"Van's art is Ventolin for the breath of resistance" (social justice activist)
(25th March, 2020) The Covid-19 Pandemic and global economic crisis.
As the world slips into a deep economic recession/depression triggered by Covid-19, and as the deaths from the virus tragically increase, I believe that radical political art can play a part in building collective resistance to the inevitable ruling class attacks on ordinary people.
I mean, it's already happening ffs. In Australia, thousands of workers have been sacked while thousands more lie in wait to join dole queues. This is while their employers get bailed out to the tune of millions and billions of dollars that we will eventually be forced to pay back (remember austerity after the GFC?). Millions if us will not be able to afford to pay rent nor pay mortgages. What then? Rent and mortgage freezes are visible on the horizon. So much is visible on the horizon but it will come from our determination to not be beaten down by this failing capitalist system.
There's so much to write about here. But I tend to communicate better with image creations. I normally create murals in public places. But now I'm social distancing, so it makes sense to draw cartoons. I always tend to revert to black and white cartooning when times are hard. So you might see some cartoons on this website (on the street mural section).
It also has come to my attention that a lot of stuff about artists tends to become meaningless during a socio-political crisis and economic depression. Lists of exhibitions, prizes, university qualifications etc etc seem to float with the cold winds of bullshit. Art, now, either becomes entertainment (in a populist sense) and/or a clear political force for either the far left or far right side of politics. The middle (or centre of politics) will have dried up (if not already) and become irrelevant. I like to situate myself within the far left of politics, where we fight for a world where ordinary people run politics and the economy through cooperation. I hope you have that dream too.
Regardless of what I have just said, I'll still leave my art bio and curriculum vitae below (part of it at least). You can choose to ignore it too. I totally understand.
Van.Nishing - Art biography and experience:
"Van ( @Van.Nishing ) paints pictures on city walls, creates sci-fi political art, places hyper-real sculptures in public places, paints murals for trade unions, illustrates children's books and is a dedicated football player (the world game that is).
He moved from Queensland's Sunshine Coast to Melbourne in 1995 and became deeply involved in the Melbourne music and visual arts scene. He's been working from studios based in Melbourne's west since 2005 and has been living in social housing for the last 6 years. Only very recently - late in 2019 did he move back into the severely overpriced, private rental market.
"In all of my art forms I aim to reflect and part take in the energy and urgency of exploited and oppressed people that are struggling, in some shape or form, to bring capitalism to its knees. It's a hard, long fight. But it's a historical one, full of small and gigantic victories. Unfortunately the ruling class has wealth on it's side, and they're very experienced at using racism, sexism and homophobia to divide us. So victories for us can seem many horizons away. Capitalism has brought us war, extreme poverty, environmental destruction and global warming and it's getting worse at a relentless pace. This is the totalising effect of a global system that is perpetually in crisis. What other choice is there but to fight against it?"
(Van, 2019-2020)
Van has been involved in the following groups and projects:
Cheezlekane (Indie Rock band, 1994 - 2001)
Seconds (Indie Rock band, 2002 - 2007)
Stalis Vetch (Indie Rock band, 2006 - 2007)
Granma (Indie Rock band, 2006 - 2007)
Darebin Artists Action Group (1997)
Curator of Rampart (Northcote Library, 1997)
The Carriers Project (2004 - 2007)
Co-Organiser, CLASS Artspace, (2007)
A-17P (Artists of the 17th Parallel) (2009 - ?)
The Rich Forks (1998 - Current)
Workers Art Collective (2018 - current)
Some Art Awards and Exhibition History
2019 - Winner - 2019 Boston Globe - Horn Book Award, for Patchwork Bike (author, Maxine Beneba Clarke, 2016)
2019 - Selected - 2019 New York Public Library Best Books for Kids List
2019 - Selected - 2019, USA notable children's book list for ALSC (Assoc. for Library Service to Children)
2019 - Selected - USA, 2018 Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books’ Blue Ribbons List
2019 - Highly Commended - 2019 Charlotte Zolotow Award - USA, for Patchwork Bike (author, Maxine Beneba Clarke)
2019 - Selected - Outstanding International Books List from USBBY (USA Board on Books for Young People)
2019 - Winner, Caldenott Prize (International Artists) Prize, USA, for Patchwork Bike (author, Maxine Beneba Clarke)
2018 - Shortlisted for the NSW Patricia Wrightson Prize for children's Literature (stoked!!!!)
