay Sculpture, Laneway Learning, Melbourne
— Sentimental Rice Jewellery, RMIT First Site Gallery, Melbourne
— Arm-knitting Scarf, City of Greater Dandenong, Online
2020 — Sentimental Rice Jewellery, Melbourne Design Week
— Sentimental Rice Jewellery, Melbourne Fashion Festival X Signal Arts
— Electrical Wire Jewellery Online Course, Geelong Wool Museum, Geelong
Artist Talk / Public Speaking:
2024 — Rice Journey and Life Line Braid, Mesopotamia Art Space
— Being an Artist, Year 9 Career Expo Day, Doncaster Secondary College
2023 — What is your root?, Incinerator Gallery (Offsite gallery space: Avondale Heights Library and Learning Centre)
— How to flourish as an artist, Art Agitator program, Casey Arts, Bunjil Place
— Is Art Career for You?, Senior Years Career Expo Day, Doncaster Secondary College
2022 — Guest Speaker at ‘MUSE’ Art Show opening night, Sunbury Downs College
Auction:
2021 — RMIT Gold & Silversmithing BA, Online
Fashion Shows / Events:
2020 — Future Female Filmmaking, Signal Arts, City of Melbourne
2018 — Urban Flâneur: Fashion and City, fashion show, Docklands
2015 — Ethical Fashion Show, Moral Fairground, Melbourne
Internship:
2023 — Gallery assistant, Blindside Gallery, Melbourne
Mentorship:
2017 — Junior Leader, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), Myrniong
Training / Certificate:
2021 — Cultural Awareness Training, Koorie Heritage Trust
— Equity and Access, Arts Access Victoria
— Trauma-Informed Practice, Collective Being
2021 — 2025 Working with Children Check