About Me
Born in Perth and raised on farms in the WA wheatbelt, Peta's upbringing provided her with a unique blend of rural and urban experiences that continue to influence her work. The family trips across Australia as a child inspired her love of Geography, place and exploration.
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As an artist with a background in Cartography, Peta is captivated by the beauty of aerial views, often drawing upon her expertise to inform her creative process. Her diverse skill set as a multidisciplinary artist allows her to explore the complexity and interconnectedness of our world through various mediums, including photography, painting, drawing, and sculpture. Each piece she creates offers a fresh perspective, showcasing the richness and diversity of her creativity.
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What sets Peta's work apart is her experience having Aphantasia, a condition that prevents her from visualising images in her mind's eye and being unable to relive past experiences. Despite this challenge, Peta has developed a unique approach to connecting with and interpreting the world around her, translating her perceptions into compelling visual representations. You can read more about her journey and how she overcame challenges at university by clicking here.
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Peta's art invites viewers to see the world differently, encouraging a pause for reflection and a deeper engagement with our surroundings. Her interest in aerial views was expressed during the Melbourne lockdowns of 2020-21, where she began photographing footpaths during her daily walks. These images reveal the often-overlooked beauty of the natural world from a unique perspective.
Armed with just her iPhone, Peta captures the intricate shapes and patterns that emerge from the interplay between human and natural forces, highlighting the subtle marks we leave on our environment. Her photographs not only showcase her creativity but also serve as a reminder that art can be found in the most mundane aspects of life, and that curiosity lies at the heart of every artistic endeavour.
Education
2021-2024
Fine Art Degree, with distinction
Curtin University, WA
1988-1993
Diploma in Cartography
Wembley TAFE WA
During the three years of full-time study I received several Letters of Commendation and was included on the Vice Chancellor's list for academic excellence.
A comprensive Diploma involving the process of map mapping, land registration and mathematics involved in the Cartographic and Surveying industries.
Awards, Prizes and Achievements
2024
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Letter of Commendation for Academic recognition - Curtin University
Achieving 98% for final project in Fine Arts - Curtin University
​2023
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Letter of Commendation for Academic recognition - Curtin University
Membership to Vice Chancellors List - Curtin University
Finalist - Maldon Landscape Prize
Finalist - Biblio Art Prize - Port Fairy
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2022
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Letter of Commendation for Academic recognition - Curtin University
Finalist - Mission to Seafarers Art Prize - Melbourne
Finalist - Biblio Art Prize - Port Fairy
Academic Excellence Award - Curtin University
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2020
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Finalist - Biblio Art Prize
Peoples Choice Award Winner - Southern Buoy Studios Landscape Prize
Finalist - Southern Buoy Studios Landscape Prize
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2019
Founded MAVA Inc (Melbourne and Victorian Artists)
Exhibitions
2024
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Linden Postcard Show - St Kilda
Biennale of Colour and Light - West End Art Space- West Melbourne
Seeing is Believing - Quadrant Gallery - Hawthorn​​
​2023
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Maldon Landscape Prize - Edge Galleries - Maldon
Biblio Art Prize - Port Fairy
Art That Transforms - Quadrant Gallery - Hawthorn
Linden New Art Postcard Show - Linden New ART- St Kilda
EGAG WRAP Small Artworks Prize - East Gippsland Art Gallery - Bairnsdale
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2022
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REDROSPECTIVE - Red Gallery - Fitzroy North
WOMEN* NOW Exhibition - Queen Victoria Women Centre - Melbourne
Mission to Sea Farer's Art Prize 2022
Kenneth Jack Memorial Drawing Prize - AGRA, Camberwell
2021
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At Sea - Southern Buoy, Mornington
SBS Landscape Prize - Southern Buoy, Mornington
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2020
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You Are Here - International Online Exhibition
STRUCTURE - in.cube8r, 321 Smith Street, Fitzroy
Passage of Time - AGRA Gallery, Camberwell
Stockland International Women's Day - Pines Shopping Centre, Doncaster East
Frida - Mream Studios - Maidstone
2019
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Manifest - 345AC Gallery, Mont Albert
Linden New Art Postcard Show - St Kilda
SMALL - Group Exhibition - Forty Five Downstairs
VCA Short Courses Exhibition - Artspace VCA, Southbank
VAS Portrait - Melbourne
Vitroform – Lord Coconut, Melbourne
Walk In The Park – Manningham Gallery
Urban Tropes – Solo Exhibition – Art at St Francis, Melbourne
Well Red - Mream Studios - Maidstone
Two Cents Worth – No Vacancy Gallery
smART – Track Gallery, Mount Waverley
Square-Circle? - Black Cat Gallery, Collingwood
2018
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Linden New Art Postcard Show – St Kilda
SMALL – Fortyfive Downstairs - Melbourne
Works on Paper – Orange, NSW