2017 - Winner of the Crichton Award 2017 for debut illustrator of a Children's picture book. (fck yeah!!)
2017 - CBCA Honour Book Award with Maxine Beneba Clarke for The Patchwork Bike.
2017 - Shorlisted for the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) for the Patchwork Bike (Author, Maxine Beneba Clarke), and the Crichton Award for first time children's book illustrator.
2015 - People's Choice Award (with Peter Woods), Sampari Art Exhibition for West Papua, Federal Republic of West Papua. (Rockin artwork allround in this show)
2011 – NAVA Ignition Prize for Masters Research exhibition, VCA (felt pretty goddam ignited I burnt myself a little on a trouser leg)
2009 - Finalist, Sunshine Coast Art Prize - for a piece called "Freedom and Furniture". (sorry I can't find an image for you, but it was intense)
2008 – Off the Kerb Encouragement Award, PROUD , VCA student union members exhibition
2007 – Finalist – (2nd runner-up Prize after Tony Albert) Sunshine Coast Art Award - for the art piece "100 000 to 400 000". (Tony Albert's piece was indeed powerful)
2006 –Selected for KULTOUR 2007 . Touring of “The Carriers – Local Terrain” destinations including: Sydney, Lismore, Perth, Canberra, Brisbane, Fremantle. The Carriers is an ongoing project by Van to expose politically engaging art to new audiences beyond the gallery. By literally carrying his paintings on foot in public spaces, he hopes to encourage debate amongst the local communities. (got in lots of trouble doing this project :P)
2004 – Finalist – Metro5 Art Award (didn't realise the moron former Liberal Premier Jeff Kennett had stacks to do with this prize and was a judge at some point??? - ffs)
Recent Exhibitions, Street displays etc (Selected)
2019 - Will update this soon - as there's been lots going on
2018 - Some stuff has been written about my shit somewhere
2017 - A whole lotta stuff has been written about my art in some online shit
2016 - 2020 - #RichForks (a world tour starting in venues in Australia) - shoving it up the billionaires!
2015 - No More Delusions - I want Revolution. Street Sculpture, Melbourne CBD.
2014 - (this year was a blur - I made many artworks I have to update them soon)
2014 - Rebel Striker Instructional Football videos (youtube and on this website)
2013 - “Football v Tony Abbott”, 2 x youtube videos
2013 - “Free Gaza”, football public Sculpture, streets of Footscray, Victoria, Australia
2013 - “Occupy Rio”, football public Sculpture, streets of Footscray, Victoria, Australia
2013 - “No Cuts to Education”, VCA and University of Melbourne Campus
2012 – “Refugee”, Public Sculpture, Streets of Footscray, Victoria
2012 – “No Nauru!”, Public Sculpture, Melbourne CBD, Victoria
2012 - “$chool”, Public Sculpture, streets of Footscray, Victoria
2012 - “Mi Cuerpo se Regresar a La Lucha” (trans. “My body slowly returns to the class struggle”), streets of Santiago, Chile
2011 - “Final Oligarchy”, Place Gallery, Richmond, Australia
2010 - “Van T Rudd vs Julia Gillard”, VCA, Victoria
2009 – “Used Car from Afghanistan”, Off the Kerb Gallery, Collingwood, Vic
2008 to eternity, "eternal residency” curated by dead Afghanis, White House, Washington DC, USA
2008 – “The Carriers – Melbourne Art Fair Intrusion”, Exhibition Building, Carlton, Victoria
2008 – Untitled, Installation in water fountain zone, NGV , St Kilda Rd, Vic
2007 – The Carriers – Local Terrain, National Tour (kultour), Casula Powerhouse (Sydney), 48hrs Visual Art Festival (Byron Bay), Metro Arts ( Brisbane), Belconnen (ACT), Fremantle Festival (WA), Mt Macedon (VIC)
2007 – The Carriers – Melbourne Social Forum, Brunswick, Vic
2007 – The Carriers – “Intrusion at Art Melbourne07” – carried painting into exhibition building
2007 – “Operation Enduring Freedom”, Melbourne Social Forum, at CERES (carrying project)
2006 – “Genocide – The Australian Scream”, The Carriers, During Stolenwealth Games, Federation Square and Melbourne CBD , supported by Trocadero Art Space.
