About
Inspired by elements of make-believe such as costume and props, stories and characters that are rich in visceral qualities and evocative sentiment.
Nicole Vandersteegen grew up in Cooma in the Snowy Mountains region of NSW, to migrant parents of Belgian and Maltese-Lebanese descent.
She studied painting at Monash University in Melbourne and has exhibited in group shows across Australia, including as a finalist in the Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize 2021 and the Togart Contemporary Art Award 2012 and 2013.
Her work delves into the genre of magical realism: seeking to conjure what is known or familiar, within a surreal or peculiar narrative.
Nicole’s paintings are a culmination of her creative process. Making props and using fabric is a part of her practice she enjoys for its sculptural qualities: using her hands in a different way to painting, problem solving and sewing to create an object that she can then use in a stage set to create drama and focus by the play of light and shadow.
Nostalgic references are often derived from personal experience or memory, a fragment of something that sparks interest and evokes an idea.
She also works as a graphic designer, with a special focus on arts and culture projects in her business Niva Design.
CURRICULUM VITAE
1970 born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
STUDIES
1992 Art History & Theory (External Studies), Monash University College, Gippsland VIC
1992 Art Guide Training, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
1993-94 Graphic Design Studio Skills (p/t), Chase School NSW
1996-98 Bachelor of Fine Art (painting), Monash University, Caulfield VIC
2014-2015 Bachelor of Graphic Design, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga NSW
Lives and works in Tanja, on the south coast of New South Wales
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018 Floral Interlude, The Wharf Local, Tathra NSW
2017 Darwin paintings 2012–2015, The Wharf Local, Tathra NSW
2007 My family and other animals, Raglan Gallery & Cultural Centre, Cooma NSW
2004 The Floating World, Spiral Gallery, Bega NSW
2003 Shimmer: Nicole Vandersteegen & Annie Franklin, Spiral Gallery, Bega NSW
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 The Palette Project, Gallery Alchemy, Milton NSW
2023 Seasonal showcase, Studio 15/The Little Gallery, Tanja NSW
2023 2nd prize, Cars, Cars, Cars Spiral Gallery, Bega NSW
2022 Finalist, Bluethumb Art Prize –still life category, bluethumb.com.au/competitions/prize-
2022 Spiral 25+, anniversary touring exhibition Spiral Gallery, Bega & The BAS, Moruya NSW
2021 Finalist, Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize, Centenary Centre, Gordon, Sydney NSW
2019 John Briscoe Memorial Art Award, Raglan Gallery & Cultural Centre, Cooma NSW
2018 John Briscoe Memorial Art Award, Raglan Gallery & Cultural Centre, Cooma NSW
2017 Spiral 25 Years, Spiral Gallery, Bega NSW
2016 Belle Arti Prize, Chapman Bailey Gallery, Abbotsford VIC
2014 Belle Arti Prize, 25 Nov to 24 Feb 2015, Chapman Bailey Gallery, Abbotsford VIC
2014 Off Cuts, April, Don Whyte Framing Studio, Coconut Grove, NT
2013 The Togart Contemporary Art Award, 17 Sep to 18 Oct 2013, Chan Contemporary Arts Space, Darwin NT
2013 The Postcard Show, Linden Centre for Contemporary Art, St Kilda VIC
2012 Small Works, Outstation Gallery, Parap NT
2012 40x40 Brunswick Street Gallery, Fitzroy, VIC
2012 New Territories, 24HR Art: NT Centre for Contemporary Art, Darwin NT
2012 The Togart Contemporary Art Award, 6 Sep to 13 Oct 2012, Chan Contemporary Arts Space, Darwin NT
2012 Lethbridge 10000 small scale art award online exhibition Lethbridge Gallery, Paddington QLD
2009 Meroogal Women’s Art Prize Shoalhaven City Arts Centre, Nowra and Spiral Gallery Bega
2008 In On Off Bega Valley Regional Gallery, Bega NSW
2006-07 Valley to the Sea: the concept of shared land Bega Valley Regional Art Gallery, Bega, Cowra Regional Art Gallery, Mechanics Institute Moruya, Orange Regional Gallery
2006 Art of the South East, touring exhibition, Mechanics Institute (Moruya), Spiral Gallery (Bega), Raglan Gallery and Cultural Centre (Cooma)
2006 Sit on it Spiral Gallery, Bega NSW
2006 Out of the Box Bega Valley Regional Gallery, Bega NSW
2004 Meroogal Women’s Art Prize Historic Houses Trust, Nowra & Spiral Gallery, Bega
2003 Miniature Textiles National Beechworth Arts Council, Beechworth VIC
2002 Drama Queen: Illustrators Ass of Australia Annual 9 x 5, Victorian Arts Centre, Melbourne
2002 Bega Valley Regional Art Award, Regional Gallery, Bega NSW
2000 Square Gallery 101, Melbourne VIC
2000 Decade: 10 years of tapestry at Monash Faculty Gallery, Caulfield VIC
1999 Review Gallery 101, Melbourne VIC
1999 Emerging Artists Program Bulle Galleries, Melbourne VIC
1998 Impact: Art for a new world view Monash University Gallery, Clayton VIC
1997 Art Wear Awards Whitehorse City Council & Box Hill TAFE, Box Hill VIC
AWARDS AND GRANTS
2012 & 2013 Finalist for The Togart Contemporary Art Award, Chan Contemporary Arts Space, Darwin
2012 24HR Art New Territories 2012, 2nd prize, Darwin
2007 Invited artist for Valley to the Sea Arts NSW & BVRG mentoring program with Mandy Martin
2006 People’s Choice Award Out of the Box exhibition, Bega Valley Regional Gallery
2003, 2004, 2009 Marketing Grant for NSW Artists NAVA and NSW Ministry for the Arts
COLLECTIONS
Private collections in Australia
Acquired 2004 New England Regional Art Museum, Armidale NSW
2001-2002 On loan BHP Collection Aitken Hill Convention Centre, Aitken Hill Vic
PUBLICATIONS, ARTICLES AND REVIEWS
Togart Contemporary Art Award exhibition catalogue, The Toga Group, 2013
Togart Contemporary Art Award exhibition catalogue, The Toga Group, 2012
Dr Sasha Grishin, ‘Togart Contemporary Art Award’, Craft Arts International, No 87, 2013
Valley to the Sea: the concept of shared land, exhibition catalogue, Bega Valley Regional Gallery & Arts NSW, 2010
Curatorial introduction by Richard Maude, essay by Mandy Martin
Helen Musa, ‘Shared landscape’, Canberra Times, 2 January 2007
Helen Musa, ‘A joint exhibition’, Canberra Times, 22 Feb 2003
Impact: Art for a new world view, exhibition catalogue, Monash University Gallery, Clayton VIC, 1998