Artist in Residence 2025
David Booth, better known by his pseudonym Ghostpatrol, is a Melbourne-based Australian artist whose career began in the city's iconic laneways as a street artist. His distinctive work combines drawing, painting, murals and installations to create imaginative worlds filled with whimsical creatures, hybrid animals and dreamlike landscapes. Inspired by his Tasmanian childhood and a fascination with nature, science and the cosmos, Ghostpatrol's artworks invite viewers into playful yet thought-provoking alternate realities.
Artist in Residence 2023
Simon Normand is an Australian artist whose multidisciplinary practice spans painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, mapping and artist books. His work explores the connections between Country, history and Aboriginal cultural knowledge, drawing on decades of collaboration with Marra, Wandarrang, Waagilak, Nunggubuyu and Yanyuwa communities across northern Australia. Through his art, Simon examines Australia's relationship with its past, highlighting the importance of preserving stories, language and cultural knowledge while encouraging a deeper understanding of place and identity.
Artist in Residence 2021
Alexandra Hiller is a Melbourne-based visual artist and designer whose practice spans abstract painting, theatre design and creative facilitation. With a background in fine art and dramatic arts, she creates expressive works that reflect her passion for creativity, storytelling and human connection. In addition to her visual arts practice, Alexandra is the author of the memoir Untangled: Navigating the Hot Mess of Grief and Finding Life.
Artist in Residence 2019
Pip Edwards is a Melbourne-based artist, educator and illustrator with a background in fine art and graphic design. Her practice spans painting, book illustration, mural art and mosaic, with a particular passion for still life and colour. Renowned for her expertise in colour theory, Pip has taught from her Glen Waverley studio since 2002, inspiring students to develop strong painting and drawing skills while exploring creativity through art.
Artist in Residence 2018
Dr Helen Bodycomb is one of Australia's leading contemporary mosaic artists, with more than 30 years of experience working in stone, glass and sculpture. Her innovative practice combines traditional mosaic techniques with contemporary materials and ideas, creating works that range from intricate artworks to large-scale public installations. Internationally recognised for her artistic and academic contributions, Helen continues to expand the possibilities of mosaic through her practice, research and teaching.
Artist in Residence 2017
Melbourne-based artist Oli Ruskidd is best known for his vibrant large-scale murals and interdisciplinary practice spanning painting, digital art and sculpture. Inspired by organic forms, ancient symbolism and psychedelic patterns, his work creates immersive, otherworldly environments filled with movement and colour. Continually experimenting with new materials and techniques, Oli's practice bridges traditional craftsmanship with contemporary digital innovation.
Artist in Residence 2016
Damian Vick (YOG 1998) is a Melbourne-based sculptor whose work explores the patterns, structures and forms found in the natural world. Working primarily with metal, timber and other natural materials, he creates striking sculptures and installations that balance precision with organic movement. Drawing on a background in graphic design, Damian combines engineering, craftsmanship and artistic expression to produce award-winning contemporary works.
Artists in Residence 2015
Yarra Valley Grammar alumna Lisa (YOG 1986) is a Melbourne-based artist and qualified graphic designer whose practice focuses on porcelain jewellery, functional ceramics and installation art. Her work combines intricate craftsmanship with a passion for community collaboration, creating artworks that encourage creativity, connection and environmental awareness.
Artist in Residence 2014
Andy Drewitt is a Victorian writer, award-winning photojournalist and documentary photographer with a passion for storytelling. After beginning his career as a journalist, he turned his focus to photography while continuing to write whenever words were needed to tell the rest of the story. Whether through images, articles or poetry, Andy's work captures the people, places and moments that shape everyday life.
Artist in Residence 2013
Dr Jan Donaldson is an Australian artist, jeweller and educator whose practice spans jewellery, sculpture and object making. Holding a PhD in Fine Art, her work explores the relationship between objects and identity, often drawing on the human figure, text and cultural artefacts. Through her intricate creations, Jan invites viewers to consider how everyday objects can shape memory, identity and human experience.