2005 – “The Carriers”(in conjuction with Exposure), Big West Festival, Maribrynong region – carrying paintings with Michael Brennan along Footscray Streets, Malls, High Point shopping centre
2005 – “And The Woman Said, Let Our People Go”, Trocadero Art Space, Footscray
2004 – “The Carriers Project”, for Architects for Peace, Arts Centre Undercroft, City
2004 – “Intravenous – the Carrier”, Melbourne Fringe Festival
2004 – “There is No Surrender”, Santina’s window space, High St Northcote
2004 – “Intravenous – The Carrier”, Carrying Paintings in Melbourne City including NGV foyer
2003 – ” Layered Breathe, Halo (fuck, shit)”, Honeyeaters, Palmer St Richmond, Vic
2002 – ” Conduits Hereafter” First Site Gallery, RMIT , Melbourne
1998 - Solo Exhibition, Goya Galleries, Fitzroy, Melbourne.
1997 - "Five Wives", Northcote Library, Vic
Recent Group Exhibitions and Collaborations (selected)
2016 - 2020 - #RichForks (a world tour starting in venues in Australia)
2015 - Stop the Forced Closures of Aboriginal Communities, a Mural collaboration between the VCA Student Association and the Wilin Centre, Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne.
2015 - Marxism Conference - Ideas to Challenge the System, a collaboration with social justice activists from Australia and around the world including Emory Douglas, Eamonn McCann, Annand Ghopal, Gary Foley and many many more.
2014 – “Ideas to Challenge the System”, with Sam Cook, Richard Bell, Lauren Green, Chuckie Calsado, Liz Ross, RISE Theatre of the Oppressed, and more...Marxism Conference, Union House, University of Melbourne, Australia.
2013 – “I want Change” A survey of contemporary political art – A group exhibition, LaTrobe University Museum of Art, curated by Michael Brennan
2013 – Public Art display, alongside Aboriginal artist/activist Targan, and former Black Panther from the USA Billy X Jennings, Marxism Conference, Union House, Melbourne University
2013 – Street Art for Laneways Festival, Footscray, Victoria
2012 – “Agent Orange”, group exhibition and fundraiser, Mori Gallery, Sydney
2011 – At The Vanishing Point Gallery, Sydney. “Contested Territories”.
2010 - Migrant Resource Centre Group Show, Australia on Collins, Melbourne
2010 - "Chemicle Agents" by A-17P collective, The Library Artspace, Nth Fitzroy, Melbourne
2010 - Townsville Youth Festival, Queensland (artwork disallowed)
2010 - Blindside Art Space, Melbourne
2010 - "Racism - product of Australia", Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
2009 - F.A.C.T 4, Footscray Community Arts Centre
2009 - Group show at Slot Space, Redfern, Sydney
2009 - UnAustralian - with Dom Golding, Big West Festival, Footscray, Victoria, Australia.
2009 – “Nam Bang”, Casula Powerhouse, Sydney, NSW
2009 – “Uprising”, Degraves St Subway, Melbourne, Vic
2008 – “PROUD”, VCA student union members exhibition
2008 – “Ho Chi Minh City – Young Artists”, City Library, Flinders Lane, Melbourne
2008 – “I Love Pho”, Footscray Community Arts Centre, Melbourne
2007(OCT) – “Alternatives”, Latin America Asia Pacific Solidarity Conference, Trades Hall, Melbourne. Speakers Artists and Activists from Aotearoa/NZ, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philipines, Sth Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Venezuela…etc
2007 – “Nuclear Posters”, Contributers Exhibtion, Breakdown Press, Artery, Fitzroy, Vic
2007 – “Smells like Sulphur”, A tribute to Venezuela and the Art of telling Bush to Piss Off…, with Roberto Jorquera, Trocadero Art Space, Footscray, Victoria.
