Marion Conrow is classicly trained in visual/multimedia arts, she has specialized in projection within sculpture and site specific installation since the 1990’s. Multidisciplinary, the focus is using new and old media that explore a sense of loss of place by capturing memory both real and imagined. Marion rebuilds ghostly holographic environments that are both playful and dark; small objects become giant building blocks, housing memory; humans become ghosts caught in a loop; reflections capture moving of daily life; the mundane, that in future becomes historic. Her unique technique creates holographic sculptures incorporating still and moving visual overlays exploring the interactivity between multiple projections and live performativity.
Marion’s work is evident in art projects nationally and internationally. She completed her BA in 3-D studies & Video at Southern Cross Unversity in 1992 where she won sculpture and broadcast awards for her work in establishing community television regionally and nationally. She has participated in various residencies with Blast Theory (UK), Antagon Aktion Theatre (Frankfurt) and Artspace (NSW) and a two year residency at University of Queensland ‘s Visac laboratory (Immersive VR) funded by Arts Queensland. Notable arts colloborations are with Judy Watson, Suzon Fuks & James Cunnigham (Igneous 1998-2001), and Denis Beaubois “In the Event of Amnesia the City Will Recall”. Also known as Tuxtla for her lush projection architecture featured at clubs and events, clientale include Falls Festival, Tropical Fruits, Family ( Brisbane 2005-2013), clocking up over 500 gigs alongside numerous DJ’s nationally and internationally. This work is symbotic to her creative practice. She has been included at exhibitions QCP (Queensland Centre of Photography), QUT Arts Precinct and the Australian National Museum.
An arts activist Marion was well known for her role in establishing community television regionally and nationally, she founded LINC TV the first regional station to go to air, was active in the Parliamentary use of the sixth television channel (HRSCoTCHI), and became the National Community Television Coordinator at the CBAA ( Community Broadcasting association of Australia) during the roll out of cable and emerging technologies
My professional arts practice since 1980’s has included projection, sculpture, installation, video, immersive vitual reality, community television, creative movement and traditional arts practices. My focus is on creating site and event specific projection installations/sculptures to produce three-dimensional light works, whilst exploring interactivity between multiple projections and live performativity. I have collaborated with many esteemed artists both national and international.
Site and event specific installation work
An evolved process that involves collaboration with others in visual, sound, and performance. My role is to design, produce and choreograph projection material (video and 35mm), undertake complex technical set up and operation. My emphasis is on the creation of 3-d projection sculptures creating the illusion of other worldly suspended light objects. The relationship between the projection imagery and the site or event is explored; as is the effect of combining projection mediums.
Symbiotically my business Tuxtla Visuals has over twenty years and 500 gigs given me extensive technical, creative and production experience in visual imagery specifically for projection installation. I create lush intimate to large scale multimedia projection installations for venues and events, my unique layering of ‘ghosting’ images in three dimensional site specific space utilises 35mm,video and sculpture. I have worked with numerous major national and international DJ’s and events.
EDUCATION:
1994 Bachelor Degree in Media & Fine Arts (Sculpture & Video) – Southern Cross University
1991 Electric Arc Welding Certificate – Lismore TAFE
1989 Technical Production Certificate (sound & lighting) – Lismore TAFE
1983 Ceramic design – Chisholm Institute (Monash University)
LANGUAGES:
English & Spanish
AWARDS & Grants
2015 Epicormia Collective Arts NSW
2006 Arts Queensland creative develoment UQ Visac residency Quiverr
2005 Arts Queensland creative development UQ Visac residency Quiverr
1998 Australia Council for Arts grant for video documentary Artwise
1993 Southern Cross University Media & Writing Award
1992 Southern Cross University Union Sculpture Award
MAIN SKILLS:
Projection sculpture & site specific installation
Video and 35mm still projection artist and technician
Video production – camera, vision mixing, editor Media 100 and Final Cut Pro, Sculpture, painting, set design
Community and arts project management
ARTS EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
2016 First Ad for Grayson Cookes film performance “Bonnywood Rising” as part of Arts Northern Rivers “If These Halls Could Talk” project.
