Nani Puspasari

  • Visual Artist, Illustrator & Ceramicist
    based in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia

  • Nani’s diverse artistic practice encompasses painting, graphics, installation, and ceramic sculpture, exploring the intersection of childhood memories, identity, migration, and cultural hybridity. Her work delves into emotions of innocence, anxiety, loss, and sorrow. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant colours and intricate patterns of traditional Asian art and the bold forms of Western art, her work engages with the complexities of cultural in influences.

  • Item description
  • [email protected]
    or contact form here

 

Education


2010
Master of Fine Art, RMIT, Melbourne

2008
Master of Design (Communication), Swinburne, Melbourne

2003
Bachelor of Visual Communication Design, UKPetra, ID

 

Selected Awards + Grants + Residencies


2024
Finalist, (11th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Finalist, Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize
Finalist, North Queensland Ceramic Awards
Finalist, Emerging Artist Award 2024 by Fortyfivedownstairs
Residency, Raku - Symposium BIODIVERSITY, Mils, Tyrol, Habsburgs, Austria
Residency, RMUTT University, Thanyaburi, Thailand

2023
Sculpture Highly Commended, Hornsby Art Prize
Finalist, Muswellbrook Art Prize (Ceramic)
Residency, SoYun Art Space, Haenam, South Korea
Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
Finalist, Little Things Art Prize (Ceramic)
Finalist, TRAILS Sculpture Prize

2021
Finalist, (8th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Grant, Sustaining Creative Workers initiative, RAV
Grant, Small Project Grants, City of Yarra

2020
Residency, 15th Arts Festival, Poh Chang Academy of Arts, Bangkok
Grant, National Assistance Program for the Arts, Sidney Myer Fund

2019
Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
Residency, RMUTI International Art Workshop 2019, Korat, Thailand
Merit, 3x3 International Illustration Award No.16

2018
Fine Art Prize, Japan Illustration Award

2017
Best of Best, Hiii Illustration Award (Commercial)

2016
Runners up, Creative Quarterly 46 (Illustration)

2015
Residency, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Bali, Indonesia
Shortlisted, Premio Combat Prize (Graphic Arts)

201
Shortlisted, Create Design Award (Illustration)
Silver, Illustrator Australia Award
Finalist, Lethbridge Art Award (Painting)

2008
Winner, Bank of Queensland Encouragement Award (Painting)

 

Selected Solo Exhibition


2024
Childhood Cheeks, Grown-Up Madness, Manningham Art Gallery
Invisible Playground, Vitrine Gallery, CRAFT VIC

2023
More Birthday Cake, SOL Gallery, Melbourne

2022
Adulthood, Alternative Current Space, Melbourne

2021
Macan, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne

2019
Between Somewhere, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne

2017
Garden Soul, Off The Kerb Gallery, Melbourne

2011
Girl & Animal, First Site Gallery, Melbourne

 

Selected Group Exhibition


2024
The New Generation: Asian Heritage in Ceramics, Bunjil Place Gallery
Small Pleasures, Gallery Lowe and Lee, Sydney
Biodiversity, Galerie Im Schalterhaus, Mils, Austria
Divergence, Sol Gallery, Melbourne
Dragon Dream, Haengchon Art Museum, Haenam, South Korea

2023
Hornsby Art Prize, the Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, Hornsby, NSW
The Taste of Haenam, Daeheungsa, Haenam, South Korea
Immersed Mountains and Serene Waters, Mokpo Culture and Art Centre, South Korea
Muswellbrook Art Prize Exhibition
, NSW
Gather|Together, Salamanca Arts Centre, Hobart, Tasmania
Welcome Home, Honey Bones Gallery
TRAILS Sculpture Prize, Portland CBD, South West Coast, VIC
Gems: So Far, Divisions Gallery at Pentridge, Melbourne
Senhwa (Black Rabbit), Haengchon Art Museum, South Korea
2022 Deckade, Backwoods Gallery, Melbourne
Local 2022, Outre Gallery, Melbourne
2021 Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
2021 KAAF Art Prize Award Exhibition, Sydney
2020 Time Change, RMUTT, Thanyaburi, Thailand
2019 Gong-jae & The Artists’ Self Portrait, Haengchon Art Museum, Korea
Femina Extravaganza, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2018 Illustrating Life III, Beijing, China
2015 Premio Combat, Museo Civico Giovanni Fattori ex Granai di Villa Mimbelli, Liverno, Italy
2013 4th Annual Belle Arti Prize, Chapman & Bailey Gallery, Melbourne
2012 Dino Wars, Jurassic Lounge, Australia Museum, Sydney
2011 Nursery Rhymes, Urban Cow Studio Gallery, Adelaide
2010 The Space that Measures Distance, Chinese Museum, Melbourne
Drawgasmic, The Mad Art Gallery, Saint Louis, USA
2008 A Walk of Art, The Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, Melbourne
Fifth Annual SNAP TO GRID, APWArts Gallery, Los Angeles
BRAngerous Women Art Exhibition, CCCL, Sby, ID
2007 Fine Art East Java 2007, Taman Budaya, Sby, ID
07 Joint, Busan, South Korea
Fine Art: Wanita (h), Gallery Surabaya, Sby, ID
Graphic Art Modern, Taman Budaya, Sby, ID

 

 

Selected Awards + Grants + Residencies


 
 
 
 
 


Solo Exhibitions

2024 Childhood Cheeks, Grown-Up Madness, Manningham Art Gallery
Invisible Playground, Vitrine Gallery, CRAFT VIC
2023 More Birthday Cake, SOL Gallery, Melbourne
2022 Adulthood, Alternative Current Space, Melbourne
2021 Macan, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2019 Between Somewhere, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2017 Garden Soul, Off The Kerb Gallery, Melbourne
2011 Girl & Animal, First Site Gallery, Melbourne

Selected Group Exhibitions

Public Art Works

2023 Coles South Melbourne, Melbourne - mural
2022 Lunar Banner (Tiger), Sydney Lunar Festival, City of Sydney
2021 Me and UooUoo: The RCH150 Anniversary Art Trail by The Royal Children's Foundation Hospital
2010-now Mural, private/ commercial commissions

Collections

Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection, Australia
Haengchon Cultural Art Foundation(ACAF), South Korea
Haenam Culture & Arts Centre, South Korea
Poh Chang Academy of Art, Bangkok, Thailand 
Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Thailand  
Private Collections: USA, Australia, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia 