What are they saying? (Selected)
2019 - Some stuff has been written about my shit somewhere
2018 - Some stuff has been written about my shit somewhere
2017 - A whole lotta stuff has been written about my art in some online shit
2014 - "15 Captivating Works of Art That Challenge the McDonaldization of Society", Huffington Post, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/24/mcdonalds-protest-art_n_4981799.html
2013 – “Art, Freedom of Speech and the Law”, Damian Carrick's Law Report http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lawreport/art2c-freedom-of-...
2011 – “Van Rudd Claims Censorship on MidEast Art”, by Wendy Carlisle http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2011/s3216175.htm
2010 – Our New Selection, ABC's Australian Story
2009 - Brigid Anderson, "For Sale: $1.2b Car Part", ABC News Online, Oct 5
2009 - Adri Nieuwhof, "Installation Criticising Occupation, Veolia Causes Stir", Electronic Intifada, March Adri Nieuwhof is a consultant and human rights advocate based in Switzerland.
2009 - Sam King, "Censoring Art to Protect Connex's Israel Connection", Direct Action, April
2009 - Azlan McLennan, "Connex Tries to Censor Pro-Palestinian Art", Socialist Alternative, March
2009 - Reid Sexton, "Rudd's Nephew Clashes With Connex", the Age, March 8th
2008 – Cover Image for Overlander 92, an Australia Council Funded Writers Magazine
2008 – “Young Rudd’s Artwork Too Hot For MCC ”, ABC Radio National, May 23
2008 – Katherine Bradstreet, “Protest Art Censored”, Greenleft Weekly, June 14
2008 – “Art Attack”, ABC TV 7pm World News Today, May 23
2008 – Michelle Grattan, “Young Rudd’s Artwork Too Hot for MCC ”, The Age, May23
2008 – Michelle Grattan, “Is the Art Fuss Justified?”, Sydney Morning Herald, May 25
2008 – Lucy Battersby, “Under the Influence: Rudd’s Work Echoes Banksy”, The Age Online, May 23
2008 – Lucy Battersby, “Rudd Work Inspires Controversy and Commentary”, The AgeMay 24
2008 – Herald Sun, “Council Rejects Painting by PM’s Nephew”
2007 – Tony Iltis, “The Art of Telling Bush to Piss Off”, GreenLeft Weekly, May 24
2007 – Suzanne Carbone, “Brushing Up on Rudd’s Politics”, The Age, June 11
2007 – Suzanne Carbone, “In The Picture”, The Age, July 9
2007 – Robyn Ironside, “ Walk of Art Moved On – Rudd’s Nephew Faced Arrest Over Canvas for Peace”, The Courier Mail, July 7.
2007 – “Art For the Masses”, Liverpool Leader, June 6
2007 – Anne Tarasov, “Art That Can’t Fail to Move”, Liverpool City Champion, June 13
2007 – Helena Sivric, “Art Takes to the Streets”, Liverpool Leader, June 20
2007 – Blythe Seinor, “Just Don’t Tell Uncle Kev – Rudd Nephew Courts Controversy with Burning Flag Painting”, Sunshine Coast Daily, August 16
2006 – Stolewealth Poster Series, Breakdown Press
2006 – Azlan McLennan, “Reclaiming the Public”, Green Left Weekly, Oct
2006 – Gillian Davey, “Van T Rudd”, Direct Action Newsletter, Issue 2
2006 – Briar Sinclair, “Maidstone Artist Moved On”, Western Times, April 11
2006 – Christine de Kock, “Dreamtime a Nightmare”, The Star, April 4
2005 – “war Vet Dad Inspires”, Western Times, Nov 15
2004 – “Politics of A Carrier”, Artery Magazine, Vol 2, Issue 2, Dec
As the world slips into a deep economic recession/depression triggered by Covid-19, and as the deaths from the virus tragically increase, I believe that radical political art can play a part in building collective resistance to the inevitable ruling class attacks on ordinary people.
