Although fascinated by the rigid strength that different metals offer, Brigit uses a variety of mixed media in the creation of her mostly 3-D works. Her European heritage and rural upbringing shine through her works in different ways. Traditional techniques and processes like weaving, forging and crocheting,, are appropriated and re-imagined in the pursuit of creating larger than life experiences for the audience. You are invited to walk amongst forged copper plants or explore giant woven seed-pots. Intricately woven copper leaves are protected by glass cylinder, reminding us of exotic plants that require protecting.
Largely influenced and inspired by natural forms, her works attempt to reintroduce a connection and familiarity with the natural world. Materiality, namely the use of recycled materials that support the creation of the unpredictable and irregular are important aspects in her works.
Brigit has shown her work in solo exhibitions at Icon Museum of Art, McClealland Sculpture Park and Montsalvat amongst others. She was shortlisted for The Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award, The McClelland Survey and Award, The Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award and aRtECYCLE Incinerator Art Award just to name a few. Brigit has created public art commissions for the city of Port Philip, the city of Ballarat and Bendigo, Windham Vale and Park and Wildlife in Tasmania. Public Talks and workshops are a regular feature in Brigit’s busy schedule.
Art related education
Masters of Visual Arts, Monash University, Melbourne
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Victorian College of the Art, Melbourne
Certificate of Art and Design, Auckland Institute of Technology
Solo shows
September 2018 ‘Solitude, visitors and the village’ Montsalvat Eltham
August 2016 ‘Between the Light and Darkness’ Stockroom Kyneton
March 2016 ‘Water and Sky” Manyung Gallery, Malvern
September 2015 “Brigit Heller” Manyung Gallery, Mount Eliza
October 2012 “I don’t want to drown” Mars Gallery Melbourne
November 2005 “The Other Side” Icon Museum of Art, Deakin University
March 2005 “Island”, McClelland Sculpture Park, Langwarrin
Aril 2001 “His and Hers”, The Band Hall Gallery, Kyneton
February 2000 “The Graft” an installation on Herring Island, Melbourne
January 2000 “Precieux”, the Bank Hall Gallery, Kyneton
Selected Group Shows
March 2022 'Artisans in the Garden' Sydney Botanic Gardens
Januar 2022 'Art in the Vines' - Hanging Rock Winery
July 2021 'Radius Art Hepburn Springs
March 2021 ‘Gippsland Sculpture Exhibition’ Yinnar
July 2020 ‘Equilibrium’ West Side Art Space, Melbourne
November 2019 ‘Big Sculpture Veg Out, St Kilda
April 2019 ‘Post’ Baynton Hall
March 2019 ‘Nowhaus’ LCI Melbourne
February 2019 ‘Montalto Sculpture Competition
November 2018 ‘Art in the Vines’ Hanging Rock Winery
March 2018 ‘Landfall’ Lorne Sculpture Biennale
March 2017 ‘Beached Verandah Project’, Port Fairy
October 2016 ‘Montsalvat Arts Festival’ Eltham
September 2015 ‘Montsalvat” Arts Festival’, Elthham VIC
April 2015 ‘From Nature’, Gasworks Art Park, Melbourne
October 2014 Contemporary Small Sculpture Award, Deakin University Melbourne
March 2014 Lorne Sculpture Biennale, Lorne
February 03/2013 Montalto Sculpture Prize, Red Hill VIC
November 2012 Backyard Exhibition, Art Gallery of Ballarat
October 2011/09 Lorne Sculpture Biennale
2011/08/06/05/04 Toorak Village Sculpture Festival, Melbourne
2011/10 aRtECYCLE Incinerator Arts Complex, Monee Ponds
October 2010 Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award
February 2010 Williamstown Arts Festival, Williamstown
February 2007 The Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award Werribee Park
October 2003 McClelland Survey&Award, Langwarren VIC
March 2003 “Site Unseen”, Bendigo Art Gallery
2002/01/00 Fundere Sculpture Prize Yarra Sculptre Space Melbourne
March 2002 The Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award, Werribee Park
March 2001 Sculpture at Seawinds, Arthurs Seat, Mornington Peninsula
October 2000 National Sculpture Exhibition, Gasworks Park Melbourne
Grants
February 2019 Regional Arts Community Grant
March 2017 Regional Arts Victoria Quick Response Grant
Residencies
Nov 2016 Toolangi Sculpture Trail, Toolangi
Awards
2018 Art in the Vines – Popular Choice Award
2016 Nillumbik Art Award, Highly commended and
Packing room award
2013 Second Prize, Toorak Villlage Sculpture Award
2011 Lorne Sculpture Biennale, MARS Gallery Prize
2011 Moonee Valley aRtECYCLE Award
2009 Regional Artist Award Lorne Sculpture Exhibition
2006 Winner of the Toorak Place Award
2003 Toorak village Sculpture Festival, Highly
Highly Commended
2002 Winner of the world sculpture news prize
2001 The Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award,
Highly Commended and Public Choice
2000 Certificate of Merit, Inaugural Cleveland
Highly Commended
2000 Central Goldfields Sculpture Awards 2000, Highly
Commended
1998 National Gallery of Victoria Trustees Award
1998 Andor Mesaros Sculpture Prize, Highly
Commended
Commissions
2019 City of Port Philip
2018 Mike and Maria Smith, Bellarine VIC
2018 John Henderson, Lorne
2015 Marchese Family, Camberfield VIC
2013 “Sister City Concept”, New Library Project,
Brendigo
2012 “Outrospective” City of Ballarat
2010 Twigs on Main,Romsey
2008 “Habitad” Spaces Design Group, Armadale
2005 “Poles Apart” Deakin University, Burwood Hwy
2004 “The Guardian” Wyndham City Council
2003 “Sculpture by the Creek” Vic Health and
Mt. Alexander Shire
2001 “..and kingdom come” Parks and Wildlife,
Tasmania
2000 FHA Image Design, Melbourne
2000 “Wattle Gully reborn” Parks Victoria, Castlemain
1999 “a plain tree” G.&C. Carpenter, Richmond
Public Presentations/Workshops
2019 ‘Weaving on the Veranda’
2019 Environmental engagement – AABAT – Art in the Bush
2018 CRAFT Victoria – selling yourself
2018 AABAT – Art in the bush, adventure therapy
2016 Montalsvat Arts Festival, Giant Weaving
2016 ‘Phoenix arts project’ Fire recovery program,
Lancefield
2015 Montsalvat, Arts Festival, on creativity
2015 Megafauna-Festival, Lancefield
2015 Beeac – Window Space
2004 AG Ideas, Design conference Melbourne
'Ideas on Design'