Valdene’s work examines the formation and transmission of memories borne from long-term personal relationships, and investigates how these memories are embedded in the materiality of objects that are affected by time and place. Her practice explores the role of the artist as facilitator, engineering parameters and circumstances that allow materials and elements to impact upon each other. Each work records the circumstances of a particular interaction. In this process, she is forced to accept the changes of any marks made, and use them as a basis for further interventions. Valdene’s practice encompasses explorations of sculpture, drawing, painting and video; and is heavily informed by traditional printmaking processes.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE ARTS
2018 Master of Fine Arts, University of Western Australia
2013 First Class Honours in Fine Arts, University of Western Australia
2012 Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Western Australia
1999 Diploma of Fine Arts, Central Metropolitan TAFE/Claremont Art School
AWARDS
2015 Margaret and Herbert Horsfall Memorial Bursary
2015 Western Australian uniVARS Postgraduate representative, Mildura Palimpsest #10
2014 Australian Postgraduate Award and UWA Safety Net Top-Up Scholarship
2013 Hackett Foundation Alumni Honours Scholarship (UWA)
2013 Mossenson Galleries Prize for Creativity
RESIDENCIES AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS
2019 Apr-May, Juluwarlu Aboriginal Corporation, Yindjibarndi community, Roebourne, WA
2018 Apr-July, Moodich Yorga Yudarn Yarns, NAIDOC week project, Albany WA
2015 Sept-Oct, Mildura, Victoria
2015 July, Mullewa, Western Australia
2015 Mar-April, Vancouver Art Centre, Albany WA
2014 November Mullewa, WA
2014 Aug-Oct, Guildford Grammar School, Perth
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2016 The Matter of Mutual Memory, Masters Exhibition, Cullity Gallery, UWA
2011 Time ... Tide, Freerange Gallery, Perth
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 Fables, Foibles and Folktales, Lost Eden Gallery, Dwellingup, WA
2024 Fables, Foibles and Folktales, Shipwrecks Museum, Fremantle, WA
2022 WAFTA 25+ Crossover, Holmes à Court Gallery @ no. 10, West Perth
2022 Unique States, Holmes à Court Gallery, Vasse Felix, Cowaramup, WA
2020 Hanging by a Thread, Holmes à Court Gallery @ no. 10, West Perth
2016 Mamang Koort – Heart of the Whale, Great Southern Perth International Arts Festival,
Vancouver Arts Centre, Albany, WA
2015 Work from the Wilkinsons, Mildura Palimpsest #10, Mildura, Vic 2015
2015 Mullewa Agricultural Show, Mullewa
2014 HATCHED: National Graduate Show, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, Northbridge, WA
2014 Worth its Weight in Gold, Moana Project Space, Perth
2013 The Matter of Memory, Honours Exhibition, Cullity Gallery, UWA
2012 Graduate Exhibition, Cullity Gallery, UWA
1999 Graduate Exhibition, Central Metropolitan TAFE, Perth
1997 Fremantle Print Awards, finalist, Fremantle Arts Centre