Not To Scale: Mapping Memories in Colour - Solo Exhibition - The Stockroom - Ringwood
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2017
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c ART ographic -Solo Exhibition - Brunswick Street Gallery, Fitzroy
2016
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Pop Art - Group Exhibition - ArtBoy Gallery - Prahran
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Cartographic Career
Nov 2005-Feb 2016
Self Employed
Duties Include;
All work associated with the Lands Department and Department of Planning in Western Australia
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Preparation of Deposited Plans, Survey Strata and Strata Plans
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Preparation of Surveys Sheets
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Creation of CSD files, including more complex types
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Preparation of Site, Feature, Contour and Regional Development Plans
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E-lodgement preparation and lodgement
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Legal Plan Audit
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Preparation of Gross Net Lettable and other miscellaneous Plans
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Maintenance of business network and IT
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Website development and updates
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Custom Art
Apr 2004–Oct 2005
McMullen Nolan & Partners Surveyors WA
Cartographic/Computing Team Cartographer/Graphic Designer
Duties Included;
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Preparation of Sales Plans for Real Estate companies
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Updating and maintaining the Satterley Web Page
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Updating 3D terrain models of estate area
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Creating furnishings such as trees for 3D Terrain models and adhering to base
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Designing logos and layout of sales plans and other miscellaneous plans
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Assisting with satellite imagery projects
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Creating sales plan overall bases from engineering and other service plans
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Providing Microstation and technical support to my team, and others, as required
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Printing and collating sales plans for clients
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Apr 1998-Mar 2004
Department of Land Information Statutory Services
Senior Cartographic Officer
Duties Included;
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Preparation of Deposited Plans for Pastoral Leases and Easements.
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Preparation of DP’s for Townsites, Port Authorities, Marine Parks and State Forests
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Auditing of Crown DP’s containing unsurveyed information
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Writing of technical descriptions for Local Authorities, Town- sites and Port Authorities
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Major involvement with Pastoral Exclusion Project for the Minister.
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Solving complex mathematical closes
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Providing Microstation, CSD and other technical support to my team, and others, as required
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Preparation of Concept Plans
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Thorough investigative research and testing for E-Lodgement, in- cluding onsite evaluation and support forthe Survey Industry
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Searching and collation of survey information from DLI databases
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Manual drafting amendments and colour washes, when required.
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Preparation of Certified Plans to be presented as evidence in court
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Supervision and support for less experienced staff members
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Preparation of 3 dimensional easement plans for Forrest Place
1992–1998
Department of Land Information Freehold Plan Registration Senior SurveyExaminer
Duties Included;
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Full Audits of Freehold surveys, including preparation of alignment sketches and field book examination
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Major role in assisting the survey industry with introduction of CSD files
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Performing complex mathematical closes including easement sketches
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Resolution of mathematical closes that were not within allowable limits
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Manual drafting amendments and colour wash applications
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Investigative searching of DLI resources for required survey information
1988–1990
Department of Land Information Cartographic Services CartographicDraftsperson
Duties Included;
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Preparing and maintaining Public Plans, involving manual drafting and extensive colour washes
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Updating and maintaining DLI’s Spatial Cadastral Database
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Assisting in the Pastoral Ranglelands Project