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Vanessa Harper-Mathews is an Australian photographer and visual artist whose work explores the layered relationships and intersections between place, memory, time and human experience. With a fluid use of fine art, documentary and conceptual photography, her practice spans diverse themes, including the Anthropocene, cultural identity, and the unseen threads that connect people to their environments.

 

Vanessa holds a Master’s of Documentary Photography (2010, University of Sydney) and a Graduate Diploma in Art History (2013, University of Adelaide). Her expertise in historical photographic printing methods, combined with contemporary digital and analogue practices, forms the foundation of her distinctive visual language. Professional development in Europe and the United States has further enriched her approach, blending multimedia storytelling with a deep understanding of photographic traditions.

 

Her photography has been awarded and exhibited globally, published widely, and is held in private collections and institutional archives. Alongside her personal projects, Vanessa collaborates with non-profit organisations to tell impactful stories through social documentary photography.

 

Vanessa’s projects often reflect her curiosity for shifting cultural landscapes, the preservation of collective memory, and the beauty of the everyday. Whether capturing the resilience of individuals or exploring the boundaries between the natural and human-made worlds, her images aim to foster connection and understanding through visual enquiry.

 

Based in Australia, alongside her fine arts practice, Vanessa is a freelance photographer available for documentary, travel, and editorial commissions, and collaborations with a particular focus on luxury travel, cultural storytelling, and visual asset development. Commercial portfolios are available upon request.

 

Photographic archival prints are also available by request.

​​​BIO

EDUCATION 

2017     Master of Science, Coaching Psychology, Sydney University, Australia

2013     Graduate Diploma in Art History, University of Adelaide, SA, Australia

2010     Master of Documentary Photography  Sydney College of the Arts, Sydney University, Australia

2006     Master Business Administration (MBA), Charles Sturt University, Australia

2001     Graduate Certificate Safety/Risk Sciences, University of NSW, Australia

2000     Bachelor Adult Education, University Western Sydney

 

EXHIBITIONS/ RESIDENCIES/ WORKSHOPS
2024     Masterclass                Magnum Photos & Fujifilm Masterclass in Contemporary Image Making, Seoul, South Korea​ (by selection)

2023     Residency                  The Scuola Internazionale di Grafica di Venezia, Venice, Italy

2019     Residency                  Chateau Orquevaux (recipient of the Denis Diderot Grant), Orquevaux, France

2021     Group Exhibition          Birds, Gallery 3, Byron Bay, NSW

 

2018     Solo Exhibition             Bella Venezia Gold Street Studios, Trentham, Victoria, Australia

 

2017     Group Exhibition           Another Possibility, Dali International Photography Exhibition, Dali, China 

2017     Group Exhibition           Maggie Diaz Photographic Award for Women Finalist Exhibition Space galleries,

                                              Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

 

2016     Group Exhibition           Shades of Blue Contemporary Cyanotypes, Potter Gallery, Missouri Western State University

 

2012     Group Exhibition           State of Art Gallery, Hong Kong

 

2012     Group Exhibition           International Art Festival, Museum of Russian Art, Jersey City, NJ, USA

 

2012     Group Exhibition           Pro'jekt LA, MOPLA, (Month of Photography Los Angeles) Chop House, California, USA

 

2012     Solo Exhibition              All Roads Lead to Isis & Beautiful Carnival, Brunswick Street Galleries, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

 

2012     Solo Exhibition              Beautiful Carnival, ArtHouse, Sydney, NSW, Australia

 

2011     Group Exhibition           SCA, Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, NSW, Australia

 

2010     Group Exhibition           Graduate Exhibition Sydney College of Arts, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia         

 

AWARDS / PRIZES

2025     Anthology Magazine                                         Shortlisted & Awarded  Honourable Mention for the Anthology International Poetry Prize

 

2024.    Vienna International Photo Awards 2024               Honourable Mention, 'Our World’ 

 

2024     The Australian Photography Landscape Awards       5 Individual Awards - Highly Commended/Commended 

2024     The Australian Photography Mono Awards             Commended, “People” Category

 

2018     Fleurieu Biennale Art Prize                               Finalist

 

2017     Maggie Diaz Photographic Award for Women       1st place, Finalist (across multiple categories)

2013     5th Edition Julia Margaret Cameron Awards           Finalist, (Cityscape & Street Photography)

 

2013     5th Pollux Awards                                             1st place, 3rd place & finalist, Alternative, 2nd place, finalist, Still Life

 

2012     International Art Festival                                      1st place + finalist, Alternative Photography

 

2012     Creative Asia Photography Awards                      Gold Award, Illustrative

 

2012     2nd International Donkey Art Prize                        Finalist, Photography & Digital Media

 

2012     Pro'jekt LA, MOPLA,                                          Finalist 

           

2011     The International Loupe Awards                           Bronze, Abstract / Illustrative Category

 

2011     The International Loupe Awards                           Bronze, People & Portrait Category

 

2009     Silvershotz International Journal of Contemporary Photography,2009,  International Folio Finalist

 

PUBLICATIONS (SELECTED)

2019     Art Edit Magazine #22

 

2018     The Hand Magazine

2017     The Hand Magazine                                                

 

2016     The Hand Magazine                                               

 

2011     Exposure                                                                 

 

2010     Photofile Issue 90                                                   

 

2010     Photofile Issue 91                                                   

 

2010     Broadsheet Contemporary Visual Arts & Culture Vol 39.3 September 2011       

 

2009     Silvershotz International Journal of Contemporary Photography 

 

 

 

I respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where I live, work and create, the Arakwal People of the Bundjalung Nation and pay my respects to Elders past, present. 

May we tread lightly as we walk together in this sacred land, guided by the wisdom and teachings of the Bundjalung people, as we strive to capture and share the beauty of this Country through our photography.

©Vanessa Harper-Mathews- all rights reserved 

All images, artwork, images of artwork and writings on this website or on any social media site, other websites or published material connected to Vanessa Harper-Mathews are the sole property of Vanessa Harper-Mathews and are not to be used or reproduced without permission from her for profit, personal or commercial use/gain in any way. This includes all rights to all images/works including commissioned/sold works and means that she owns the right to make reproductions or prints of any artworks at any time. 

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