Dr Zoe Veness
Lecturer

Dr Zoe Veness

Arts,Design & Architecture
School of Art & Design

Zoe Veness is a designer/maker and practice-based researcher working at the intersection of art and design specialising in contemporary jewellery and objects. Her research draws from interrelated theories including psychoanalysis to explore relationships between objects and the body; anthropology to examine material-making, craft practice and place-based making methods; and contemporary jewellery to investigate notions of adornment, commemoration and material value.

Her work contributes to the contemporary jewellery field through an expanded approach to jewellery practice that is multidisciplinary, incorporating sensibilities and processes from textiles, sculpture, architecture, photography and graphic design. Evolving over 15 years of research and experimentation, Veness’ self-devised and idiosyncratic making methodologies valorise craft skill while questioning traditional readings of jewellery as valuable and ‘precious’ commodities due to material rarity and monetary expense. Her work is recognised for illuminating beauty through everyday, ‘non-precious’ materials.

Veness has produced 10 solo exhibitions, co-curated 5 exhibition projects and participated in 72 national and international group exhibitions. Her work has been selected for prestigious international award exhibitions including Talente in Germany and Itami International Craft Exhibition in Japan, and acquired by the Art Gallery of South Australia, Griffith Regional Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Australia. She has been an artist-in-residence at Arthur Boyd's Bundanon in NSW, Australia (2010) and the Edinburgh College of Art in Scotland (2006). 

Veness is currently Director of Education at the School of Art & Design and convenor of Object Design courses. Previous to Art & Design, Veness was Head of Object Design at the University of Tasmania, School of Creative Arts and Media, and the Design Lead for the new Bachelor of Design at UTAS. 