I mean, it's already happening ffs. In Australia, thousands of workers have been sacked while thousands more lie in wait to join dole queues. This is while their employers get bailed out to the tune of millions and billions of dollars that we will eventually be forced to pay back (remember austerity after the GFC?). Millions if us will not be able to afford to pay rent nor pay mortgages. What then? Rent and mortgage freezes are visible on the horizon. So much is visible on the horizon but it will come from our determination to not be beaten down by this failing capitalist system.
There's so much to write about here. But I tend to communicate better with image creations. I normally create murals in public places. But now I'm social distancing, so it makes sense to draw cartoons. I always tend to revert to black and white cartooning when times are hard. So you might see some cartoons on this website (on the street mural section).
It also has come to my attention that a lot of stuff about artists tends to become meaningless during a socio-political crisis and economic depression. Lists of exhibitions, prizes, university qualifications etc etc seem to float with the cold winds of bullshit. Art, now, either becomes entertainment (in a populist sense) and/or a clear political force for either the far left or far right side of politics. The middle (or centre of politics) will have dried up (if not already) and become irrelevant. I like to situate myself within the far left of politics, where we fight for a world where ordinary people run politics and the economy through cooperation. I hope you have that dream too.
Regardless of what I have just said, I'll still leave my art bio and curriculum vitae below (part of it at least). You can choose to ignore it too. I totally understand.
Van.Nishing - Art biography and experience:
"Van ( @Van.Nishing ) paints pictures on city walls, creates sci-fi political art, places hyper-real sculptures in public places, paints murals for trade unions, illustrates children's books and is a dedicated football player (the world game that is).
He moved from Queensland's Sunshine Coast to Melbourne in 1995 and became deeply involved in the Melbourne music and visual arts scene. He's been working from studios based in Melbourne's west since 2005 and has been living in social housing for the last 6 years. Only very recently - late in 2019 did he move back into the severely overpriced, private rental market.
"In all of my art forms I aim to reflect and part take in the energy and urgency of exploited and oppressed people that are struggling, in some shape or form, to bring capitalism to its knees. It's a hard, long fight. But it's a historical one, full of small and gigantic victories. Unfortunately the ruling class has wealth on it's side, and they're very experienced at using racism, sexism and homophobia to divide us. So victories for us can seem many horizons away. Capitalism has brought us war, extreme poverty, environmental destruction and global warming and it's getting worse at a relentless pace. This is the totalising effect of a global system that is perpetually in crisis. What other choice is there but to fight against it?"
(Van, 2019-2020)
Van has been involved in the following groups and projects:
Cheezlekane (Indie Rock band, 1994 - 2001)
Seconds (Indie Rock band, 2002 - 2007)
Stalis Vetch (Indie Rock band, 2006 - 2007)
Granma (Indie Rock band, 2006 - 2007)
Darebin Artists Action Group (1997)
Curator of Rampart (Northcote Library, 1997)
The Carriers Project (2004 - 2007)
Co-Organiser, CLASS Artspace, (2007)
A-17P (Artists of the 17th Parallel) (2009 - ?)
The Rich Forks (1998 - Current)
Workers Art Collective (2018 - current)
Some Art Awards and Exhibition History
2019 - Winner - 2019 Boston Globe - Horn Book Award, for Patchwork Bike (author, Maxine Beneba Clarke, 2016)
2019 - Selected - 2019 New York Public Library Best Books for Kids List
2019 - Selected - 2019, USA notable children's book list for ALSC (Assoc. for Library Service to Children)
2019 - Selected - USA, 2018 Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books’ Blue Ribbons List
2019 - Highly Commended - 2019 Charlotte Zolotow Award - USA, for Patchwork Bike (author, Maxine Beneba Clarke)
2019 - Selected - Outstanding International Books List from USBBY (USA Board on Books for Young People)
2019 - Winner, Caldenott Prize (International Artists) Prize, USA, for Patchwork Bike (author, Maxine Beneba Clarke)
2018 - Shortlisted for the NSW Patricia Wrightson Prize for children's Literature (stoked!!!!)