Selected Press

2023 ABC Art-Works season.03 ep.12
2018 The artist creates fantasies that challenge women’s reality, Vice ID 
2018 Melbourne Art, Uppercase 36, magazine 
2017 Home Living, featured on The Herald Sun p.24-25, 30 
2016 An Obsession to Create, Tempo, March page 14-20 
2015 An Artist Called Nani, interview by Helen Brown 
2012 Book: Arbeitende Orte (German Edition) 
2011 Culture, Nylon Mag Ed.Dec p.64 
more press

Photos by Dotti Li, Nani Puspasari

 

Education


2010
Master of Fine Art, RMIT, Melbourne

2008
Master of Design (Communication), Swinburne, Melbourne

2003
Bachelor of Visual Communication Design, UKPetra, ID

 
 

Selected Awards + Grants + Residencies


2025

Residency, Shiragaki Ceramic Museum, Japan

2024
Finalist, (11th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Finalist, Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize
Finalist, North Queensland Ceramic Awards
Finalist, Emerging Artist Award 2024 by Fortyfivedownstairs
Residency, Raku - Symposium BIODIVERSITY, Mils, Tyrol, Habsburgs, Austria
Residency, RMUTT University, Thanyaburi, Thailand

2023
Sculpture Highly Commended, Hornsby Art Prize
Finalist, Muswellbrook Art Prize (Ceramic)
Finalist, Little Things Art Prize (Ceramic)
Finalist, TRAILS Sculpture Prize
Residency, SoYun Art Space, Haenam, South Korea
Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea

2021
Finalist, (8th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Grant, Sustaining Creative Workers initiative, RAV
Grant, Small Project Grants, City of Yarra


2020

Residency, 15th Arts Festival, Poh Chang Academy of Arts, Bangkok

Grant, National Assistance Program for the Arts, Sidney Myer Fund

2019

Merit, 3x3 International Illustration Award No.16

Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
Residency, RMUTI International Art Workshop 2019, Korat, Thailand

2018

Fine Art Prize, Japan Illustration Award

2017

Best of Best, Hiii Illustration Award (Commercial)

2016

Runners up, Creative Quarterly 46 (Illustration)

2015

Shortlisted, Premio Combat Prize (Graphic Arts)
Residency, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Bali, Indonesia

2013

Finalist, Lethbridge Art Award (Painting)
Shortlisted, Create Design Award (Illustration)
Silver, Illustrator Australia Award

2008

Winner, Bank of Queensland Encouragement Award (Painting)

 

Selected Awards + Grants + Residencies


 
 
 
 
 


Solo Exhibitions

2024 Childhood Cheeks, Grown-Up Madness, Manningham Art Gallery
Invisible Playground, Vitrine Gallery, CRAFT VIC
2023 More Birthday Cake, SOL Gallery, Melbourne
2022 Adulthood, Alternative Current Space, Melbourne
2021 Macan, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2019 Between Somewhere, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2017 Garden Soul, Off The Kerb Gallery, Melbourne
2011 Girl & Animal, First Site Gallery, Melbourne

Selected Group Exhibitions

2024 The New Generation: Asian Heritage in Ceramics, Bunjil Place Gallery
Small Pleasures, Gallery Lowe and Lee, Sydney
Biodiversity, Galerie Im Schalterhaus, Mils, Austria
Divergence, Sol Gallery, Melbourne
Dragon Dream, Haengchon Art Museum, Haenam, South Korea
2023 Hornsby Art Prize, the Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, Hornsby, NSW
The Taste of Haenam, Daeheungsa, Haenam, South Korea
Immersed Mountains and Serene Waters, Mokpo Culture and Art Centre, South Korea
Muswellbrook Art Prize Exhibition, NSW
Gather|Together, Salamanca Arts Centre, Hobart, Tasmania
Welcome Home, Honey Bones Gallery
TRAILS Sculpture Prize, Portland CBD, South West Coast, VIC
Gems: So Far, Divisions Gallery at Pentridge, Melbourne
Senhwa (Black Rabbit), Haengchon Art Museum, South Korea
2022 Deckade, Backwoods Gallery, Melbourne
Local 2022, Outre Gallery, Melbourne
2021 Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
2021 KAAF Art Prize Award Exhibition, Sydney
2020 Time Change, RMUTT, Thanyaburi, Thailand
2019 Gong-jae & The Artists’ Self Portrait, Haengchon Art Museum, Korea
Femina Extravaganza, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2018 Illustrating Life III, Beijing, China
2015 Premio Combat, Museo Civico Giovanni Fattori ex Granai di Villa Mimbelli, Liverno, Italy
2013 4th Annual Belle Arti Prize, Chapman & Bailey Gallery, Melbourne
2012 Dino Wars, Jurassic Lounge, Australia Museum, Sydney
2011 Nursery Rhymes, Urban Cow Studio Gallery, Adelaide
2010 The Space that Measures Distance, Chinese Museum, Melbourne
Drawgasmic, The Mad Art Gallery, Saint Louis, USA
2008 A Walk of Art, The Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, Melbourne
Fifth Annual SNAP TO GRID, APWArts Gallery, Los Angeles
BRAngerous Women Art Exhibition, CCCL, Sby, ID
2007 Fine Art East Java 2007, Taman Budaya, Sby, ID
07 Joint, Busan, South Korea
Fine Art: Wanita (h), Gallery Surabaya, Sby, ID
Graphic Art Modern, Taman Budaya, Sby, ID

Public Art Works

2023 Coles South Melbourne, Melbourne - mural
2022 Lunar Banner (Tiger), Sydney Lunar Festival, City of Sydney
2021 Me and UooUoo: The RCH150 Anniversary Art Trail by The Royal Children's Foundation Hospital
2010-now Mural, private/ commercial commissions

Collections

Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection, Australia
Haengchon Cultural Art Foundation(ACAF), South Korea
Haenam Culture & Arts Centre, South Korea
Poh Chang Academy of Art, Bangkok, Thailand 
Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Thailand  
Private Collections: USA, Australia, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia 

Selected Press

2023 ABC Art-Works season.03 ep.12
2018 The artist creates fantasies that challenge women’s reality, Vice ID 
2018 Melbourne Art, Uppercase 36, magazine 
2017 Home Living, featured on The Herald Sun p.24-25, 30 
2016 An Obsession to Create, Tempo, March page 14-20 
2015 An Artist Called Nani, interview by Helen Brown 
2012 Book: Arbeitende Orte (German Edition) 
2011 Culture, Nylon Mag Ed.Dec p.64 
more press

Photos by Dotti Li, Nani Puspasari

 
 

Education


 

