About
Alexander Sarsfield is a Māori artist and provisional psychologist of Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Hako descent. He was born on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country (Canberra). His multidisciplinary practice encompasses textile sculpture, ceramics, traditional Māori modes of making, and slightly less conventional forms of performance. Working between a community and research-based approach, Alex tends to investigate themes of interpersonal relationships and sociocultural identity. Both within and beyond his practice, currently based in Naarm, he focuses on the seemingly mundane and considers the subtleties of everyday interactions.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
Current Master of Professional Psychology, University of Melbourne
2024 Te Pōkaitahi Reo (Kaupae 5 & 6), Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi
2023 Bachelor of Visual Arts and Bachelor of Science (Psychology), Australian National University
Awards and Prizes
2023 Main prize, M16 Artspace Drawing Prize 2023, ACT
2023 The Local Artist Award, M16 Artspace Drawing Prize 2023, ACT
2023 Craft + Design Canberra Emerging Contemporaries Award, ANU School of Art and Design, ACT
2023 Goulburn Regional Art Gallery Exhibition Award, ANU School of Art and Design, ACT
2023 Art Monthly Australasia Subscription Award, ANU School of Art and Design, ACT
2023 Tuggeranong Arts Centre Exhibition Award, ANU School of Art and Design, ACT
2017 First prize for Innovation and Execution, ANU Blueprint Design Showcase, ACT
Selected Exhibitions
2026 Traces, Tuggeranong Arts Centre, ACT
2025 Paradise* Canberra Contemporary, ACT
2024 Buugang Gilang, Australian National University, ACT
2024 English Breakfast, Goulbourn Regional Art Gallery, NSW
2024 Emerging Contemporaries, Craft and Design Canberra, ACT
2023 School of Art and Design Graduating Exhibition, Australian National University, ACT
2023 M16 Artspace Drawing Prize 2023, M16 Artspace, ACT
2023 ANU School of Art and Design Drawing Prize, ANU SoAD Gallery, ACT
2023 Sensory Bodies, M16 Art Space, ACT
2022 Safe Scenes, Gorman Arts Centre, ACT
2022 Nestings, Tributary Projects, ACT
2021 Artists' Book Showcase, Intermission Gallery, VIC
2020 Beyond, Belconnen Arts Centre, ACT
2019 Box, Monash University, VIC
2019 Small Works Art Prize, Brunswick St Gallery, VIC
2019 Artist Meet and Greet, Saint Charlie Bar, VIC
2017 Inner North Art Prize, The Front Gallery and Cafe, ACT
2017 In Bloom: The Art of Becoming, 107 Projects, NSW
2017 ANU Blueprint Design Showcase, Australian National University, ACT
Published Work, Commissions and Grants
2024 Submission to Pūhia: journal for Māori art and literature (issue 2), p46, Māori Lit Blog, Auckland Aotearoa
2023 Submission to Bossy(ed.9 Vestige), p50, Māori Lit Blog, The ANU Women’s Department Magazine, ACT
2022 Submission to Queer Masculinities Zine (issue 1), DEiFY Canberra, ACT
2022 Commission for Capital of Equity Strategy Second Action Plan, Office of LGBTIQ Affairs, ACT>
2021 Commission for ANU BIPOC Department, ACT
2017 Grant for In Bloom: The Art of Becoming, Heaps Gay & Trans Sydney Pride, NSW
2017 Illustration for Narrabundah College
2017 Commission for Aeon Academy, ACT