ABOUT
Personal Profile
Shanti Gelmi is a multidisciplinary conceptual artist who explores the intricate
dynamics of human connection, identity, and behaviour. Through a diverse
range of mediums—including installation, digital art, sculpture, print and
drawing—she uses form and structure as metaphors for the
interconnectedness of our lives, memories, and experiences; alongside
examining the social frameworks that shape these connections.
Shanti’s approach is both meditative and experimental, characterised by
questioning, contemplation and meticulous crafting. This process has led her
to develop a personal visual language that captures the many layers of our
existence—biological, environmental, cultural, societal and emotional. Her
openness in revealing her own experiences fosters discussion and shared
connection, making her art both welcoming and relatable. Her artworks invite
viewers to engage personally with complex and contemplative ideas,
encouraging a deeper connection through shared experience, interaction and
reflection.
A first-generation Australian of Indian migrants, Shanti often focuses on the
struggle to preserve cultural heritage while assimilating into Australian
society. This personal experience informs her exploration of identity,
particularly in understanding and reflecting on the impact of colonisation,
migration and assimilation.
Shanti completed her Bachelor of Contemporary Arts at Edith Cowan
University in 2020, and her work is part of the University’s Art Collection. She
has received numerous awards and funding opportunities and has been
featured in national and international publications. In 2021, she was
commissioned by the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts to transform her
solo exhibition ‘Shadowed’ into a Virtual Reality experience, which launched
in 2022.
​
I live and work in Boorloo (Perth), Western Australia on the lands of the Whadjuk people of the Nyoongar nation and pay my respects to the traditional custodians of this country.
​
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Contemporary Art, Edith Cowan University, 2020
Bachelor of Science (Psychology), Curtin University of Technology, 1996
​
GRANTS
2025 DLGSC Grant for Creative Development - Holmes Studio -31.988780 116.016100
2022 Australia Council for the Arts - Digital Skills x Melbourne International Games Week
2022 DLGSC Grant for Creative Development - Extricate
2021 DLGSC Grant for Creative Development - Shadowed
2019 New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant to study Art in Shanghai
​
AWARDS
202023 Small Sculpture Prize, Exclusive Escapes Holiday Homes, Commended
2023 Sculpture by the Bay, Braeco Sales Darn Art Recycle Award, Commended
2022 Lions Art Prize, 3D Category Winner
2021 Sculpture on the Scarp, First Prize
2020 National Association for the Visual Arts Award
2020 Nomination for Hatched: National Graduate Show 2021
2020 Megalo Print Studio, Future Proof Graduate Award
Ellenbrook- Swan Art Award 2020, Most outstanding artwork in the Works on Paper category
2020 Lions Art Prize , Highly Commended, 2D Category
2020 Lions Art Prize, Highly Commended, 3D Category
2019 Darlington Open Art Exhibition First Prize for Mixed Media, Drawing & Printmaking
​
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2021 Shadowed, Cool Change Contemporary
2021 Laced, Residency Exhibition, REmida Perth
2021 Beverley Station Gallery, Beverley
2020 Mountain Co-op, Perth
2020 ECU Femme Collection, The Library, Edith Cowan University
​
COMMISSIONS
2022 Shadowed, Virtual Reality Experience, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art
Various Private Commissions
​
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 Flesh, Ellenbrook Arts, Ellenbrook
2023 Placemarks, Gallery 25, ECU Galleries, Mt Lawley
2023 (Re)Borrowing Arrows with Thatched Boats, Moores Building Contemporary Art Space, Fremantle
2023 Tracing Absence, Kent Street Gallery, Victoria Park
2023 Herenow23:In-Between-ness, ECU Galleries, Mount Lawley
2022, 2021, 2019 Sculpture on the Scarp, Darlington
2022, 2019 Castaways Maquette and Small Sculpture Exhibition, Rockingham Arts Centre
2022 Extricate, Mundaring Arts Centre
2022 Minnawarra Art Award, Armadale
2022 HERENOW22: Outside In, Spectrum Project Space, Mount Lawley
2021 All That Remains, Ellenbrook Arts, Ellenbrook
2021 Hatched: National Graduate Show 2021, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, Northbridge
2021 Future Proof: National Graduate Online Exhbition, Megalo Print Studio, Kingston
2021 Vasse Art Awards - Vasse Primary School
2020 Busselton Art Award, Finalist - Art Geo Gallery
2020 ArtsHUM, Edith Cowan University Graduate Exhibition
2020 Bodies of Work, Printmakers Association of WA, Fremantle
2020 Between the Sheets : Artists' Books - Gallery Central, Perth
2020 WOMXN - Spectrum Project Space, Edith Cowan University
2020 Sculpture by the Bay, Dunsborough 2020 Lions Art Prize - Zig Zag Gallery, Kalamunda
2019 Finalist, Emerging Artist Award - City of South Perth
2019 Between the Sheets: Artist s' Books - Gallery East & Gallery Central, Northbridge
2019 Turning Pages - Spectrum Project Space, Edith Cowan University
2019 Lions Art Prize - Zig Zag Gallery , Kalamunda
2019 Connection with a side of Dementia - Spectrum Spaces, Edith Cowan University
2018 Corner - Spectrum Project Space, Edith Cowan University
2018 Contemporary Print Media Award, Fremantle
2017 Connection - Spectrum Spaces , Edith Cowan University
2016 (Un)edited & (Un)limited Cultural Reproduction - Breathing Space Gallery, Library, Edith Cowan University
2016 Makuru - Zig Zag Gallery, Kalamunda
2009 Swan Art Prize - Midland Junction Arts Centre 2009 Certalicious - The Junction Art Gallery , Swan TAFE
​
ARTS / COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER
Current - Artist Advisory Group, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA)
Current - Committee Member, Print Council of Australia
2022 Darlington Arts Festival
2019 Art Workshop Coordinator, Haemophilia Association of WA Family Camp 2018 Exhibition Coordinator
2019 CommitteeMember, Printmakers Association of WA (PAWA)
2016-2018 Gallery Attendant, Spectrum Project Space & Gallery 25, Edith Cowan University
2017-2018 Chair, Parents and Friends Committee, Mary's Mount Primary School
​
​
Photo Credit - Laura Sikes