Michael Peck participates in a project of world making, creating spaces so intimate that the viewer cannot help but to feel as if they have stumbled upon a scene not meant for their eyes. There is an uncanny ambiguity as to the intent of his child subjects. The intensity of their concentration is mesmerising but the question lingers: are they innocents engaged in the imaginary games of childhood or survivalists adapting to a world without adult supervision and denied the luxury of play? Peck’s works embody a photographic stillness suggesting a caught moment in the midst of flurried action. There is a calm that belies the activity within, children’s hands, birds’ wings and flowing creeks all temporarily stilled. The artist’s works raise questions about childhood and innocence, about the relationship between culture and nature and progress and conflict. The beauty lies in the absence of a clear answer, the works open up a plethora of possibilities and leave the audience the freedom to seek their own answers.
Education
1977
Born in Melbourne, Victoria
1996-8
Bachelor of Fine Art (painting), Monash University
1999-2000
Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours), Monash University
2001
Graduate Diploma in education, Melbourne University
2013
Visual Arts Program Leader, Academy of Design, Melbourne, Australia
2013
Self- Employed Artist
2012
Sessional Lecturer, Academy of Design, Australia. Melbourne, Australia
2010 – 2012
Self- Employed Artist
2004-2010
Full time VCE art and design teacher. Mount Evelyn Christian School, Victoria
2002-2003
Full time GCSE art and design teacher, Rokeby School, Stratford, London
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2013
Love & Fear, Metro Gallery, VIC, Australia
2011
The Landing, Metro Gallery, VIC, Australia
2010
It’s Not that it Burns, Dickerson Gallery, NSW, Australia
This May Hurt, Metro Gallery, VIC, Australia
2009
Michael Peck 2009, Metro Gallery, VIC, Australia
2008
Michael Peck 2008, Metro 5 Gallery, VIC, Australia
2006
Somewhere Culture, Metro 5 Gallery, VIC, Australia
2002
Influence, Gallery 101, VIC, Australia
2000
Subtle Shadings of an inherited way of life, Gallery 101, VIC, Australia
Selected Group Shows
2013
Studio artists group show, Paradise Hills, VIC, Australia
So Long, My Forebear, Paradise Hills, VIC, Australia
Another Time, Another Place, Metro Gallery, VIC, Australia
Shades, Corey Helford Gallery, Culver City, CA, USA
Art Collector Starter Kit, Corey Helford Gallery, Culver City, CA, USA
Wider Than A Postcard. Breeze Block Gallery, Portland, OR, USA
2012
Namatjira Project, South Australian Museum, SA, Australia
Melbourne’s Burning, Paradise Hills, VIC, Australia
Climate Change, Metro Gallery, Climate Change, Melbourne
2011
You’re Welcome, MARS gallery, VIC, Australia
High Definition II, Ausin Tung Gallery, VIC, Australia
High Definition, Paradise Hills Gallery, VIC, Australia
2010
Paradise Hills Gallery Launch, VIC, Australia
Group Drawing Show, Yarra Sculpture Gallery, VIC, Australia
Blender Artists Group show, Off the Kerb Gallery, VIC, Australia
2009
Line, Drawing Group show, Mailbox Exhibition Space, VIC, Australia
May – June, Selected artists, Dickerson Gallery, NSW, Australia
2008
Small gems, Metro Gallery, VIC, Australia
2007
Small gems, Metro 5 Gallery, VIC, Australia
Square, Gallery 101, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
2000
Melbourne Art Fair, VIC, Australia
1999
Panorama: Six emerging Melbourne artists, Gallery 101, VIC, Australia
Review- Curators choice, Gallery 101, VIC, Australia
1998
Impact- art for a world Identity, Monash University Gallery, VIC, Australia
Where are we Now, Gallery 5, VIC, Australia
Awards and Recognition
2013
Winner for the People’s Choice Nillumbik Art Prize, VIC, Australia
Finalist for Tattersall’s Landscape Art Prize, QLD, Australia
Finalist for the Black Swan Portraiture Art Prize, WA, Australia
Finalist for the Nillumbik Art Prize, VIC, Australia
Finalist for the Sulman prize, AGNSW, NSW, Australia
2012
Finalist and awarded highly commended, Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, NSW,Australia
Finalist for the Archibald Prize, AGNSW, NSW, Australia
2011
Finalist for the Archibald Prize Salon Des Refuse, NSW, Australia
2010
Finalist for the Dobell Drawing prize, The gallery of New South Wales, NSW, Australia
2005
Finalist for Metro 5 Award, VIC, Australia
2002
Finalist for City of Hobart Art Prize, TAS, Australia
1998
Winner National Gallery of Victoria Trustees award, VIC, Australia
1999, 1998, 1997, 1996
Shortlisted for Lucato Prize, Monash University, VIC, Australia
1996
Awarded most prominent first year painter, Monash University, VIC, Australia
Collections
Monash University
Melbourne Publishing Company
Victoria Racing Club
Flemington Private collections in Australia, London, NewYork and Hong Kong
Open Tuesday - Friday 11am - 6pm
Saturday - 11am -5pm