2016 Key artist -projection installation for REAL ART WORKS “Homecoming” project.
2016 Community liasion/ artist for Arts Northern Rivers Bonalbo “If These Halls Could Talk “ project.
2016 Projection artist for Phillip Channels Corner Dance Lab intensive.
2015 Projection Installation artist Tropical Fruits NYE party
2015 Projection installation artist on MY HOUSE with Stephen Allkins
2015 Epicormia Collective development of work exploring my MTBI.
2014 Byron Bay Falls Festival large scale projection installation “Quirk”
2014 Customised Projection installations & VJ Tropical Fruits New Years
1998 – current Owner Operator Tuxtla Video and Visuals Lismore NSW.
2014 Included in SCU 20 year annivesary documentation for community television
2013 resident projection artist Red Rattler Sydney NSW.
2012 Technical officer Music Department ( SASS), Southern Cross University
2012 Tropical Fruits main VJ and Installation artist.
2011 development of 3-D Fish projection sculptures
2011 resident artist at Global Carnival Bellingen festival.
2008 Bloody Bride Video & Projection artist Norpa Lismore NSW
2008 3d Metal mesh projection installation “lotus” “ Family –Brisbane QLD
2007 “ Loaded “ interactive VR collaboration – Digital Salon, QUT Arts precinct.
2007 Exhibition Figuratively Speaking, QUT Arts Precinct alongside Judith Wright & Daniel Crooks
2003-7 Residency at University Queensland ViSAC immersive virtual reality lab (Arts Queenland)
2006 Exhibition @ Queensland Centre for Photography – Red Shed
2004-6 arts development @RedShed Studios shared with Judy Watson.
2006-Exhibition – Pink Feather Duster as part of Slit for Mardi Gras –Syd.
2006 Video work for Judy Watsons “ Sketchbook 2006 – Vic Arts Centre
2005 Visuals for Circa- Brisbane
2005-2001 Video editor, Media 100 & Final Cut Pro, Metro Screen, Sydney
2005-2001 Tutor, Channel Free video workshops for youth, Metro Screen 2005 studio residency /exhibition develop “Objectification sooo sick of bein’ jus’ sexy)
2004 Exhibition pink feather duster – National Museum Canberra
2004-7 resident artist – Family Night club – Brisbane QLD
2003 residency Artspace Studio Ministry NSW – Sydney
2003 Powerhouse wall video installation, collaboration with Eddie Kay (DV8)
2002-2000 Video documentation & technician, D’lux Media Arts, Sydney
2002 Desert Rain, Blast Theory’s (UK) Skills Exchange Lab, Artspace, Sydney
2001 Thanatonauts residency, collaboration with Igneous, Suzon Fuks(Latitude Festival), Brisbane Powerhouse.
2001 TILT Festival, collaborating artist for D’lux Media Arts
2001 Curator, D’Art screening of international video art for D’lux Media Arts -Sydney Film Festival
2000 Scenic Artist for 2000 Olympic Games Closing Ceremonies– Sydney
1998-2000 The Hands Project, multimedia artist for Igneous, Lismore & Sydney.
2000 A Public Hanging, a 4 day event in the old Adelaide gaol for the Adelaide Fringe Festival, ghost installations and video documentation.
1998-1999 Video maker (all aspects), Lismore to LA, Documentary on Art wise (differently abled artists) journey to Art & Soul Festival USA
1998 Stratus, collaboration with Leah Grycewisz and Marnie Orr, Cairns
1997 Residency and Video maker (all aspects), Tu Fome Tu Vida, Documentary on Antagon Aktion (Frankfurt) Theatre Brazilian Tour, Brazil
1996 In the Event of Amnesia the City Will Recall, video & broadcast artist with Denis Beaubois
1995-1996 National Co-ordinator Community Television, Community Broadcasting Association of Australia. Sydney1995
1995 Facilities Technician, Metro Screen
1995 Demonstrator’s Ball, pirate TV broadcast installation(David Rogers)
1989-1994 Originator and Station Manager, LINC TV. Lismore.
1993-4, Sydney Mardi Gras, Laser mirror sculpture assistant Geoffrey Rose
1991 Aussie VR International Virtual Reality convention, Melbourne, Artist/Tech
1990 Virtual Reality Theatre and One Extra Dance, Artist/Tech in SGI & movement sensors
1987 Gallery Assistant, Latrobe Valley Regional Art Gallery – Morwell, Victoria.
1884
MENTORS
Judy Watson ( QLD),Jude Row Farr( Blast Theory UK), Suson Fuks, Virginia Barratt, Julie Martin & Geoffery Rose. Of note i worked for Igneous -Suzon Fuks and under her mentorship created most of the imagery for projects 2001-4.