RONDA SHARPE | Artist bio
Ronda Sharpe is a Wiradjuri artist who intertwines a visual narrative of First Nations continuum to languages, culture, and traditional artefact forms with her environmental arts practice of combining the use of repurposed mediums including data and electrical cables and natural fibres including Wiradjuri grasses. The fusion of contemporary and historical Wiradjuri weaving customs with reclaimed post-industrial materials creates a visual story that comments on present day environmental issues and transforms the objects into contemporary sculptural forms.
Sharpe has completed Master of Visual Arts, Contemporary Australia Indigenous Art (CAIA), (QCA), 2020, Bachelor of Fine Arts (QCA), 2018, associated Diploma of Creative Industries, (JCU) 2016.
Sharpe relocated back to her hometown of Parkes (Wiradjuri country) 2020 and currently showcased her work in a solo exhibition, ‘Interwoven connections 2023’ Home Program (WPCC) saying: ‘Being on Wiradjuri country allows me to connect to my Ancestors and Mother Earth, stand proud on country and continue making contemporary fibre artworks that represent cultural artefacts, and ‘Yindayamarra’ (respect) for Mother Earth.’
Sharpe was selected for Arts Out West, 50th Anniversary Plinth Show 2024,, Wiradjuri Ngurambang Permanent Exhibition 2022, Wiradjuri curatorial member (PSLCC) showcasing Wiradjuri artefacts, language, artwork. South Stradbroke Island Indigenous Artist Camp, 2019, and exhibition (HOTA), mentors Gordon Hookey, Rick Roser, Bianca Beetson, Laurie Nilson. Intertwine Fashion Parade, Grace Lillian Lee, Gold Coast Festive 2018 and Churchie National Emerging art prize, 2018.
Sharpe facilitates weaving, and recycled art workshops including: Wiyi Yani U Thangani National Summit. We are the change 2023, Canberra. Home Program, (AGNSW), (BRAG), 2021,22 & 23, schools, libraries and community venues.
RONDA SHARPE | Artist Curriculum Vitae
Education
2019-2020 Master of Fine Arts studying Contemporary Australia Indigenous Art (CAIA), The Queensland College of Arts (QCA), Griffith University, Brisbane.
2017-2018 Bachelor of Fine Arts: The Queensland College of Arts (QCA), Griffith University, Brisbane
2014-2016 Associate Diploma of Creative Industries- James Cook University, Cairns -
2004-2007 Diploma Children’s Services: TAFE NSW Accredited - distinction level
Solo exhibitions
2024 Arts Out West, Plinth Show, celebrating 50 years service, Forbes NSW, visitor information centre
2024 Interconnections, Cowra Micro Gallery, Cowra NSW.
2023 Interwoven Connections, Western Plains Cultural Centre, (WPCC) Dubbo NSW.
2019 Interconnection One Space, Coonabarabran, exhibition and conducted recycled weaving workshops.
2019 & 2016 Artist in residence and showcase, Gold Coast City Council Libraries, Palm Beach Helensvale
Group exhibitions
2022 Wiradjuri Ngurambang Showcase, Parkes Shire Library & Cultural centre collaborative 7 local First Nations artists and Elders who have contributed to the Wiradjuri Ngurambang permanent exhibition:
2022 Parkes Potters' 50th anniversary exhibition
2021,22,23 Home program, Gunhigal Nguambang Wiradyuri Mayiny (Plains Country Wiradyuri people)
Ronda Sharpe Artist led workshop, Bathurst Regional Gallery, children’s and artist's work exhibited.
2024, 23, 22-21-20 Waste to Arts, Parkes Library and Cultural Centre, Netwaste community competition and exhibition
2020 Master of Arts in Visual Arts Exhibition, graduating students: Master of Arts in Visual Arts (MAVA).
2020 Arts Revival Exhibition, for Parkes Art Revival Festival, Parkes Library and Cultural Centre.
2019 Hidden Midden Uncovering Truth, South Stradbroke Island Indigenous Artist Camp, (HOTA) Gold Coast.
2019 Morphosis, Queensland College of Arts, Griffith University, Flight Centre Brisbane, selected works.
2019 Outside In Exhibition, St Vincent's private Hospital, Brisbane
2019 On the Wing Exhibition, Lorraine Pilgrim Gallery for Gold Coast Indigenous Art Collective.
2019 Kalari-Lachlan River Arts Festival Inc presents Flow Gallery, Forbes NSW
2019 Waijung Jargun Motherland, air wind and sea, Robina Gold Coast Library Gallery
2018 Graduation exhibition Queensland College of Arts, (QCA) Griffith University, selected student works
2018 The Churchie National Emerging art prize, QUT Art Musuem - Brisbane.
2018 SWELL Sculpture festival, outdoor sculpture exhibition, Currumbin Beach Gold Coast
2018 Totems, Masks & Upcycled Exhibition, Sculptor’s Society Gold Coast
2018 Gold Coast City Library’s Annual Artist Showcase
2017 The Tree of life and seasons xhibition, Robina Art Gallery, theme for exhibition was Seasons
2017 Machinery St Gallery Public art exhibition, Queensland College of Arts, (QCA) Griffith University, presents selected artwork from three students enrolled in the Bachelor of Fine Art program.
2017 Word of Mouth Collective Exhibition, Jugglers Gallery Fortitude Valley
Professional Development programs
2024 Cave Urban - “Architectural Interventions “workshop at the Cowra CORRIDOR project@artsoutwest #culturalconnectionscorridorproject and @thecorridorprojectcowra
2024 Unique Identities, Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance ARAA,Artists and Arts Workers from regional NSW
2022 Wiradjuri Ngurambang Permanent Exhibition Parkes Shire Library & Cultural centre as a Wiradjuri curatorial member/commissioned artist: exhibition showcasing Wiradjuri artefacts, language, artwork, digital form.
2019 South Stradbroke Island Indigenous Artist Camp, professional development processes for emerging Indigenous artists, Coast City Council artist, Gordon Hookey, Rick Roser, Bianca Beetson and Laurie Nilson.
2019 Artist in Residence / Jan, Feb, workshops Gold Coast City Libraries, 11th Creative Palm Beach.
2018 Intertwine, Gold Coast City Council, collaborative indigenous community workshop conducted by Grace Lillian Lee exploring identity, culture and creating creative fashion items for Gold Coast Festive 2018, Intertwine Fashion Parade and Printmaking, Black Square Arts conducted by Laurie Nona and Dian Darmansjah
Selected Facilitated Workshops Hosted by Ronda Sharpe
2023 Wiyi Yani U Thangani National Summit. We are the change. National Convention Centre Canberra ACT.
2023,22,21 Home Aboriginal Art from NSW Program, Art Gallery of NSW, hosted at Bathurst Regional Gallery (BRAG), Ronda Sharpe Artist lead workshops facilitator & presenter 50 children, teacher’s, exhibition of works.
2023, Cultural Awareness Teachers development, Bathurst West Public Sch. facilitated weaving W/shops 65 teachers.
2023, 22 Spring Hill Public School – 3day collaborative workshops to create recycled sculptural art.
Various years Waste to Arts & weaving workshops Schools, Councils, Galleries, and regional Community
Various years NAIDOC Cultural weaving workshop Parkes & surrounding Wiradjuri communities,Griffith university College of Arts, Brisbane, HOTA Gold Coast, schools, councils, community and galleries.
