Curriculum Vitae   

Miriam Atkinson

Referrals and contact details on request

 

LICENCES: C-class, own reliable vehicle

Holds current Police Clearance, Working with Children Card and Public Liability Insured.

Community and Aged Care Standard compliant and fully vaccinated for influenza and COVID.

Holds Current First Aid Certificate with CPR

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:

  • (2011) B.A. of Contemporary Arts (Visual Arts Major) Edith Cowan University, Western Australia

  • (2002) Certificate lll in Children's Services, Education Assistant, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia

  • (2002) Edith Cowan University Professional Development;

    • Working with the Aboriginal Child

    • Working with the High Ability Student in a Regular Classroom

    • Understanding, Supporting Students with Learning Difficulties

  • (1994) Certificate III of Art & Design, Midland Polytechnic, Western Australia

EMPLOYMENT:

Art Educator – 2011 to Current

  • Implementing and Teaching Multi-disciplinary Workshops for numerous Local Councils, Shires and Community Libraries from Rockingham to Clarkson and Perth Metropolitan area to Eastern Hills, Mental Health Fellowship Association and Community and Day/Child Care Centres.

  • Jackson’s Art Supply Stores providing workshops in various art media (2015-2018)

  • Mobile Art Therapy and Tuition for dementia/Alzheimer clientele (2013-current)

  • Regis Aged Care Facilities; Regis Group Art Groups and Workshops (2013-current) plus various other aged care facilities implementing art as therapy groups or ongoing regular classes.

  • Art Programming and Implementation for 5yrs to adult; studio and non-studio-based term classes, private and mobile tuition and commissioned works (2015-current)

  • Studio based Art Programming, Planning and Implementation of weekly, drawing, painting or multi-disciplinary art classes, mobile tuition and workshops for seniors, adults and children.

  • Mentor/Educator in Visual Arts for Duke of Edinburgh Award High School Students, Portfolio and program entrance preparation.

  • Jackson’s Art Supplies (2015-16) Store Sales Associate, Cannington & Midland stores.

  • Wanneroo Library and Cultural Centre (2014) Workshop Artist in Residence – fibre textile workshops for children.

  • Edith Cowan University (2013) Examination Invigilator.

  • Central Institute of Technology, Western Australia (2013) Teacher for Saturday Art Program - ages 7- 15 yrs.

  • Centrelink (2012) City Farm Holiday Program – Art Workshop ages 7-14

  • Textiles 'Incursion' Workshops Yr. 4-7 (2012) Westminster Primary School.

  • Volunteer Gallery Coordinator (2011) Edith Cowan University ‘Definitely Not A4’Exhibition fundraiser.

  • Mundaring Shire Council (2011) ‘Pom Bomb the Park’ Community Arts Project.

  • Education Dept. of W.A. (2000-2009) Education Assistant Special Needs students, Kindergarten to Year 7.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Art Teacher/Lecturer/Workshop Facilitator – planning and implementing lessons in all visual arts areas catering for introductory to advanced levels, for all ages and abilities.

  • Working with the Aged, Dementia and Alzheimer participants within various aged care facilities (2013-current).

  • Fusion Art Project Disability Workshop, Shire of Mundaring, Mundaring Arts Centre (2013)

 

PRESS

  • (2013) July 12th Fremantle Courier, ‘A Harrowing Brew’ by Brendan Foster http://heraldonlinejournal.com/2013/07/12/a-harrowing-brew/

Gallery - Retail

  • Heathcote Gallery Door, Basketry and fibre textiles sculptures (2014-current)

Group Exhibitions

  • 2023 ‘Embodiment’, 2023 Group Exhibition, Bellevue Artspace

  • 2011 ‘Happenstance’, 2011 Visual Arts Graduate Exhibition, Edith Cowan University, Mt Lawley, Western Australia

  • 2013 ‘Fingers and Petals’ Exhibition, Freight Gallery, Fremantle and The Gallery, Ellenbrook.

  • ‘Alitura’ Exhibition, Heathcote Gallery and Museum, Applecross, Western Australia

  • Artist in Residence, Heathcote Gallery and Museum.

Artist Biography    Miriam Atkinson

I am a local WA multidisciplinary artist, conveying complex ideas about culture, memory, family and social history and their links to contemporary issues.

Completing a Bachelor of Contemporary Art (2011) at Edith Cowan University, Western Australia, my practice involves working and teaching within a diverse range of ages and abilities.

Portraiture and painting play vital roles within my practice to create a visual record of subjects and their stories.

Natural dyes, indigenous and introduced flora, found and repurposed objects create hand stitched, coiled baskets and sculptures with techniques taught to me by West Australian artist, Nalda Searles.

A Semi-Finalist in the Doug Moran National Portraiture Competition (2013) recent exhibitions are ‘Embodiment’ (2023) ‘Under The Rug’ (2014) ‘Alitura’ (2013) ‘Leave them in the Ground’ fossil fuels exhibition (2013) ‘The Fingers and Petals Hand Made Flower Exhibition (2012) ‘Minnawarra Art Awards (2016) to name a few.

I currently reside in Perth, Western Australia where I provide mobile and private tuition, and plan and implement workshops and classes for a vast range of individuals, groups, community centres, libraries, within mental health and aged care facilities.

Artists Statement    Miriam Atkinson

 My aim to preserve memory and recall the everyday and forgotten means an exploration in diverse materials, skills and study of human stories. 

Having a particular interest in the cyclic, concept of time, linking past with present, human connectedness and symbolic patterns - despite cultural diversity - are a few ideas often seen within my work and will often mean re-using materials with personal and cultural histories.

Painting and portraiture utilise traditional methods and cover all mediums.

Sculpture combines coiling and weaving native and introduced flora, clay, found and natural objects.