2017 - Winner of the Crichton Award 2017 for debut illustrator of a Children's picture book. (fck yeah!!)
2017 - CBCA Honour Book Award with Maxine Beneba Clarke for The Patchwork Bike.
2017 - Shorlisted for the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) for the Patchwork Bike (Author, Maxine Beneba Clarke), and the Crichton Award for first time children's book illustrator.
2015 - People's Choice Award (with Peter Woods), Sampari Art Exhibition for West Papua, Federal Republic of West Papua. (Rockin artwork allround in this show)
2011 – NAVA Ignition Prize for Masters Research exhibition, VCA (felt pretty goddam ignited I burnt myself a little on a trouser leg)
2009 - Finalist, Sunshine Coast Art Prize - for a piece called "Freedom and Furniture". (sorry I can't find an image for you, but it was intense)
2008 – Off the Kerb Encouragement Award, PROUD , VCA student union members exhibition
2007 – Finalist – (2nd runner-up Prize after Tony Albert) Sunshine Coast Art Award - for the art piece "100 000 to 400 000". (Tony Albert's piece was indeed powerful)
2006 –Selected for KULTOUR 2007 . Touring of “The Carriers – Local Terrain” destinations including: Sydney, Lismore, Perth, Canberra, Brisbane, Fremantle. The Carriers is an ongoing project by Van to expose politically engaging art to new audiences beyond the gallery. By literally carrying his paintings on foot in public spaces, he hopes to encourage debate amongst the local communities. (got in lots of trouble doing this project :P)
2004 – Finalist – Metro5 Art Award (didn't realise the moron former Liberal Premier Jeff Kennett had stacks to do with this prize and was a judge at some point??? - ffs)
Recent Exhibitions, Street displays etc (Selected)
2019 - Will update this soon - as there's been lots going on
2018 - Some stuff has been written about my shit somewhere
2017 - A whole lotta stuff has been written about my art in some online shit
2016 - 2020 - #RichForks (a world tour starting in venues in Australia) - shoving it up the billionaires!
2015 - No More Delusions - I want Revolution. Street Sculpture, Melbourne CBD.
2014 - (this year was a blur - I made many artworks I have to update them soon)
2014 - Rebel Striker Instructional Football videos (youtube and on this website)
2013 - “Football v Tony Abbott”, 2 x youtube videos
2013 - “Free Gaza”, football public Sculpture, streets of Footscray, Victoria, Australia
2013 - “Occupy Rio”, football public Sculpture, streets of Footscray, Victoria, Australia
2013 - “No Cuts to Education”, VCA and University of Melbourne Campus
2012 – “Refugee”, Public Sculpture, Streets of Footscray, Victoria
2012 – “No Nauru!”, Public Sculpture, Melbourne CBD, Victoria
2012 - “$chool”, Public Sculpture, streets of Footscray, Victoria
2012 - “Mi Cuerpo se Regresar a La Lucha” (trans. “My body slowly returns to the class struggle”), streets of Santiago, Chile
2011 - “Final Oligarchy”, Place Gallery, Richmond, Australia
2010 - “Van T Rudd vs Julia Gillard”, VCA, Victoria
2009 – “Used Car from Afghanistan”, Off the Kerb Gallery, Collingwood, Vic
2008 to eternity, "eternal residency” curated by dead Afghanis, White House, Washington DC, USA
2008 – “The Carriers – Melbourne Art Fair Intrusion”, Exhibition Building, Carlton, Victoria
2008 – Untitled, Installation in water fountain zone, NGV , St Kilda Rd, Vic
2007 – The Carriers – Local Terrain, National Tour (kultour), Casula Powerhouse (Sydney), 48hrs Visual Art Festival (Byron Bay), Metro Arts ( Brisbane), Belconnen (ACT), Fremantle Festival (WA), Mt Macedon (VIC)
2007 – The Carriers – Melbourne Social Forum, Brunswick, Vic
2007 – The Carriers – “Intrusion at Art Melbourne07” – carried painting into exhibition building
2007 – “Operation Enduring Freedom”, Melbourne Social Forum, at CERES (carrying project)
2006 – “Genocide – The Australian Scream”, The Carriers, During Stolenwealth Games, Federation Square and Melbourne CBD , supported by Trocadero Art Space.
