Artist Biography
Rossanne Pellegrino
photographer
Rossanne Pellegrinois a photographic artist born in Adelaide, Australia, where she was as a student of International Studies, foreign languages & later, of photography at the University of South Australia. Rossanne’s distinctive documentary-style photography & her ability to employ various techniques such as press printing, photo transfer, polaroid manipulation & photographic hand colouring, have resulted in a diverse body of work; from black & white photo journalism, to delicately expressive imagery that resemble modern day paintings. Also embedded within her work is an exploration into cultural diversity & identity. Australian born to a Scottish Mother & an Italo-Australian father, Rossanne’s imagery often delves into the precariousness, peculiarity & endearing notion of nationality, the need to belong to a community & the power of memory. Extensive travel has also influenced her interest in cultural identity.
In 2002, Rossanne received a government grant to develop Looking Through Fresh Eyes, a project that aimed to bring Adelaide & its people to the observers’ attention & embraced the human diversity that exists within a community. Following a similar theme, Rossanne was involved in the production of photographic work for Snapshots of a New Life, a photographic exhibition for the Migrants Resources Centre of South Australia.
Her later aims of blurring the borders between photography & painting were realised when, in 2005, Rossanne was awarded a place in the Optus Mentorship Scheme (in conjunction with the Helpmann Academy of Art). The result was the highly successfully exhibition, Riccordo (I remember), with painter, Gregory Donovan. In 2006 Rossanne relocated to London where she continues to work as a photographic artist. Her first international exhibition, Layered & Unveiled took place in November 2007.
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employment
2009
Creative Director of www.weareallartists.co.uk, a website that serves as a forum for artists to showcase and sell their work to a wider audience both on a local and international scale.
2008
Photographer for VIMBA charity; social photography at various VIMBA events (London). www.vimba.co.uk
2006
Assistant Tutorial Co-ordinator, Barbican Gallery, London.
Gallery Manager of Proud Galleries, Camden, London
professional
2003
Flinders University, Bachelor of International Studies and Diploma of Language
2004
University of South Australia, Photographic Studies, Visual Communication
professional development
2007
Creation of www.rossannephotography.com and on-line art space, the Moving Gallery.
Member of the Seer, UK art network directory; http://www.theseer.info/8936.html.
2005
Creative director for the City Map for Disadvantaged Youths Project, Adelaide Inner City Youth Service.
Guest Speaker at the University of South Australia discussing ‘How to organise a Photographic Exhibition’.
2004
Guest Speaker at the University of South Australia discussing ‘Street Photography and Editorial Imagery’.
2003
Assisting in the production of photographic work for Snapshots Of A New Life, exhibited at the State Theatre (Adelaide) for the Migrants Resources Centre of South Australia.
Photographic Assistant with Orange Lane Photography for commercial shoot with State Theatre Company.
awards
2005
Recipient of In-Site Arts Grant awarded by Craft South and Ozco Arts Council.
2004
Accepted into the Optus Mentorship Scheme 2005 (in conjunction with the Helpmann Academy).
Recipient of In-Site Arts Grant awarded by Craft South and Ozco Arts Council.
2003
Recipient of Youth Arts Grant awarded by South Australian Youth Arts Board.
Awarded first prize for photographic works exhibited at Click! @ J111 Gallery, University of
South Australia, Holbrooks Road, Adelaide, Australia.
solo exhibitions
2004
In.transit @ Flightpath, 101 Hindley Street, Adelaide.
2003
Looking Through Fresh Eyes @ FAD Gallery, 40 Waymouth Street, Adelaide. (An exhibition part of the SALA [South Australian Living Artists] Festival.)
selected group exhibitions
2010
Summer Exhibition at Max Dawn Gallery, Thebarton, Australia.
2009
Scotch College Fine Art Exhibition, Torrens Park, SA
2008
Westminster Open Arts Exhibition, SW1 Gallery, Cardinal Walk, London, SW1.
Parallel Lines @ La Boheme Gallery, Grote Street, Adelaide.
2007
Momentum @ the Adelaide Festival Theatre, North Terrace, Adelaide.
Layered & Unveiled @ Arts at 10GS Gallery, London, UK.
2005
Riccordo @ Prospect Gallery, 1 Thomas Street, Nailsworth.
Polar @ Avalon Gallery, Basement Level 66 Hindley Street, Adelaide.
2004
Lightlines@ J111 Gallery, University of South Australia, Holbrooks Road, Adelaide.
Self-titled @ To Relish, 126 – 128 King William Road, Hyde Park. (An exhibition part of the SALA [South Australian Living Artists] Festival.)
2003
Amalgam @ J111 Gallery, University of South Australia, Holbrooks Road, Adelaide.
Click! @ J111 Gallery, University of South Australia, Holbrooks Road, Adelaide.
publications
2010
London through a different lens, exhibition review by Gina Di Pieri Salvi. Review found at the GLAM Adelaide website.
2008
Interview with journalist, Kirsty Whalley, for Layered and Unveiled exhibition (London).
2007
Summer time in bikinis; produced photographic imagery for the Helpmann Academy 2007 Christmas card.
2005
Optus Mentorship Scheme interview with Lynda Allen, appearing in the Helpmann Academy Magazine, Australia.
2004
Abandoned Space; photographic imagery appearing in ‘STU Magazine: Melbourne Issue’, Sydney, Australia.