 
E-mail
z.veness@unsw.edu.au

Publications

  • Journal articles | 2021
    Veness Z, 2021, 'Post-COVID reflections on material-making for design students at Art & Design, University of New South Wales', NiTRO, https://ddcanitro.squarespace.com/articles?author=60ffe900c5b2604291a006d4#show-archive
    Journal articles | 2021
    Veness Z, 2021, 'Post-Covid reflections on material-making for design students at Art & Design, University of New South Wales', NiTRO, vol. edition 36, https://ddcanitro.squarespace.com/articles/2021/7/30/post-covid-reflections-on-material-making-for-design-students-at-art-amp-design-university-of-new-south-wales
  • Creative Works (non-textual) | 2020
    Veness Z, 2020, Waiting, Design Isolate, Design | Isolate Exhibition, Australian Design Centre, 26 November 2020 - 27 January 2021, medium: journal and contemporary jewellery, at: https://australiandesigncentre.com/object-digital/design-isolate/zoe-veness/
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2020
    Veness Z, 2020, The Return Loop, Made/Worn: Australian Contemporary Jewellery, Australian Design Centre and national tour, 30 June 2020 - 03 July 2022, medium: Contemporary Jewellery, at: https://australiandesigncentre.com/madeworncontemporaryjewellery/
    Creative Written Works | 2020
    Veness Z, 2020, New Terrain in an Old World, Frangipani: Garland Compendium Three, Murray K, (ed.), Blurb Incorporated
    Curatorial Outputs | 2020
    Veness Z; Stubbs S; Dower B; Lindsay S, 2020, Wayfaring 2020, exhibited at: Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre, Canberra, 26 March 2020 - 09 May 2020, https://craftact.org.au/collections/wayfaring
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2019
    Veness Z, 2019, A Landscape of Our Making: Rose Petal Pins, Picturesque, JamFactory at Seppeltsfield, South Australia, 29 November 2019 - 09 February 2020, medium: contemporary jewellery and objects, at: https://www.jamfactory.com.au/marmalade/2019/8/8/exhibition-insight-picturesque
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2019
    Veness Z, 2019, Wayfaring 2019, Wayfaring 2019, studio xl_xs, Melbourne, 13 September 2019 - 15 September 2019, medium: A series of nine hand-fabricated containers in copper, brass and sterling silver, at: https://gramhir.com/media/2133467083214824370
    Creative Written Works | 2019
    Veness Z, 2019, Wayfaring, Murray K, (ed.), Garland Magazine, World Crafts Council - Australia, World Crafts Council, https://garlandmag.com/loop/zoe-veness/
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2019
    Veness Z; Veness S, 2019, Affinity, Affinity, Stacks Projects, Sydney, 25 July 2019 - 11 August 2019, medium: Affinity exhibition (joint) including collaborative series of contemporary jewellery designs, at: http://www.stacksprojects.com/affinity.html
    Curatorial Outputs | 2018
    Veness Z; Young M, 2018, Thinking through making: new strategies in design education and research, exhibited at: UNSW AD Space, Sydney, 09 October 2018 - 13 October 2018, https://www.sydneycraftweek.com/events/thinking-through-making-new-strategies-design-education-and-research/
    Conference Presentations | 2018
    Hogan J; Veness ZJ; Jones S; Hughes P, 2018, 'Reparation: Three points of contact', presented at Australian Consortium of Humanities Research Centres: Humanities in the Regions 2018, Launceston Tasmania, 10 May 2018 - 11 May 2018, http://www.utas.edu.au/humanities/events/event/2018/may/humanities-in-the-regions-collaborating-with-collecting-and-cultural-institutions
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2017
    Veness ZJ, 2017, New Terrain in an Old World, New Terrain in an Old World, Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, Canberra, 16 November 2017 - 16 December 2017, at: https://craftact.org.au/blogs/past-exhibitions/folding-space-holding-time
    Conference Papers | 2017
    Juliff T; Keating MJ; Norrie H; Veness ZJ; Kratz SJ, 2017, 'Praxis Now: Frayling's 'Research in Art and Design' 24 years on', in ACUADS Conference 2017, Australian Council of University Art & Design Schools, Australian National University School of Art & Design Canberra, presented at Australian Council of University Art & Design Schools, Australian National University School of Art & Design Canberra, 28 September 2017 - 29 September 2017, http://acuads.com.au/conference/article/praxis-now-fraylings-research-in-art-and-design-24-years-on/
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2017
    Veness ZJ, 2017, A Grand Collar, Urban-A-Wear-Ness, RMIT University, Bowen Lane, Melbourne, 02 September 2017 - 02 September 2017, at: http://www.radiantpavilion.com.au/urban-andashwearndashness.html
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2017
    Veness ZJ; Jones SL, 2017, Posterzine Project, Posterzine Project, Studio Ingot Melbourne, 26 August 2017 - 02 September 2017, medium: Poster and Catalogue (Print), at: http://www.radiantpavilion.com.au/the-posterzine-project.html
    Conference Presentations | 2017
    Fountain WG; Veness ZJ; Kratz SJ; Wise CJE; Jones SL, 2017, 'Preparing to co-design new design education for Tasmania, 'design island'', presented at Cumulus Redo, Kolding Design School Denmark, 30 May 2017 - 02 June 2017, https://issuu.com/designskolen_kolding/docs/a4_redo_samlet
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2017
    Veness ZJ, 2017, Remanence, Remanence for Ten Days on the Island, Tasmania, Domain House, Hobart, Tasmania, 17 March 2017 - 26 March 2017, at: https://www.tendays.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/brochure_2017-1.pdf
    Conference Papers | 2016
    Veness ZJ; Tieu B, 2016, 'Poetic Dimensions: Jewellery Conversations about Design Process', in Poetic Dimensions: Jewellery Conversations about Design Process, ICDHS The International Conference on Design History and Design Studies: Making Trans/national Contemporary Design History, Taipei, presented at ICDHS The International Conference on Design History and Design Studies: Making Trans/national Contemporary Design History, Taipei, 26 October 2016 - 28 October 2016, https://www.facebook.com/ICDHS2016Taipei/
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2016
    Veness ZJ, 2016, Double Loop: Grey - Exhibition Finalist National Contemporary Jewellery Award, National Contemporary Jewellery Award 2016, Griffith Regional Art Gallery, 13 August 2016 - 27 August 2016, at: https://www.facebook.com/events/166207797136507/
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2015
    Veness ZJ, 2015, Autonomous Jewellery, Autonomous Jewellery, Studio 20/17 Contemporary Jewellery Sydney, 20 October 2015 - 07 November 2015, at: https://www.facebook.com/events/955174571220172/
    Conference Papers | 2015
    Veness ZJ, 2015, 'To make an end is to make a beginning', in To make an end is to make a beginning, edgesbordersgaps: 16th Jewellery and Metalsmiths Group of Australia conference, Sydney College of the Arts, Sydney, presented at edgesbordersgaps: 16th Jewellery and Metalsmiths Group of Australia conference, Sydney College of the Arts, Sydney, 11 July 2015 - 12 July 2015, http://www.edgesbordersgaps.com.au/%20%20http://www.edgesbordersgaps.com.au/abstracts1.html
    Theses / Dissertations | 2015
    Veness ZJ, 2015, Towards Autonomous Jewellery: Examining the loop between jewellery and the body through a sculptural dimension
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2014
    Veness ZJ, 2014, To make an end is to make a beginning, To make an end is to make a beginning, ADSpace UNSW Art & Design, 03 November 2014 - 07 November 2014
    Conference Papers | 2012
    Veness ZJ, 2012, 'Holding Time: An Analysis of Jewellery Making', in Holding time: An analysis of jewellery making, Making: An International Conference on Materiality and Knowledge, Notodden, Norway, presented at Making: An International Conference on Materiality and Knowledge, Notodden, Norway, 24 September 2012 - 27 September 2012, http://making.nordfo.org/
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2006
    Veness ZJ, 2006, Mathematical Beauty, Mathematical Beauty, Australian Design Centre (formerly Object: Australian Centre for Craft and Design), 11 November 2006 - 07 January 2007, at: http://www.liveguide.com.au/Events/451457/Zo_Jay_Veness_Mathematical_Beauty/Zo_Jay_Veness_Mathematical_Beauty
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2005
    Veness ZJ, 2005, The Infinite Fold, The Infinite Fold, JamFactory Contemporary Craft and Design, 13 August 2005 - 31 August 2005
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2005
    Veness ZJ, 2005, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8..., 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8..., Two Cubed, Sherman Galleries, 13 August 2005 - 31 August 2005, at: http://shermangalleries.sherman-scaf.org.au/exhibitions/twocubes.asp.html
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2004
    Veness ZJ, 2004, Alchemical Analogies, Alchemical Analogies, Ivan Dougherty Gallery UNSW, 10 February 2004 - 14 February 2004
    Conference Presentations | 2021
    Veness Z, 2021, 'Resilience Narratives: Shifting Imperatives of Material-Making during Times of Crisis', presented at 2021 Australian Council of University Art & Design Schools Conference, online, 28 October 2021 - 29 October 2021, https://acuads2021.com.au/resilience-narratives-shifting-imperatives-of-material-making-during-times-of-crisis/
    Conference Presentations | 2021
    Veness Z, 2021, 'Folding Space-Time: Wayfaring through Object Making', presented at Value Chains Reset: The JMGA conference redistributed - Jewellery Values - Materiality, Making & Movement, 09 October 2021, https://sydneycraftweek.com/events/jewellery-values-materiality-making-movement/
    Curatorial Outputs | 2019
    Veness Z; Stubbs S; Dower B; Lindsay S, 2019, Wayfaring 2019, exhibited at: studio xl_xs, Melbourne, 13 September 2019 - 15 September 2019, http://www.radiantpavilion.com.au/wayfaring.html
    Creative Written Works | 2018
    Veness Z, 2018, New Terrain in an Old World, Murray K, (ed.), Garland Magazine, https://garlandmag.com/article/new-terrain-in-an-old-world/
    Journal articles | 2021
    Veness Z, 2021, 'Post-COVID reflections on material-making for design students at Art & Design, University of New South Wales', NiTRO, https://ddcanitro.squarespace.com/articles?author=60ffe900c5b2604291a006d4#show-archive

