Holly Bates is a Brisbane-based artist, working individually and as one half of the collaboration Parallel Park with artist Tayla Haggarty. Working across sculpture, installation, performance and video, her practice currently seeks to challenge pre-conceived notions of female sexuality depicted by patriarchal culture. Using humour, play and feminist approaches to art making, the practice explores personal narratives that are formed by the artist’s position as a queer feminist, and reflect on body insecurities, sexual fantasies, pleasure, relationships and social stigmas.

Holly completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) degree at the Queensland University of Technology in 2015, graduating with first class and two academic prizes. Holly has exhibited within showcases at QUT, Boxcopy, The Block, Metro Arts, The Hold and through local artist run initiatives in Brisbane.

EDUCATION

2015

Queensland University of Technology: Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Arts), Honours, Graduated with 1st Class

2014

Queensland University of Technology: Completed Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Arts)

EXHIBITIONS

2018

Rodeo Romance, Stable Art Space, Brisbane

Can you keep me occupied, Parallel Park, Outer Space, Brisbane

2017

In Time, Parallel Park, Hobiennale, Hobart, Tasmania

Brave New Worlds, Parallel Park, Jacobs Ladder, Curated by Kieran Swann, Brisbane

Tunnel Vision, Parallel Park, Open Studio, Brisbane

The Melt Portrait Prize

Melt Festival, Brisbane Powerhouse.

1 Degree

Parallel Park, Brisbane Powerhouse.

2016

The Shape of Things to Come

The Block, QUT, Brisbane

Tandem

Parallel Park, Cut Thumb ARI

JANUS_01

Kunstbunker Ari, Brisbane

Home ground

Collaboration by Clutch Collective, Boxcopy

Parallel Park, FELT SPACE, Perth

Shift 2

Parallel Park, in residence ARI

Steven Bradbury Memorial Show

Parallel Park, The Laundry Artspace

Future Proof

Boxcopy contemporary art space, Brisbane

#PRIZENOPRIZE

Parallel Park, The Walls, Gold Coast

INDICATE

The Laundry Artspace

2015

Before All Else,

(Visual Arts Honours Graduate Exhibition), H Block Gallery, QUT, Brisbane

Excerpts, The Block, QUT, Brisbane

THIS IS NOT A DRILL, The Hold Artspace, Brisbane

THIS IS NOT A DRILL (2), H Block Gallery QUT, Brisbane

Lets Change the Subject, H Block Gallery, QUT, Brisbane

2014

Exit

(Visual Arts Graduate Exhibition), H Block Gallery, QUT, Brisbane

Occupied, Metro Arts, Brisbane

Paint It Red, Jugglers Art Space, Brisbane

2012- 2015 Various End of Semester Exhibitions, H Block Gallery, QUT, Brisbane

AWARDS

2015

Deans List for Academic Excellence, Queensland University of Technology

Eyeline Prize for an Outstanding Visual Arts Graduate

PUBLICATIONS:

2017 Eyeline Magazine, Issue #86

2017 1 Degree// 2 Degrees, pages 14 & 15 Edited by Remi Roehrs

2016 Mous. Magazine #2, pages 35 &36

CURATED

2016

Benjamin Crowley | Walking to the edge of a small cliff

Clutch Collective, October , Bari Festival

Wading Space | Kat Nancy 

Clutch Collective, September

GORGEus | Shatrick

Clutch Collective, August

Louise Bennett | The Sun From Your Past

Clutch Collective, July

Katie Porter | Catharcissism (save me make me keep me take me) 

Clutch Collective, April

Make It Pink | Callum McGrath

Clutch Collective, March

OTHER

Intern position as publishing assistant for Eyeline Magazine: August 2014 – January 2015

Intern position as gallery assistant for Jugglers Art Space: January- April 2015

Intern position as gallery assistant for Box Copy contemporary Art Space April 2015- Present