2010
Master of Fine Art, RMIT, Melbourne

2008
Master of Design (Communication), Swinburne, Melbourne

2003
Bachelor of Visual Communication Design, UKPetra, ID

 
 

Selected Awards + Grants + Residencies


 

2024 Finalist, (11th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Finalist, Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize
Finalist, North Queensland Ceramic Awards
Finalist, Emerging Artist Award 2024 by Fortyfivedownstairs
Residency, Raku - Symposium BIODIVERSITY, Mils, Tyrol, Habsburgs, Austria
Residency, RMUTT University, Thanyaburi, Thailand

2023 Sculpture Highly Commended, Hornsby Art Prize
Finalist, Muswellbrook Art Prize (Ceramic)
Residency, SoYun Art Space, Haenam, South Korea
Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
Finalist, Little Things Art Prize (Ceramic)
Finalist, TRAILS Sculpture Prize

2021 Finalist, (8th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Grant, Sustaining Creative Workers initiative, RAV
Grant, Small Project Grants, City of Yarra

2020 Residency, 15th Arts Festival, Poh Chang Academy of Arts, Bangkok
Grant, National Assistance Program for the Arts, Sidney Myer Fund

2019 Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
Residency, RMUTI International Art Workshop 2019, Korat, Thailand
Merit, 3x3 International Illustration Award No.16

2018 Fine Art Prize, Japan Illustration Award
2017 Best of Best, Hiii Illustration Award (Commercial)
2016 Runners up, Creative Quarterly 46 (Illustration)

2015 Residency, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Bali, Indonesia
Shortlisted, Premio Combat Prize (Graphic Arts)

2013 Shortlisted, Create Design Award (Illustration)
Silver, Illustrator Australia Award
Finalist, Lethbridge Art Award (Painting)

2008 Winner, Bank of Queensland Encouragement Award (Painting)

 
 

Selected Solo Exhibition


Residency, Shiragaki Ceramic Museum, Japan

Finalist, (11th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Finalist, Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize
Finalist, North Queensland Ceramic Awards
Finalist, Emerging Artist Award 2024 by Fortyfivedownstairs
Residency, Raku - Symposium BIODIVERSITY, Mils, Tyrol, Habsburgs, Austria
Residency, RMUTT University, Thanyaburi, Thailand

Sculpture Highly Commended, Hornsby Art Prize
Finalist, Muswellbrook Art Prize (Ceramic)
Finalist, Little Things Art Prize (Ceramic)
Finalist, TRAILS Sculpture Prize
Residency, SoYun Art Space, Haenam, South Korea
Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea

Finalist, (8th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Grant, Sustaining Creative Workers initiative, RAV
Grant, Small Project Grants, City of Yarra

Residency, 15th Arts Festival, Poh Chang Academy of Arts, Bangkok
Grant, National Assistance Program for the Arts, Sidney Myer Fund

Merit, 3x3 International Illustration Award No.16
Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
Residency, RMUTI International Art Workshop 2019, Korat, Thailand

Fine Art Prize, Japan Illustration Award

Best of Best, Hiii Illustration Award (Commercial)

Runners up, Creative Quarterly 46 (Illustration)

Shortlisted, Premio Combat Prize (Graphic Arts)
Residency, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Bali, Indonesia

Silver, Illustrator Australia Award
Finalist, Lethbridge Art Award (Painting)
Shortlisted, Create Design Award (Illustration)

Winner, Bank of Queensland Encouragement Award (Painting)

 

 
 
 
 

2025

2025

Residency, Shiragaki Ceramic Museum, Japan

2024

Finalist, (11th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Finalist, Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize
Finalist, North Queensland Ceramic Awards
Finalist, Emerging Artist Award 2024 by Fortyfivedownstairs

Residency, Raku - Symposium BIODIVERSITY, Mils, Tyrol, Habsburgs, Austria
Residency, RMUTT University, Thanyaburi, Thailand

2023

Sculpture Highly Commended, Hornsby Art Prize
Finalist, Muswellbrook Art Prize (Ceramic)
Finalist, Little Things Art Prize (Ceramic)
Finalist, TRAILS Sculpture Prize

Residency, SoYun Art Space, Haenam, South Korea
Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea

2021

Finalist, (8th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize

Grant, Sustaining Creative Workers initiative, RAV
Grant, Small Project Grants, City of Yarra


2020

Residency, 15th Arts Festival, Poh Chang Academy of Arts, Bangkok

Grant, National Assistance Program for the Arts, Sidney Myer Fund

2019

Merit, 3x3 International Illustration Award No.16

Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
Residency, RMUTI International Art Workshop 2019, Korat, Thailand

2018

Fine Art Prize, Japan Illustration Award

2017

Best of Best, Hiii Illustration Award (Commercial)

2016

Runners up, Creative Quarterly 46 (Illustration)

2015

Shortlisted, Premio Combat Prize (Graphic Arts)
Residency, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Bali, Indonesia

2013

Finalist, Lethbridge Art Award (Painting)
Shortlisted, Create Design Award (Illustration)
Silver, Illustrator Australia Award

2008

Winner, Bank of Queensland Encouragement Award (Painting)

 

Selected Awards + Grants + Residencies


 
 
 
 
 


Solo Exhibitions

2024 Childhood Cheeks, Grown-Up Madness, Manningham Art Gallery
Invisible Playground, Vitrine Gallery, CRAFT VIC
2023 More Birthday Cake, SOL Gallery, Melbourne
2022 Adulthood, Alternative Current Space, Melbourne
2021 Macan, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2019 Between Somewhere, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2017 Garden Soul, Off The Kerb Gallery, Melbourne
2011 Girl & Animal, First Site Gallery, Melbourne

