Lecturer & Acting Head of Sculpture, Sub Dean

Career Summary

Vella studied at the National Art School, Sydney achieving a Diploma of Fine Arts with Distinction (1993) and then at the Tasmanian School of Art, Hobart completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (with first class honours - 1996) and a Master of Fine Arts in 2000. He lectured in Painting and Drawing at the Tasmanian School of Art from 1998-2000 and was recently appointed to the University as the Acting Head of Sculpture. Vella’s works have been included in 11 solo exhibitions since 1994 and over 40 group exhibitions (since 1993). His work is represented in a number of private and public collections in Australia including ArtBank, the University of NSW and The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Vella has been awarded 3 major competitive commissions through the Art for Public Building Scheme (APBS) and been the recipient of significant, competitive grants from Arts Tasmania and the Australia Council.

Research Interests

Cross-disciplinary research, arts industry / community collaboration and public art.

Teaching

John Vella has lectured extensively across a number of disciplines (including painting and drawing) at the Tasmanian School of Art and has guest lectured at key national tertiary institutions.

He is currently Acting Head of Sculpture at the Tasmanian School of Art and supervises students in the BFA Honours, Masters by Coursework, Master of Art Design and Environment and MFA programmes.