2005 – “The Carriers”(in conjuction with Exposure), Big West Festival, Maribrynong region – carrying paintings with Michael Brennan along Footscray Streets, Malls, High Point shopping centre
2005 – “And The Woman Said, Let Our People Go”, Trocadero Art Space, Footscray
2004 – “The Carriers Project”, for Architects for Peace, Arts Centre Undercroft, City
2004 – “Intravenous – the Carrier”, Melbourne Fringe Festival
2004 – “There is No Surrender”, Santina’s window space, High St Northcote
2004 – “Intravenous – The Carrier”, Carrying Paintings in Melbourne City including NGV foyer
2003 – ” Layered Breathe, Halo (fuck, shit)”, Honeyeaters, Palmer St Richmond, Vic
2002 – ” Conduits Hereafter” First Site Gallery, RMIT , Melbourne
1998 - Solo Exhibition, Goya Galleries, Fitzroy, Melbourne.
1997 - "Five Wives", Northcote Library, Vic
Recent Group Exhibitions and Collaborations (selected)
2016 - 2020 - #RichForks (a world tour starting in venues in Australia)
2015 - Stop the Forced Closures of Aboriginal Communities, a Mural collaboration between the VCA Student Association and the Wilin Centre, Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne.
2015 - Marxism Conference - Ideas to Challenge the System, a collaboration with social justice activists from Australia and around the world including Emory Douglas, Eamonn McCann, Annand Ghopal, Gary Foley and many many more.
2014 – “Ideas to Challenge the System”, with Sam Cook, Richard Bell, Lauren Green, Chuckie Calsado, Liz Ross, RISE Theatre of the Oppressed, and more...Marxism Conference, Union House, University of Melbourne, Australia.
2013 – “I want Change” A survey of contemporary political art – A group exhibition, LaTrobe University Museum of Art, curated by Michael Brennan
2013 – Public Art display, alongside Aboriginal artist/activist Targan, and former Black Panther from the USA Billy X Jennings, Marxism Conference, Union House, Melbourne University
2013 – Street Art for Laneways Festival, Footscray, Victoria
2012 – “Agent Orange”, group exhibition and fundraiser, Mori Gallery, Sydney
2011 – At The Vanishing Point Gallery, Sydney. “Contested Territories”.
2010 - Migrant Resource Centre Group Show, Australia on Collins, Melbourne
2010 - "Chemicle Agents" by A-17P collective, The Library Artspace, Nth Fitzroy, Melbourne
2010 - Townsville Youth Festival, Queensland (artwork disallowed)
2010 - Blindside Art Space, Melbourne
2010 - "Racism - product of Australia", Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
2009 - F.A.C.T 4, Footscray Community Arts Centre
2009 - Group show at Slot Space, Redfern, Sydney
2009 - UnAustralian - with Dom Golding, Big West Festival, Footscray, Victoria, Australia.
2009 – “Nam Bang”, Casula Powerhouse, Sydney, NSW
2009 – “Uprising”, Degraves St Subway, Melbourne, Vic
2008 – “PROUD”, VCA student union members exhibition
2008 – “Ho Chi Minh City – Young Artists”, City Library, Flinders Lane, Melbourne
2008 – “I Love Pho”, Footscray Community Arts Centre, Melbourne
2007(OCT) – “Alternatives”, Latin America Asia Pacific Solidarity Conference, Trades Hall, Melbourne. Speakers Artists and Activists from Aotearoa/NZ, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philipines, Sth Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Venezuela…etc
2007 – “Nuclear Posters”, Contributers Exhibtion, Breakdown Press, Artery, Fitzroy, Vic
2007 – “Smells like Sulphur”, A tribute to Venezuela and the Art of telling Bush to Piss Off…, with Roberto Jorquera, Trocadero Art Space, Footscray, Victoria.