Selected Group Exhibitions

2024 The New Generation: Asian Heritage in Ceramics, Bunjil Place Gallery
Small Pleasures, Gallery Lowe and Lee, Sydney
Biodiversity, Galerie Im Schalterhaus, Mils, Austria
Divergence, Sol Gallery, Melbourne
Dragon Dream, Haengchon Art Museum, Haenam, South Korea
2023 Hornsby Art Prize, the Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, Hornsby, NSW
The Taste of Haenam, Daeheungsa, Haenam, South Korea
Immersed Mountains and Serene Waters, Mokpo Culture and Art Centre, South Korea
Muswellbrook Art Prize Exhibition, NSW
Gather|Together, Salamanca Arts Centre, Hobart, Tasmania
Welcome Home, Honey Bones Gallery
TRAILS Sculpture Prize, Portland CBD, South West Coast, VIC
Gems: So Far, Divisions Gallery at Pentridge, Melbourne
Senhwa (Black Rabbit), Haengchon Art Museum, South Korea
2022 Deckade, Backwoods Gallery, Melbourne
Local 2022, Outre Gallery, Melbourne
2021 Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
2021 KAAF Art Prize Award Exhibition, Sydney
2020 Time Change, RMUTT, Thanyaburi, Thailand
2019 Gong-jae & The Artists’ Self Portrait, Haengchon Art Museum, Korea
Femina Extravaganza, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2018 Illustrating Life III, Beijing, China
2015 Premio Combat, Museo Civico Giovanni Fattori ex Granai di Villa Mimbelli, Liverno, Italy
2013 4th Annual Belle Arti Prize, Chapman & Bailey Gallery, Melbourne
2012 Dino Wars, Jurassic Lounge, Australia Museum, Sydney
2011 Nursery Rhymes, Urban Cow Studio Gallery, Adelaide
2010 The Space that Measures Distance, Chinese Museum, Melbourne
Drawgasmic, The Mad Art Gallery, Saint Louis, USA
2008 A Walk of Art, The Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, Melbourne
Fifth Annual SNAP TO GRID, APWArts Gallery, Los Angeles
BRAngerous Women Art Exhibition, CCCL, Sby, ID
2007 Fine Art East Java 2007, Taman Budaya, Sby, ID
07 Joint, Busan, South Korea
Fine Art: Wanita (h), Gallery Surabaya, Sby, ID
Graphic Art Modern, Taman Budaya, Sby, ID

Public Art Works

2023 Coles South Melbourne, Melbourne - mural
2022 Lunar Banner (Tiger), Sydney Lunar Festival, City of Sydney
2021 Me and UooUoo: The RCH150 Anniversary Art Trail by The Royal Children's Foundation Hospital
2010-now Mural, private/ commercial commissions

Collections

Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection, Australia
Haengchon Cultural Art Foundation(ACAF), South Korea
Haenam Culture & Arts Centre, South Korea
Poh Chang Academy of Art, Bangkok, Thailand 
Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Thailand  
Private Collections: USA, Australia, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia 

Selected Press

2023 ABC Art-Works season.03 ep.12
2018 The artist creates fantasies that challenge women’s reality, Vice ID 
2018 Melbourne Art, Uppercase 36, magazine 
2017 Home Living, featured on The Herald Sun p.24-25, 30 
2016 An Obsession to Create, Tempo, March page 14-20 
2015 An Artist Called Nani, interview by Helen Brown 
2012 Book: Arbeitende Orte (German Edition) 
2011 Culture, Nylon Mag Ed.Dec p.64 
more press

Photos by Dotti Li, Nani Puspasari

 

Education


2010
Master of Fine Art, RMIT, Melbourne

2008
Master of Design (Communication), Swinburne, Melbourne

2003
Bachelor of Visual Communication Design, UKPetra, ID

 
 

Selected Awards + Grants + Residencies


 

2025

2024




2023




2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2013

2008

Residency, Shiragaki Ceramic Museum, Japan

Finalist, (11th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Finalist, Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize
Finalist, North Queensland Ceramic Awards
Finalist, Emerging Artist Award 2024 by Fortyfivedownstairs
Residency, Raku - Symposium BIODIVERSITY, Mils, Tyrol, Habsburgs, Austria
Residency, RMUTT University, Thanyaburi, Thailand

Sculpture Highly Commended, Hornsby Art Prize
Finalist, Muswellbrook Art Prize (Ceramic)
Finalist, Little Things Art Prize (Ceramic)
Finalist, TRAILS Sculpture Prize
Residency, SoYun Art Space, Haenam, South Korea
Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea

Finalist, (8th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Grant, Sustaining Creative Workers initiative, RAV
Grant, Small Project Grants, City of Yarra

Residency, 15th Arts Festival, Poh Chang Academy of Arts, Bangkok
Grant, National Assistance Program for the Arts, Sidney Myer Fund

Merit, 3x3 International Illustration Award No.16
Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
Residency, RMUTI International Art Workshop 2019, Korat, Thailand

Fine Art Prize, Japan Illustration Award

Best of Best, Hiii Illustration Award (Commercial)

Runners up, Creative Quarterly 46 (Illustration)

Shortlisted, Premio Combat Prize (Graphic Arts)
Residency, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Bali, Indonesia

Silver, Illustrator Australia Award
Finalist, Lethbridge Art Award (Painting)
Shortlisted, Create Design Award (Illustration)

Winner, Bank of Queensland Encouragement Award (Painting)

 

Selected Solo Exhibition


 

2025

2024



2023




2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2013

2008

 

Residency, Shiragaki Ceramic Museum, Japan

Finalist, (11th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Finalist, Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize
Finalist, North Queensland Ceramic Awards
Finalist, Emerging Artist Award 2024 by Fortyfivedownstairs
Residency, Raku - Symposium BIODIVERSITY, Mils, Tyrol, Habsburgs, Austria
Residency, RMUTT University, Thanyaburi, Thailand

Sculpture Highly Commended, Hornsby Art Prize
Finalist, Muswellbrook Art Prize (Ceramic)
Finalist, Little Things Art Prize (Ceramic)
Finalist, TRAILS Sculpture Prize
Residency, SoYun Art Space, Haenam, South Korea
Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea

Finalist, (8th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Grant, Sustaining Creative Workers initiative, RAV
Grant, Small Project Grants, City of Yarra

Residency, 15th Arts Festival, Poh Chang Academy of Arts, Bangkok
Grant, National Assistance Program for the Arts, Sidney Myer Fund

Merit, 3x3 International Illustration Award No.16
Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
Residency, RMUTI International Art Workshop 2019, Korat, Thailand

Fine Art Prize, Japan Illustration Award

Best of Best, Hiii Illustration Award (Commercial)

Runners up, Creative Quarterly 46 (Illustration)

Shortlisted, Premio Combat Prize (Graphic Arts)
Residency, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Bali, Indonesia

Silver, Illustrator Australia Award
Finalist, Lethbridge Art Award (Painting)
Shortlisted, Create Design Award (Illustration)

Winner, Bank of Queensland Encouragement Award (Painting)

 

Selected Group Exhibition


 

2025

2024



2023




2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2013

2008

 

Residency, Shiragaki Ceramic Museum, Japan

Finalist, (11th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Finalist, Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize
Finalist, North Queensland Ceramic Awards
Finalist, Emerging Artist Award 2024 by Fortyfivedownstairs
Residency, Raku - Symposium BIODIVERSITY, Mils, Tyrol, Habsburgs, Austria
Residency, RMUTT University, Thanyaburi, Thailand