Awards

Grants

Media

My practice has been reviewed by writers from the fields of craft, art and design at local and national levels. I have been invited to discuss my practice on radio including ABC Radio networks in NSW and Tasmania. I have also been invited as a professional designer/maker to judge national and local design awards. 

Radio Interviews

Kia Handley ‘Made/Worn at Maitland Regional Art Gallery’, Newcastle mornings program, ABC Radio National, 11 February 2021

Dr Vincent O’Donnell, Arts Alive, Community Radio Network, 24 October 2020

Neil Doody ‘Wayfaring at Craft ACT’ Monday Arts Café, Art Sound FM, 30 March 2020

Chris Wisbey, ABC Radio Hobart, 28 July 2016

Media Citations

Tracey Clement 'Artists use the language of jewellery to explore ideas' Art Guide, https://artguide.com.au/artists-use-the-language-of-jewellery-to-explore-ideas/ 15 July 2021

Chloé Wolifson 'The Language of Jewellery'  Design Anthology Magazine - Australia, pp.71-74, 31 May 2021

Kay Harrison ‘Scribbly gums and sublime peaks: jewellery that speaks to place and finding your own path’ UNSW Newsroom, 1 October 2020

Tracey Clement ‘More than metal & gems’ Driven Magazine no. 3, pp.18-23, 2009

Margaret Farmer ‘The Beautiful Alchemist’ COFA Magazine no.19, p.38, 2007

Margot Osborne ‘Zoe Veness: Beauty and Alchemy’ COFA Magazine no. 10, p.12, 2004

Jack Cunningham ‘Metamorphosis – Emerging Sydney’ by Jack Cunningham, Crafts Arts International no. 59, p.107, 2003

Jo Litson ‘Craft Masters in demand for Munich’ The Australian, 15 March, p.19, 2002

Judging of Contemporary Jewellery and Design awards

National Contemporary Jewellery Award, Griffith Regional Art Gallery, NSW, 27 November 2020

10th Design Tasmania Award, Hobart, Tasmania, 9 November 2017

Hobart Town Hall 150 Design Award, Hobart, Tasmania, 8 December 2016

I am currently Director of Education at the School of Art & Design. I currently convene and lecture in Object and Jewellery Design and previously in the Design Honours program. From 2018-2020 I developed new curriculum for the Object Design disciplinary specialisation in the Bachelor of Design.