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tarsh bates is interested in the body as material and as a site of intervention, in evocative objects, and in the aesthetics of care: embodied encounters that are durational, affective, relational, proximal, and particular. Her practice is concerned with the aestheticisation of reproductive bodies, our capacity for alternative possibilities for care and reproduction, and the ambiguities of reproductivity in a biotechnological era. tarsh explores these concepts through biology, sculpture and performance, using artistic and scientific tools to explore the nexus of bodies, ethics and culture.
tarsh bates is currently a candidate for a Master of Science (Biological Art) at SymbioticA, UWA. She studied biotechnology and environmental science at Murdoch University and contemporary sculpture and performance at Edith Cowan University. Selected group exhibitions include: books and boats, spECtrUm Project Space, Perth (2005),Sculpture Survey 2004, Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park, Perth (2004), String Me A Story: An exhibition of hand plied string and text, spECtrUm project space, Perth (2004). Selected performances include: the descent of man, SymbioticA, Perth (2010), bare, tripart collaborative performance with Brooke Zeligman, Claire Canham and Emma Paterson, d&k presents, PICA, & FreeRange Gallery, ARTopia Festival, Perth (2005), live art by, collaborative live performance,The Midland National Review of Live Art, Perth (2003). tarsh has also participated in workshops & performances with international artists, including Richard Layzell, lone twin, Shilpa Gupta & Sarah-Jane Pell.
Megan Schlipalius is interested in creating and researching interdisciplinary exhibitions that generate opportunities for interactions between arts, science, history and anthropology. She is particularly interested in communication through living exhibits, the ethics involved and the way that live exhibits have changed over time. Her current areas of research include audience research, museology and ephemeral aspects of arts and culture.
Megan has a background in cultural heritage, anthropology, human biology and social ethics. She has completed a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from the University of Western Australia and a Master of Arts (Cultural Heritage) from Curtin University. Megan has conducted various projects such as audience research for the Fremantle Arts Centre and an ethnographic study of BioDifference – the political ecology by SymbioticA. She has helped create exhibitions at the Holmes a Court Gallery and acted as curator of the Museum of Childhood, ECU. Megan is currently coordinating the Museum Studies program at Edith Cowan University.