Sculpture Highly Commended, Hornsby Art Prize
Finalist, Muswellbrook Art Prize (Ceramic)
Finalist, Little Things Art Prize (Ceramic)
Finalist, TRAILS Sculpture Prize
Residency, SoYun Art Space, Haenam, South Korea
Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea

Finalist, (8th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Grant, Sustaining Creative Workers initiative, RAV
Grant, Small Project Grants, City of Yarra

Residency, 15th Arts Festival, Poh Chang Academy of Arts, Bangkok
Grant, National Assistance Program for the Arts, Sidney Myer Fund

Merit, 3x3 International Illustration Award No.16
Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
Residency, RMUTI International Art Workshop 2019, Korat, Thailand

Fine Art Prize, Japan Illustration Award

Best of Best, Hiii Illustration Award (Commercial)

Runners up, Creative Quarterly 46 (Illustration)

Shortlisted, Premio Combat Prize (Graphic Arts)
Residency, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Bali, Indonesia

Silver, Illustrator Australia Award
Finalist, Lethbridge Art Award (Painting)
Shortlisted, Create Design Award (Illustration)

Winner, Bank of Queensland Encouragement Award (Painting)

 

 
 
 
 

2025

2025

Residency, Shiragaki Ceramic Museum, Japan

2024

Finalist, (11th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Finalist, Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize
Finalist, North Queensland Ceramic Awards
Finalist, Emerging Artist Award 2024 by Fortyfivedownstairs

Residency, Raku - Symposium BIODIVERSITY, Mils, Tyrol, Habsburgs, Austria
Residency, RMUTT University, Thanyaburi, Thailand

2023

Sculpture Highly Commended, Hornsby Art Prize
Finalist, Muswellbrook Art Prize (Ceramic)
Finalist, Little Things Art Prize (Ceramic)
Finalist, TRAILS Sculpture Prize

Residency, SoYun Art Space, Haenam, South Korea
Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea

2021

Finalist, (8th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize

Grant, Sustaining Creative Workers initiative, RAV
Grant, Small Project Grants, City of Yarra


2020

Residency, 15th Arts Festival, Poh Chang Academy of Arts, Bangkok

Grant, National Assistance Program for the Arts, Sidney Myer Fund

2019

Merit, 3x3 International Illustration Award No.16

Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
Residency, RMUTI International Art Workshop 2019, Korat, Thailand

2018

Fine Art Prize, Japan Illustration Award

2017

Best of Best, Hiii Illustration Award (Commercial)

2016

Runners up, Creative Quarterly 46 (Illustration)

2015

Shortlisted, Premio Combat Prize (Graphic Arts)
Residency, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Bali, Indonesia

2013

Finalist, Lethbridge Art Award (Painting)
Shortlisted, Create Design Award (Illustration)
Silver, Illustrator Australia Award

2008

Winner, Bank of Queensland Encouragement Award (Painting)

 

Selected Awards + Grants + Residencies


 
 
 
 
 


Solo Exhibitions

2024 Childhood Cheeks, Grown-Up Madness, Manningham Art Gallery
Invisible Playground, Vitrine Gallery, CRAFT VIC
2023 More Birthday Cake, SOL Gallery, Melbourne
2022 Adulthood, Alternative Current Space, Melbourne
2021 Macan, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2019 Between Somewhere, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2017 Garden Soul, Off The Kerb Gallery, Melbourne
2011 Girl & Animal, First Site Gallery, Melbourne

Selected Group Exhibitions

2024 The New Generation: Asian Heritage in Ceramics, Bunjil Place Gallery
Small Pleasures, Gallery Lowe and Lee, Sydney
Biodiversity, Galerie Im Schalterhaus, Mils, Austria
Divergence, Sol Gallery, Melbourne
Dragon Dream, Haengchon Art Museum, Haenam, South Korea
2023 Hornsby Art Prize, the Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, Hornsby, NSW
The Taste of Haenam, Daeheungsa, Haenam, South Korea
Immersed Mountains and Serene Waters, Mokpo Culture and Art Centre, South Korea
Muswellbrook Art Prize Exhibition, NSW
Gather|Together, Salamanca Arts Centre, Hobart, Tasmania
Welcome Home, Honey Bones Gallery
TRAILS Sculpture Prize, Portland CBD, South West Coast, VIC
Gems: So Far, Divisions Gallery at Pentridge, Melbourne
Senhwa (Black Rabbit), Haengchon Art Museum, South Korea
2022 Deckade, Backwoods Gallery, Melbourne
Local 2022, Outre Gallery, Melbourne
2021 Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
2021 KAAF Art Prize Award Exhibition, Sydney
2020 Time Change, RMUTT, Thanyaburi, Thailand
2019 Gong-jae & The Artists’ Self Portrait, Haengchon Art Museum, Korea
Femina Extravaganza, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2018 Illustrating Life III, Beijing, China
2015 Premio Combat, Museo Civico Giovanni Fattori ex Granai di Villa Mimbelli, Liverno, Italy
2013 4th Annual Belle Arti Prize, Chapman & Bailey Gallery, Melbourne
2012 Dino Wars, Jurassic Lounge, Australia Museum, Sydney
2011 Nursery Rhymes, Urban Cow Studio Gallery, Adelaide
2010 The Space that Measures Distance, Chinese Museum, Melbourne
Drawgasmic, The Mad Art Gallery, Saint Louis, USA
2008 A Walk of Art, The Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, Melbourne
Fifth Annual SNAP TO GRID, APWArts Gallery, Los Angeles
BRAngerous Women Art Exhibition, CCCL, Sby, ID
2007 Fine Art East Java 2007, Taman Budaya, Sby, ID
07 Joint, Busan, South Korea
Fine Art: Wanita (h), Gallery Surabaya, Sby, ID
Graphic Art Modern, Taman Budaya, Sby, ID

Public Art Works

2023 Coles South Melbourne, Melbourne - mural
2022 Lunar Banner (Tiger), Sydney Lunar Festival, City of Sydney
2021 Me and UooUoo: The RCH150 Anniversary Art Trail by The Royal Children's Foundation Hospital
2010-now Mural, private/ commercial commissions

Collections

Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection, Australia
Haengchon Cultural Art Foundation(ACAF), South Korea
Haenam Culture & Arts Centre, South Korea
Poh Chang Academy of Art, Bangkok, Thailand 
Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Thailand  
Private Collections: USA, Australia, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia 

