COFA scoops the Venice Biennale pool

Three COFA graduates have been selected to take part in the Venice Biennale 2009, along with COFA curator Felicity Fenner.

Alumnus Shaun Gladwell will present his work MADDESTMAXIMVS in the Australian Pavilion. MADDESTMAXIMVS is influenced by the Australian desert landscape, the Mad Max movies, as well as his own experiences in outback Australia and uses performance, video, painting and sculpture.

Also featured in the festival are COFA graduates Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro, both of whom will take part in an exhibition for early career artists, Once Removed.

The exhibition is being created by Felicity Fenner, curator of the Ivan Dougherty Gallery at COFA. It will be held in a former convent in the Castello district and will address themes of displacement, Indigenous and environmental issues.

Speaking of COFA's representation at the Biennale the Dean, Professor Ian Howard said, "I am delighted for our graduates, and also for Felicity. To have so many COFA alumni representing Australia in such a prestigious festival reflects the outstanding standard of our students and staff."

The Venice Biennale is considered to be the most important and prestigious event on the international contemporary visual arts calendar.