About
Joel Tonks is an Australian visual artist currently based in Orange NSW. Graduating from the University of Wollongong in 2014 with a Bachelor of Creative Arts Honours, his multifaceted practice explores the intersections between science, art, and everyday life.
Discovery and empiricism are recurring threads in Tonks' artworks, whether it be the classification and taxonomy of the natural world, or interaction of virtual and physical worlds.
Info
Art Education
2014
Bachelor of Creative Arts Honours (Visual Arts, Class 1 Honours)
University of Wollongong NSW
Solo Exhibitions
2020
Forged by fire, shaped by time
Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, Bathurst NSW
[ceramics]
2016
When You Weren't Watching
Delmar Gallery, Ashfield NSW
[painting]
2014
Transcendence
DMC Gallery, Innovation Campus, Fairy Meadow NSW
[interactive installation]
2013
Australian Daydream
Parkview, Orange NSW
[painting]
2012
Light, Life & Perspective
Jayes Gallery, Molong NSW
[painting]
Awards & Residencies
2021
People's Choice Award, Lachlan Valley Biennial Art Awards
Cowra Regional Art Gallery, Cowra NSW
Artist in Residence, Cementa 21
Cementa, Kandos NSW
2020
Finalist, Heysen Prize for Landscape
Hahndorf Academy, Hahndorf SA
2018
Finalist, Fifty Squared Art Prize
Brunswick Street Gallery, Fitzroy VIC
Finalist, Heysen Prize for Landscape
Hahndorf Academy, Hahndorf SA
2017
Finalist, Agendo Art Award for Young Emerging Artists
The David Williams Gallery, Canterbury VIC
2015
Finalist, Lloyd Rees Memorial Youth Art Prize
Gallery Lane Cove, Sydney NSW
2013
Grant Recipient, William Fletcher Foundation
Finalist, Lloyd Rees Memorial Youth Art Prize
Gallery Lane Cove, Sydney NSW
Finalist, Calleen Art Award
Cowra Regional Gallery, Cowra NSW
2012
Winner, Slow Summer Art Prize
Orange Botanical Gardens, Orange NSW
2011
Youth Encouragement Award, Countryscapes
Bathurst Regional Gallery, Bathurst NSW
Highly Commended, Young Australian Artist of the Year
Australian Artist Magazine
Selected Group Shows
2018
Fifty Squared Exhibition
Brunswick Street Gallery, Fitzroy VIC
2017
9x5 impressionist landscape
Waverly Woollahra Art School, Bondi NSW
2013
Look Sharp - 2013 Graduate exhibition
Creative Arts Building, University of Wollongong NSW
Vibration - Nothing to See Here
Creative Arts Building, University of Wollongong NSW
Electric Lines
DMC Gallery, Innovation Campus, Fairy Meadow NSW
2012
Countryscapes
Bathurst Regional Gallery, Bathurst NSW