Selected Press

2023 ABC Art-Works season.03 ep.12
2018 The artist creates fantasies that challenge women’s reality, Vice ID 
2018 Melbourne Art, Uppercase 36, magazine 
2017 Home Living, featured on The Herald Sun p.24-25, 30 
2016 An Obsession to Create, Tempo, March page 14-20 
2015 An Artist Called Nani, interview by Helen Brown 
2012 Book: Arbeitende Orte (German Edition) 
2011 Culture, Nylon Mag Ed.Dec p.64 
more press

Photos by Dotti Li, Nani Puspasari

 

Education


2010
Master of Fine Art, RMIT, Melbourne

2008
Master of Design (Communication), Swinburne, Melbourne

2003
Bachelor of Visual Communication Design, UKPetra, ID

 
 

Selected Awards + Grants + Residencies


2025

Residency, Shiragaki Ceramic Museum, Japan

2024

Finalist, (11th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Finalist, Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize
Finalist, North Queensland Ceramic Awards
Finalist, Emerging Artist Award 2024 by Fortyfivedownstairs

Residency, Raku - Symposium BIODIVERSITY, Mils, Tyrol, Habsburgs, Austria
Residency, RMUTT University, Thanyaburi, Thailand

2023

Sculpture Highly Commended, Hornsby Art Prize
Finalist, Muswellbrook Art Prize (Ceramic)
Finalist, Little Things Art Prize (Ceramic)
Finalist, TRAILS Sculpture Prize

Residency, SoYun Art Space, Haenam, South Korea
Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea

2021

Finalist, (8th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize

Grant, Sustaining Creative Workers initiative, RAV
Grant, Small Project Grants, City of Yarra


2020

Residency, 15th Arts Festival, Poh Chang Academy of Arts, Bangkok

Grant, National Assistance Program for the Arts, Sidney Myer Fund

2019

Merit, 3x3 International Illustration Award No.16

Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
Residency, RMUTI International Art Workshop 2019, Korat, Thailand

2018

Fine Art Prize, Japan Illustration Award

2017

Best of Best, Hiii Illustration Award (Commercial)

2016

Runners up, Creative Quarterly 46 (Illustration)

2015

Shortlisted, Premio Combat Prize (Graphic Arts)
Residency, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Bali, Indonesia

2013

Finalist, Lethbridge Art Award (Painting)
Shortlisted, Create Design Award (Illustration)
Silver, Illustrator Australia Award

2008

Winner, Bank of Queensland Encouragement Award (Painting)

 

Selected Awards + Grants + Residencies


 
 
 
 
 


Solo Exhibitions

2024 Childhood Cheeks, Grown-Up Madness, Manningham Art Gallery
Invisible Playground, Vitrine Gallery, CRAFT VIC
2023 More Birthday Cake, SOL Gallery, Melbourne
2022 Adulthood, Alternative Current Space, Melbourne
2021 Macan, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2019 Between Somewhere, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2017 Garden Soul, Off The Kerb Gallery, Melbourne
2011 Girl & Animal, First Site Gallery, Melbourne

Selected Group Exhibitions

2024 The New Generation: Asian Heritage in Ceramics, Bunjil Place Gallery
Small Pleasures, Gallery Lowe and Lee, Sydney
Biodiversity, Galerie Im Schalterhaus, Mils, Austria
Divergence, Sol Gallery, Melbourne
Dragon Dream, Haengchon Art Museum, Haenam, South Korea
2023 Hornsby Art Prize, the Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, Hornsby, NSW
The Taste of Haenam, Daeheungsa, Haenam, South Korea
Immersed Mountains and Serene Waters, Mokpo Culture and Art Centre, South Korea
Muswellbrook Art Prize Exhibition, NSW
Gather|Together, Salamanca Arts Centre, Hobart, Tasmania
Welcome Home, Honey Bones Gallery
TRAILS Sculpture Prize, Portland CBD, South West Coast, VIC
Gems: So Far, Divisions Gallery at Pentridge, Melbourne
Senhwa (Black Rabbit), Haengchon Art Museum, South Korea
2022 Deckade, Backwoods Gallery, Melbourne
Local 2022, Outre Gallery, Melbourne
2021 Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
2021 KAAF Art Prize Award Exhibition, Sydney
2020 Time Change, RMUTT, Thanyaburi, Thailand
2019 Gong-jae & The Artists’ Self Portrait, Haengchon Art Museum, Korea
Femina Extravaganza, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2018 Illustrating Life III, Beijing, China
2015 Premio Combat, Museo Civico Giovanni Fattori ex Granai di Villa Mimbelli, Liverno, Italy
2013 4th Annual Belle Arti Prize, Chapman & Bailey Gallery, Melbourne
2012 Dino Wars, Jurassic Lounge, Australia Museum, Sydney
2011 Nursery Rhymes, Urban Cow Studio Gallery, Adelaide
2010 The Space that Measures Distance, Chinese Museum, Melbourne
Drawgasmic, The Mad Art Gallery, Saint Louis, USA
2008 A Walk of Art, The Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, Melbourne
Fifth Annual SNAP TO GRID, APWArts Gallery, Los Angeles
BRAngerous Women Art Exhibition, CCCL, Sby, ID
2007 Fine Art East Java 2007, Taman Budaya, Sby, ID
07 Joint, Busan, South Korea
Fine Art: Wanita (h), Gallery Surabaya, Sby, ID
Graphic Art Modern, Taman Budaya, Sby, ID

Public Art Works

2023 Coles South Melbourne, Melbourne - mural
2022 Lunar Banner (Tiger), Sydney Lunar Festival, City of Sydney
2021 Me and UooUoo: The RCH150 Anniversary Art Trail by The Royal Children's Foundation Hospital
2010-now Mural, private/ commercial commissions

Collections

Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection, Australia
Haengchon Cultural Art Foundation(ACAF), South Korea
Haenam Culture & Arts Centre, South Korea
Poh Chang Academy of Art, Bangkok, Thailand 
Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Thailand  
Private Collections: USA, Australia, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia 

Selected Press

2023 ABC Art-Works season.03 ep.12
2018 The artist creates fantasies that challenge women’s reality, Vice ID 
2018 Melbourne Art, Uppercase 36, magazine 
2017 Home Living, featured on The Herald Sun p.24-25, 30 
2016 An Obsession to Create, Tempo, March page 14-20 
2015 An Artist Called Nani, interview by Helen Brown 
2012 Book: Arbeitende Orte (German Edition) 
2011 Culture, Nylon Mag Ed.Dec p.64 
more press

Photos by Dotti Li, Nani Puspasari

 
 

Nani Puspasari

Visual Artist & Illustrator
based in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia

Download CV

Contact
[email protected]
or contact form here

 

Artist Statement

Nani’s diverse artistic practice encompasses painting, graphics, installation, and ceramic sculpture, exploring the intersection of childhood memories, identity, migration, and cultural hybridity. Her work delves into emotions of innocence, anxiety, loss, and sorrow. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant colours and intricate patterns of traditional Asian art and the bold forms of Western art, her work engages with the complexities of cultural in influences.