Artist in Residence 2010
Based in Victoria's Yarra Valley, David Ray is one of Australia's leading contemporary ceramic artists. His vibrant, Baroque-inspired vessels combine intricate decoration with handcrafted forms to explore themes of consumerism, beauty and Australian culture. Through bold colour, texture and playful contrasts, David transforms traditional ceramic techniques into expressive works that challenge the boundaries between function, decoration and fine art.
Artist in Residence 2009
Paul Round is a Melbourne-based street artist recognised for his distinctive graffiti style and vibrant mural work. His practice explores the evolving role of street art, bringing the energy of public spaces into homes, businesses and community projects. Through bold colour and expressive imagery, Paul continues to contribute to Melbourne's dynamic urban art scene.
Artist in Residence 2008
Paul Fagan, lumberjack/wood carver, spent three weeks with the Middle School Art students thanks to Lisa Hass, former YVG student and student teacher. Paul helped the students carve and paint a series of bollards depicting some 60s influences, as well as representations of some of the curriculum areas. After much cutting and painting, these amazingly resembled the people and characters they were modelled on!
Artist in Residence 2007
Alistair Whyte (Vale) was an Australian master potter whose work was shaped by more than five decades of dedication to the ceramic arts. Influenced by his studies in Australia and Japan, he created timeless pottery that blended traditional techniques with his own artistic vision. Based in Victoria's Yarra Valley, Alistair believed in working from the heart, producing handcrafted pieces that reflected patience, craftsmanship and a deep respect for the creative process.
Artist in Residence 2006
Stax, also known as the Didgeman, is an Aboriginal artist and educator who shares his knowledge of culture, history and storytelling through art. Through artist residencies and collaborative projects, he works with students to explore Indigenous perspectives, encouraging a deeper understanding of Country, cultural traditions and the important role art plays in connecting people to place and community.
Artist in Residence 2005
Adriana Christianson is a Melbourne-based studio potter whose handcrafted ceramics are created and fired in her home studio. With a background in ceramics and years of experience in production pottery, her practice now focuses on exploring clay, glazing techniques and functional forms. Best known for her distinctive teapots and Bird Series, Adriana draws inspiration from Australia's native birdlife and the natural landscapes surrounding her home.
Artist in Residence 2001
David Moore is an Australian painter based in Castlemaine, Victoria, whose work celebrates the landscapes and still life of Central Victoria. Inspired by the changing light and atmosphere of the natural world, his paintings capture quiet moments with warmth, colour and a strong sense of place. Alongside his artistic practice, David has spent decades sharing his passion for painting as a respected teacher and mentor.
Artist in Residence 1998
Sharon Muir is an Australian ceramic artist whose practice draws inspiration from archaeology, museums and the stories held within everyday objects. Using ceramics to explore themes of memory, identity and personal history, her work transforms familiar forms into vessels that encourage reflection on the connections between people, place and the past.
Artist in Residence 1997
Dwight Hodge (YOG 1994) is a Melbourne-based creative whose background spans painting, sculpture, design and entrepreneurship. After studying Studio Arts at Yarra Valley Grammar, he continued his creative education at the Victorian College of the Arts before establishing a career in design and business. His artistic practice reflects a passion for craftsmanship, creativity and lifelong learning, with a strong belief in continually refining ideas and embracing new opportunities.
Artist in Residence 1995
Chris Chun (YOG 1988) is an Australian artist and designer whose multidisciplinary practice includes printmaking, painting, textiles, ceramics and graphic design. Now based in Thailand, he has established an international creative career, producing work that reflects his passion for storytelling, authenticity and meaningful human connection.
Artist in Residence 1994
James McArdle is an Australian photographer whose work explores perception, movement and the relationship between human vision and the camera. Through innovative photographic techniques, including layered perspectives and long exposures, he creates images that challenge the way we experience landscapes and the world around us. His practice bridges art and science, inviting viewers to see familiar places in new and unexpected ways.
Artist in Residence 1992
Gunther Kopietz was born in Melbourne in 1963. Since obtaining a Master of Fine Art in sculpture from RMIT 1987, Kopietz has established a studio in Warrandyte where he creates life sized wooden figurative sculptures. He has held numerous solo shows across Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide and has participated in group shows both here and internationally
