Alex Zubryn, painter and draughtsman, was born in Melbourne in 1965. He studied at the Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne from 1983-1985, during which time he completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts, later returning to the VCA/University of Melbourne and finishing a Masters of Fine Arts in 1998.
After completing his undergraduate studies at the VCA, Zubryn was awarded the College’s Travelling Grant, which enabled him to visit Italy in 1986 to study various collections, as well as travel to major museums in Europe. After returning to Melbourne, Zubryn undertook an artist residency at Gertrude Street Gallery, Melbourne (1987-88) and he joined Christine Abrahams Gallery, where he held his first solo exhibition in 1989. In the same year, he once again made a study trip to Italy, followed by Greece and the USA. Zubryn’s extensive travels continued, when in 1998-99 he visited countries such as Russia and France, and later Germany, among others, in 2001, gaining further insight into the history of art across numerous cultures. His travels in 2001 had in fact been prompted by a studio residency at the British School in Rome, awarded to Zubryn by the Australian Arts Council.
Zubryn’s paintings often present everyday scenes, such as the works in his series ‘Hard Rubbish’ (2010). This group of paintings depict objects discarded on the nature strip, presenting a juxtaposition between the private realm of the homes from which the objects originated and the public nature of suburban streets. In an early series, around 2004, Zubryn portrayed large, powerful tree trunks, which were inspired by ranks of gums near Melbourne Zoo. Zubryn’s paintings, such as those from ‘Things of an Urban Nature,’ draw upon photographs as visual references, yet they retain a painterly application of the medium.
Since 1988, Zubryn’s work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Australia and overseas. His solo exhibitions have included ‘Things of an Urban Nature’ (2003) Esa Jaske Gallery, Sydney (also exhibited at Mass Gallery, Melbourne in 2002), and ‘Other Cities’ (2004) La Trobe Regional Gallery, Morwell Victoria. Turning to group exhibitions, Zubryn’s work appeared in the 1999 Deacons Graham and James Art Prize at the Ian Potter Museum of Art, Melbourne, the Keith and Elizabeth Murdoch Art Prize at The Victorian College of the Arts in 1999 and 2001 and ‘Rome Academici’ at the Monash University Faculty Gallery, Melbourne, and at the British School in Rome in 2005, later travelling to the University of Hobart.
In addition to his career as an artist, Zubryn has worked extensively as a teacher. Prior to his position as Associate Lecturer of Media and Communication at RMIT University, Melbourne, he was involved in various community projects and taught at Trinity Grammar School and The School of Early Childhood, La Trobe University.
Notable awards in Zubryn’s artistic career have included the previously mentioned Victorian College of the Arts Travelling Grant (1986) and the Rome Studio Residency presented by the Australian Council in 1999. Furthermore, in 2008, Zubryn received a commission from the Director of the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) to create a painting in commemoration of the new stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which is on display in the MCC members stand.
Zubryn’s work is held in several prominent Australian collections including the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, the State Library of Victoria, Melbourne, and Artbank, as well as overseas collections, such as Foundation Colas, France, and various private collections.
- Writers:
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- Date written:
- 2012
- Last updated:
- 2012