 

Nani Puspasari
Chinese Indonesian-born Australian artist
based in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia

Education

2010 Master of Fine Art, RMIT, Melbourne
2008 Master of Design (Communication), Swinburne, Melbourne
2003 Bachelor of Visual Communication Design, UKPetra, ID

Selected Awards + Grants + Residencies

2024 Finalist, (11th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Finalist, Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize
Finalist, North Queensland Ceramic Awards
Finalist, Emerging Artist Award 2024 by Fortyfivedownstairs
Residency, Raku - Symposium BIODIVERSITY, Mils, Tyrol, Habsburgs, Austria
Residency, RMUTT University, Thanyaburi, Thailand
2023 Sculpture Highly Commended, Hornsby Art Prize
Finalist, Muswellbrook Art Prize (Ceramic)
Residency, SoYun Art Space, Haenam, South Korea
Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
Finalist, Little Things Art Prize (Ceramic)
Finalist, TRAILS Sculpture Prize
2021 Finalist, (8th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Grant, Sustaining Creative Workers initiative, RAV
Grant, Small Project Grants, City of Yarra
2020 Residency, 15th Arts Festival, Poh Chang Academy of Arts, Bangkok
Grant, National Assistance Program for the Arts, Sidney Myer Fund
2019 Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
Residency, RMUTI International Art Workshop 2019, Korat, Thailand
Merit, 3x3 International Illustration Award No.16
2018 Fine Art Prize, Japan Illustration Award
2017 Best of Best, Hiii Illustration Award (Commercial)
2016 Runners up, Creative Quarterly 46 (Illustration)
2015 Residency, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Bali, Indonesia
Shortlisted, Premio Combat Prize (Graphic Arts)
2013 Shortlisted, Create Design Award (Illustration)
Silver, Illustrator Australia Award
Finalist, Lethbridge Art Award (Painting)
2008 Winner, Bank of Queensland Encouragement Award (Painting)

Solo Exhibitions

2024 Childhood Cheeks, Grown-Up Madness, Manningham Art Gallery
Invisible Playground, Vitrine Gallery, CRAFT VIC
2023 More Birthday Cake, SOL Gallery, Melbourne
2022 Adulthood, Alternative Current Space, Melbourne
2021 Macan, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2019 Between Somewhere, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2017 Garden Soul, Off The Kerb Gallery, Melbourne
2011 Girl & Animal, First Site Gallery, Melbourne

Selected Group Exhibitions

2024 The New Generation: Asian Heritage in Ceramics, Bunjil Place Gallery
Small Pleasures, Gallery Lowe and Lee, Sydney
Biodiversity, Galerie Im Schalterhaus, Mils, Austria
Divergence, Sol Gallery, Melbourne
Dragon Dream, Haengchon Art Museum, Haenam, South Korea
2023 Hornsby Art Prize, the Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, Hornsby, NSW
The Taste of Haenam, Daeheungsa, Haenam, South Korea
Immersed Mountains and Serene Waters, Mokpo Culture and Art Centre, South Korea
Muswellbrook Art Prize Exhibition, NSW
Gather|Together, Salamanca Arts Centre, Hobart, Tasmania
Welcome Home, Honey Bones Gallery
TRAILS Sculpture Prize, Portland CBD, South West Coast, VIC
Gems: So Far, Divisions Gallery at Pentridge, Melbourne
Senhwa (Black Rabbit), Haengchon Art Museum, South Korea
2022 Deckade, Backwoods Gallery, Melbourne
Local 2022, Outre Gallery, Melbourne
2021 Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
2021 KAAF Art Prize Award Exhibition, Sydney
2020 Time Change, RMUTT, Thanyaburi, Thailand
2019 Gong-jae & The Artists’ Self Portrait, Haengchon Art Museum, Korea
Femina Extravaganza, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2018 Illustrating Life III, Beijing, China
2015 Premio Combat, Museo Civico Giovanni Fattori ex Granai di Villa Mimbelli, Liverno, Italy
2013 4th Annual Belle Arti Prize, Chapman & Bailey Gallery, Melbourne
2012 Dino Wars, Jurassic Lounge, Australia Museum, Sydney
2011 Nursery Rhymes, Urban Cow Studio Gallery, Adelaide
2010 The Space that Measures Distance, Chinese Museum, Melbourne
Drawgasmic, The Mad Art Gallery, Saint Louis, USA
2008 A Walk of Art, The Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, Melbourne
Fifth Annual SNAP TO GRID, APWArts Gallery, Los Angeles
BRAngerous Women Art Exhibition, CCCL, Sby, ID
2007 Fine Art East Java 2007, Taman Budaya, Sby, ID
07 Joint, Busan, South Korea
Fine Art: Wanita (h), Gallery Surabaya, Sby, ID
Graphic Art Modern, Taman Budaya, Sby, ID

Public Art Works

2023 Coles South Melbourne, Melbourne - mural
2022 Lunar Banner (Tiger), Sydney Lunar Festival, City of Sydney
2021 Me and UooUoo: The RCH150 Anniversary Art Trail by The Royal Children's Foundation Hospital
2010-now Mural, private/ commercial commissions

Collections

Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection, Australia
Haengchon Cultural Art Foundation(ACAF), South Korea
Haenam Culture & Arts Centre, South Korea
Poh Chang Academy of Art, Bangkok, Thailand 
Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Thailand  
Private Collections: USA, Australia, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia 

Selected Press

2023 ABC Art-Works season.03 ep.12
2018 The artist creates fantasies that challenge women’s reality, Vice ID 
2018 Melbourne Art, Uppercase 36, magazine 
2017 Home Living, featured on The Herald Sun p.24-25, 30 
2016 An Obsession to Create, Tempo, March page 14-20 
2015 An Artist Called Nani, interview by Helen Brown 
2012 Book: Arbeitende Orte (German Edition) 
2011 Culture, Nylon Mag Ed.Dec p.64 
more press

Photos by Dotti Li, Nani Puspasari

 
 