What are they saying? (Selected)
2019 - Some stuff has been written about my shit somewhere
2018 - Some stuff has been written about my shit somewhere
2017 - A whole lotta stuff has been written about my art in some online shit
2014 - "15 Captivating Works of Art That Challenge the McDonaldization of Society", Huffington Post, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/24/mcdonalds-protest-art_n_4981799.html
2013 – “Art, Freedom of Speech and the Law”, Damian Carrick's Law Report http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lawreport/art2c-freedom-of-...
2011 – “Van Rudd Claims Censorship on MidEast Art”, by Wendy Carlisle http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2011/s3216175.htm
2010 – Our New Selection, ABC's Australian Story
2009 - Brigid Anderson, "For Sale: $1.2b Car Part", ABC News Online, Oct 5
2009 - Adri Nieuwhof, "Installation Criticising Occupation, Veolia Causes Stir", Electronic Intifada, March Adri Nieuwhof is a consultant and human rights advocate based in Switzerland.
2009 - Sam King, "Censoring Art to Protect Connex's Israel Connection", Direct Action, April
2009 - Azlan McLennan, "Connex Tries to Censor Pro-Palestinian Art", Socialist Alternative, March
2009 - Reid Sexton, "Rudd's Nephew Clashes With Connex", the Age, March 8th
2008 – Cover Image for Overlander 92, an Australia Council Funded Writers Magazine
2008 – “Young Rudd’s Artwork Too Hot For MCC ”, ABC Radio National, May 23
2008 – Katherine Bradstreet, “Protest Art Censored”, Greenleft Weekly, June 14
2008 – “Art Attack”, ABC TV 7pm World News Today, May 23
2008 – Michelle Grattan, “Young Rudd’s Artwork Too Hot for MCC ”, The Age, May23
2008 – Michelle Grattan, “Is the Art Fuss Justified?”, Sydney Morning Herald, May 25
2008 – Lucy Battersby, “Under the Influence: Rudd’s Work Echoes Banksy”, The Age Online, May 23
2008 – Lucy Battersby, “Rudd Work Inspires Controversy and Commentary”, The AgeMay 24
2008 – Herald Sun, “Council Rejects Painting by PM’s Nephew”
2007 – Tony Iltis, “The Art of Telling Bush to Piss Off”, GreenLeft Weekly, May 24
2007 – Suzanne Carbone, “Brushing Up on Rudd’s Politics”, The Age, June 11
2007 – Suzanne Carbone, “In The Picture”, The Age, July 9
2007 – Robyn Ironside, “ Walk of Art Moved On – Rudd’s Nephew Faced Arrest Over Canvas for Peace”, The Courier Mail, July 7.
2007 – “Art For the Masses”, Liverpool Leader, June 6
2007 – Anne Tarasov, “Art That Can’t Fail to Move”, Liverpool City Champion, June 13
2007 – Helena Sivric, “Art Takes to the Streets”, Liverpool Leader, June 20
2007 – Blythe Seinor, “Just Don’t Tell Uncle Kev – Rudd Nephew Courts Controversy with Burning Flag Painting”, Sunshine Coast Daily, August 16
2006 – Stolewealth Poster Series, Breakdown Press
2006 – Azlan McLennan, “Reclaiming the Public”, Green Left Weekly, Oct
2006 – Gillian Davey, “Van T Rudd”, Direct Action Newsletter, Issue 2
2006 – Briar Sinclair, “Maidstone Artist Moved On”, Western Times, April 11
2006 – Christine de Kock, “Dreamtime a Nightmare”, The Star, April 4
2005 – “war Vet Dad Inspires”, Western Times, Nov 15
2004 – “Politics of A Carrier”, Artery Magazine, Vol 2, Issue 2, Dec