SUMMARY
Will Nolan is an Australian artist known for his range of contemporary photographic works. Born in Tarntanya/Adelaide in 1979, the artist is concerned with exploring the limits of photography as a medium.
His oeuvre is characterised by a keen interest in pushing the boundaries of traditional photographic genres, particularly still life and portraiture. Through these classical forms, Nolan attempts to challenge and redefine the very essence of photography, transcending its conventional constraints. He employs techniques such as collage and installation, techniques typically associated with other artistic disciplines, to reimagine the possibilities of photography in a modern context. By blending elements of different mediums, Nolan creates engaging visual experiences that compel viewers to reconsider their relationship with images in an era saturated with visual stimuli.
Through his process and innovative use of materials, techniques, and subject matter, Will Nolan continues to challenge conventions and expand the horizons of photographic art. His work serves as a reflection on the evolving role of photography in contemporary society, inviting audiences to contemplate the complexities of perception, memory, and representation.
Will Nolan studied photography at North Adelaide School of Art, RMIT Melbourne and completed his studies at University of South Australia in 2008. Nolan has exhibited in a variety of spaces including solo exhibitions at Galerie Pompom (NSW), CACSA (SA), FELT Space (SA) alongside group exhibitions Neoteric (SA), MOP Projects (NSW), Brenda May Gallery (NSW) and Benalla Art Gallery (VIC).
Nolan has been short-listed in the Bowness Photography Prize, Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award and Olive Cotton Photographic Prize. His artworks have been published in magazines, including Art Monthly in Australia, Esquire in Russia and Kunstbeeld in the Netherlands.
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
2008 Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) South Australia School of Art, University of South Australia.
2007 Bachelor of Visual Arts (Photography) South Australia School of Art, University of South Australia.
2002 Diploma of Arts (Applied Photography) RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC
1999 Studied at North Adelaide School of Art, Adelaide, SA SOLO
EXHIBITIONS
2024
Conversations: Selected artworks from 1998 to 2023, Hahndorf Academy, Hahndorf, SA
2022
A Reference to Crossing Over, Duo show with Tom Borgas, Post Office Projects, Adelaide, SA
2020
Deep Sea Diving, Galerie Pompom, Sydney, NSW
2018
CUT, Unley Museum, Adelaide, SA
2015
I’m Here For You, CACSA, Adelaide, SA
2014
Where to Now, Edmund Pearce, Melbourne, VIC
Where to Now, Felt Space, Adelaide, SA
2010
Everything is Melting, Helen Gory Galerie, Melbourne, VIC
Everything is Melting, AP Bond Contemporary & Aboriginal Art, Adelaide, SA
2009
To Be of Use, Gallery 139, Adelaide, SA
2008
Trace Elements, Gallery 139, Adelaide, SA
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2022
Neoteric, Adelaide Railway Station Concourse, Adelaide, SA
Embedded, Adelaide Town Hall, Adelaide, SA
2021
150, Unley Museum, Adelaide, SA
2020
Et al. Galerie Pompom, Sydney, NSW
2019
The Summer Painting Show- ‘Colour came out of the future’, Fontanelle, Adelaide, SA
2018
Remain in Light, Galerie Pompom, Sydney, NSW
The Churchie, Emerging Art Prize, QUT Art Museum, Brisbane, QLD
Synergies, Photo Access, Canberra, ACT
Looking but Not Seeing, Curated by Kiron Robinson, Benalla Art Gallery, VIC
2017
Bowness Photography Prize, Monash Gallery of Art, VIC
2016
Even Still, Adelaide Town Hall, Adelaide, SA
2015
Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photo Award, The Arts Centre Gold Coast, Gold Coast, QLD
Transit: Pictures A Hotel Lobby, Level One Gallery, Adelaide, SA
Colour Me, Adelaide Town Hall, Adelaide, SA
Third Space, Light Square Gallery, Adelaide, SA
2013
Full Spectrum, Touring for Country Arts SA for 2 years to 13 Regional Galleries.
Unexpected Encounters, Light Square Gallery, Adelaide, SA
2012
Objectified, SASA Gallery, Adelaide, SA
Art + Food: Beyond the Still Life, Brenda May Gallery, Sydney, NSW
2011
Full Spectrum, Light Square Gallery, Adelaide, SA
Undercurrent: Before Today, Sawtooth ARI, Launceston, TAS
2010
Undercurrent, MOP, Sydney, NSW
2009
Inside the Stockroom, Australian Commercial Galleries Association (ACGA), Federation Square, VIC
Little Treasures, Helen Gory Galerie, Melbourne, VIC
Loreto Spring Art, Marryatville Adelaide, SA
Territory, Cross Cultural Art Exchange, Darwin, NT
Off The Wall, Melbourne Art fair, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne, VIC
Helpmann Graduation Exhibition, Drill Hall, Adelaide, SA
2008
Freefall, University of South Australia Grad Show, South Australian School of Art, Adelaide, SA
Untitled, Gallery 139, Adelaide, SA
Undercurrent: Underlying Landscapes, Kerry Packer Civic Gallery, Adelaide, SA
The Olive Cotton Award 2008, Tweed River Art Gallery, Murwillumbah, NSW
Helpmann Graduation Exhibition, Drill Hall, Adelaide, SA
2007
Puncture, University of South Australia Grad Show, South Australian School of Art, Adelaide, SA
Tender is the night, South Australian School of Art, Adelaide, SA
Foundation Front, Helpmann Academy end of year exhibition, Adelaide SA
Undercurrent, Queensland Centre of Photography, Brisbane, QLD Undercurrent, Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA
ARTS INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES
2016-22
Head of Photography at the Adelaide College of the Arts, TAFE SA and adjunct lecturer at Flinders University.
2008-16
Lecturer in Photography at the Adelaide College of the Arts, TAFE SA and adjunct lecturer at Flinders University.
2012-13
Lecturer in Photography at the Department of Art, Architecture and Design at the University of South Australia
AWARDS/GRANTS
2020
Awarded Arts SA Project Development Funding, Galerie Pompom,
2018
Finalist in the The Churchie Emerging Art Prize, QUT Art Museum, Brisbane, QLD
2017
Finalist in the William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize, Monash Gallery of Art, VIC
2015
Finalist in the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award, The Arts Centre Gold Coast, Gold Coast, QLD
2013
Awarded Arts SA Emerging Artist Mentorship Funding
2011
Awarded Arts SA Project Development Funding, Full Spectrum
2010
Awarded Arts SA Project Development Funding, Undercurrent
2009
Selected for the Off The Wall, Affordable Melbourne Art fair, Carlton, VIC
2008
Selected for the Helpmann Academy Graduate Exhibition
Finalist in The Olive Cotton Award 2008, Tweed River Art Gallery, Murwillumbah, NSW
Awarded Arts SA Grant, Last minute presentation, Trace Elements
2007
Deborah Paauwe Award for excellence in photography, South Australia School of Art, University of South Australia.
Selected for the Helpmann Academy Graduate Exhibition Helpmann Academy
Project Grant – Exhibition at Queensland Centre of Photography
COLLECTIONS
Many of Will Nolan’s images have been acquired by Artbank and are also held and loved in numerous private collections.