Nani Puspasari

Visual Artist & Illustrator
based in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia

Download CV

Contact
[email protected]
or contact form here

 

Artist Statement

Nani’s diverse artistic practice encompasses painting, graphics, installation, and ceramic sculpture, exploring the intersection of childhood memories, identity, migration, and cultural hybridity. Her work delves into emotions of innocence, anxiety, loss, and sorrow. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant colours and intricate patterns of traditional Asian art and the bold forms of Western art, her work engages with the complexities of cultural in influences.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Nani Puspasari
Chinese Indonesian-born Australian artist
based in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia

Education

2010 Master of Fine Art, RMIT, Melbourne
2008 Master of Design (Communication), Swinburne, Melbourne
2003 Bachelor of Visual Communication Design, UKPetra, ID

Selected Awards + Grants + Residencies

2024 Finalist, (11th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Finalist, Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize
Finalist, North Queensland Ceramic Awards
Finalist, Emerging Artist Award 2024 by Fortyfivedownstairs
Residency, Raku - Symposium BIODIVERSITY, Mils, Tyrol, Habsburgs, Austria
Residency, RMUTT University, Thanyaburi, Thailand
2023 Sculpture Highly Commended, Hornsby Art Prize
Finalist, Muswellbrook Art Prize (Ceramic)
Residency, SoYun Art Space, Haenam, South Korea
Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
Finalist, Little Things Art Prize (Ceramic)
Finalist, TRAILS Sculpture Prize
2021 Finalist, (8th) The Korea-Australia Arts Foundation Prize
Grant, Sustaining Creative Workers initiative, RAV
Grant, Small Project Grants, City of Yarra
2020 Residency, 15th Arts Festival, Poh Chang Academy of Arts, Bangkok
Grant, National Assistance Program for the Arts, Sidney Myer Fund
2019 Residency, Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
Residency, RMUTI International Art Workshop 2019, Korat, Thailand
Merit, 3x3 International Illustration Award No.16
2018 Fine Art Prize, Japan Illustration Award
2017 Best of Best, Hiii Illustration Award (Commercial)
2016 Runners up, Creative Quarterly 46 (Illustration)
2015 Residency, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Bali, Indonesia
Shortlisted, Premio Combat Prize (Graphic Arts)
2013 Shortlisted, Create Design Award (Illustration)
Silver, Illustrator Australia Award
Finalist, Lethbridge Art Award (Painting)
2008 Winner, Bank of Queensland Encouragement Award (Painting)

Solo Exhibitions

2024 Childhood Cheeks, Grown-Up Madness, Manningham Art Gallery
Invisible Playground, Vitrine Gallery, CRAFT VIC
2023 More Birthday Cake, SOL Gallery, Melbourne
2022 Adulthood, Alternative Current Space, Melbourne
2021 Macan, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2019 Between Somewhere, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2017 Garden Soul, Off The Kerb Gallery, Melbourne
2011 Girl & Animal, First Site Gallery, Melbourne

Selected Group Exhibitions

2024 The New Generation: Asian Heritage in Ceramics, Bunjil Place Gallery
Small Pleasures, Gallery Lowe and Lee, Sydney
Biodiversity, Galerie Im Schalterhaus, Mils, Austria
Divergence, Sol Gallery, Melbourne
Dragon Dream, Haengchon Art Museum, Haenam, South Korea
2023 Hornsby Art Prize, the Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, Hornsby, NSW
The Taste of Haenam, Daeheungsa, Haenam, South Korea
Immersed Mountains and Serene Waters, Mokpo Culture and Art Centre, South Korea
Muswellbrook Art Prize Exhibition, NSW
Gather|Together, Salamanca Arts Centre, Hobart, Tasmania
Welcome Home, Honey Bones Gallery
TRAILS Sculpture Prize, Portland CBD, South West Coast, VIC
Gems: So Far, Divisions Gallery at Pentridge, Melbourne
Senhwa (Black Rabbit), Haengchon Art Museum, South Korea
2022 Deckade, Backwoods Gallery, Melbourne
Local 2022, Outre Gallery, Melbourne
2021 Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea
2021 KAAF Art Prize Award Exhibition, Sydney
2020 Time Change, RMUTT, Thanyaburi, Thailand
2019 Gong-jae & The Artists’ Self Portrait, Haengchon Art Museum, Korea
Femina Extravaganza, Black Cat Gallery, Melbourne
2018 Illustrating Life III, Beijing, China
2015 Premio Combat, Museo Civico Giovanni Fattori ex Granai di Villa Mimbelli, Liverno, Italy
2013 4th Annual Belle Arti Prize, Chapman & Bailey Gallery, Melbourne
2012 Dino Wars, Jurassic Lounge, Australia Museum, Sydney
2011 Nursery Rhymes, Urban Cow Studio Gallery, Adelaide
2010 The Space that Measures Distance, Chinese Museum, Melbourne
Drawgasmic, The Mad Art Gallery, Saint Louis, USA
2008 A Walk of Art, The Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, Melbourne
Fifth Annual SNAP TO GRID, APWArts Gallery, Los Angeles
BRAngerous Women Art Exhibition, CCCL, Sby, ID
2007 Fine Art East Java 2007, Taman Budaya, Sby, ID
07 Joint, Busan, South Korea
Fine Art: Wanita (h), Gallery Surabaya, Sby, ID
Graphic Art Modern, Taman Budaya, Sby, ID

Public Art Works

2023 Coles South Melbourne, Melbourne - mural
2022 Lunar Banner (Tiger), Sydney Lunar Festival, City of Sydney
2021 Me and UooUoo: The RCH150 Anniversary Art Trail by The Royal Children's Foundation Hospital
2010-now Mural, private/ commercial commissions

Collections

Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection, Australia
Haengchon Cultural Art Foundation(ACAF), South Korea
Haenam Culture & Arts Centre, South Korea
Poh Chang Academy of Art, Bangkok, Thailand 
Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Thailand  
Private Collections: USA, Australia, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia 

Selected Press

2023 ABC Art-Works season.03 ep.12
2018 The artist creates fantasies that challenge women’s reality, Vice ID 
2018 Melbourne Art, Uppercase 36, magazine 
2017 Home Living, featured on The Herald Sun p.24-25, 30 
2016 An Obsession to Create, Tempo, March page 14-20 
2015 An Artist Called Nani, interview by Helen Brown 
2012 Book: Arbeitende Orte (German Edition) 
2011 Culture, Nylon Mag Ed.Dec p.64 
more press

Photos by Dotti Li, Nani Puspasari