Lisa Roet

Ape Fingers, Bronze, 185cm H and 150cm H, Install Karen Woodbury Gallery, Melbourne, Australia (2008)

For over two decades Lisa Roet has won acclaim for her powerful investigations into the complex interface

between humans and our simian relatives.

Lisa has drawn inspiration from a myriad of sources including residencies at major international zoos, field

studies of apes living in the forests of Borneo and most recently a scientific experiment between Lisa and

Cardiff University which was the subject of an exhibition at the White Night Festival in Melbourne in 2014.

Lisa’s multidisciplinary approach to her work has challenged, and continues to challenge, fundamental

scientific and behavioral theories relating to human evolution and creationism, language and communication,

science and art. The relationship between humans and ‘other’ primates has formed the basis for these works.

Notwithstanding the potentially political nature of her subject, Roet never indulges in heavy-handed didacticism.

To the contrary, her art practice is infused with refreshing strength, candor and an inescapable sense of

mystery, poignantly highlighting how inextricably linked humans and primates are amidst the complexity of

biology, nature and culture.

Not surprisingly, Lisa’s explorations into the psychology, behavior and the soul of simian-human relations have

attracted an impressive number of art awards and grants including the prestigious: Geelong Gallery Acquisitive

Print Award, Australia (2013), Deakin University Small Sculpture Award, Australia (2012), Fremantle Print

Award, Australia (2011), McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park Sculpture Survey & Award, Australia (2005),

Mornington Peninsular Regional Gallery, Vic, Australia, National Works on Paper Award, Australian National

Gallery National Sculpture Prize, Australia (2003). She is the recipient of the Australia Council for the Arts,

Creative Partnerships with Asia Grant, 2014.

Since her first show at Querhause Gallery, Berlin in 1992, Lisa has been represented by galleries in Australia,

Belgium, and the USA. Exhibitions have included: Monkey Grip, Deakin University Art Gallery, Melbourne,

which toured various regional galleries throughout Victoria, Australia (2013-14), When I laugh, He laughs

with me, Karen Woodbury Gallery, Melbourne, Australia (2014), Chengdu Biennale, China, 2013, Lisa Roet,

Gow Langsford Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand, In-Sight, Annexe Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2009,

McClelland Sculpture Survey & Award, McClelland Gallery + Sculpture Park, Mornington Peninsula, Australia

(2014, 2005 & 2003), Den Hagg Sculptuur 2007/The Hague Sculpture 2007, The Hague, The Netherlands

(2007),Satellite Project (12 Australian Artists), Shanghai Biennale, China (2006), Kiss of the Beast, Queensland

Art Gallery, Brisbane, Australia (2005), Ape and The Bunnyman, LiebmanMagnan Gallery New York, USA

(2001).

Lisa has also featured in Australian Art Collector’s ‘50 Most Collectible Artists’ and is the subject of a

comprehensive monograph by Alexie Glass titled Lisa Roet: Uncommon Observations that was published

by Thames and Hudson in 2004. Lisa and her work was also the feature of an Australian Broadcasting

Corporation documentary titled APELADY, which was produced by Klaus Toft in 2010 and she is the subject

of a documentary by filmmaker Celeste Geer to be released in 2016.

For further information:

Email: lisaroet@yahoo.com

Mobile +61 0427 090 884

Website: lisaroet.com

Lisa Roet

Primate Hands, Bronze, 100cm x 110cm (2007) IN-SIGHT, Kula Lumpur, WWF Install, Annexe Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2009)

White Ape, 300cm H x 300cm W x 150cm D, Polyeurathane, fiberglass, wood, Gow Langsford Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand (2011)

Bride of the Gorilla 1951, C type/hand coloured, 163cm x116cm (2014) Gibbon Hand 2, Charcoal on silk, 128cm x101cm (2014)

BOKITO, When I laugh he laughs with me, 52cm x60cm x44cm (2014)