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Olive Burgess (b. 1994) is an interdisciplinary artist and writer. Her work connects seemingly disparate things in order to draw out connections which western systems dismantle and deny. Her recent work explores ways of de-centralising metropolitan superiority in both art and systems, leaning on her research in haptics, time, the body, the weather, and place—post-colonial landscape theory frameworks. As a lesbian woman, her body is continually mediated by systems designed to displace and dislocate. Her work is a counter to this. Burgess lives and works on Gadigal, Wiradjuri and Awabakal land, however she grew up on a river and a farm on Birpai country. For more information on her processes, go here.
Education
University of Sydney / Sydney College of the Arts
Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours Class I)
2021 - 2024
Billy Blue College of Design
Communcation Design
2014-2016
I acknowledge that I write, research and make work on Indigenous land, owned by ancestors, past, present and emerging. I acknowledge that I have undergone research and made work on and about the land of Gadigal, Birpai, Wiradjuri, Gumbaynggirr, Ngunnawal and Bundjalung land, where material is alive. Many themes I work with are key knowing for Indigenous Australians who have known and shared for over 60,000 years. I am thankful for the skies, the land and the water of which are continuously cared for by these people - the oldest living culture in the world and the people for which nature and culture have never been divided.
It’s Happening,
(Duo Exhibition with Vicky Browne)
WAYOUT Artspace,
Kandos,
December 4 - Feb 21, 2026
(upcoming)
The Weather and What Is,
Platform, Canberra
2026
Can you Hear the Talking?
SHAC Gallery, Robertson
2025
Canberra Contemporary
Photo Prize, PhotoAccess
July, 2026
(upcoming)
Landscape and Memory,
Palangi Gallery,
August 2026
(upcoming)
Surface Tone,
The Corner Gallery, Stanmore
March, 2026
GREEN
Leda Gallery,
Newcastle 2026
Works on Paper Prize
SHAC Gallery
2025
She, The Burren,
Newtwown Castle,
Ballyvuaghan, Ireland
2025
Significant Other
Backspace Gallery,
2024
Clouds 3
Newcastle Art Space
2024
50 Square Art Prize
Brunswick Street Gallery,
Melbourne, 2024
Online Exhibition,
Sonic Spaces
2022
Sydney New Contemporaries,
SCA Gallery,
2023 and 2024
The Burren College,
Ballyvaughan, Ireland
February 2025
Megalo Graduate Residency,
Megalo Print Studio,
Canberra
July 2025
The Corridor Project - Durational
Cowra, NSW
February 2026 and August 2026
Prizes
Finalist
Canberra Contemporary Photo Prize, PhotoAccess,
2026
Winner
Works on Paper Prize
SHAC Gallery
2025
Fauvette Laurerio SCA Travel
Scholarship Awardee
2024
Zelda Stedman Award
2023 and 2024
Jerome De Costa Prize
2022
Programs
2026 Ancher Points: Lewers Emerging Arts Program,
Penrith Regional Gallery,
Emu Plains
Press
Suboart Magazine
June/July 2025