Marynes Avila is an Australian, Argentinean born, Mornington Peninsula based multi-award

winning artist renowned for her socially engaged and site-specific practice, which weaves

together art and science. Taking inspiration from the wonders of nature and its forms, Avila

addresses themes of multiplicity, identity and ethnicity offering an inquisitive platform to

often question the consequences of human imprint in the age of the Anthropocene.

 

Utilizing various mediums such as meticulous drawing, sculpture, microphotography,

video, photography and dance, Avila creates immersive installations that challenge

viewers to contemplate the relationship between individuals, communities, and the natural

environment. Installed in site-specific configuration varying from landscapes to

architectural spaces, Avila’s work explores the close relationship between the notions of

multiplicity in nature, a sense of place and belonging.

Avila’s formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Education - Contemporary Dance from

UAI University, Buenos Aires, Argentina, obtaining a Scholarship for Academic Excellence

& Professional Practice; a Diploma of Arts -Visual Arts from Chisholm Institute, Frankston

where she was awarded the Monyx Best Overall Portfolio Prize and a Masters of Arts - Art

in Public Space with Distinction from RMIT University.

 

With a prolific exhibition history spanning Australia and overseas, Avila has held 18 solo

exhibitions, participated in over 63 group shows, and executed numerous national public

art commissions, along with delivering public art installations globally.

 

The artist has been the recipient of numerous awards, grants, and commissions.

National art awards and grants include the 2023 Frankston City Council’s Artist Project

Grant; the 2023 Mornington Peninsula Shire Council DRIFT Public Art Commission; the

2022 Yarra Valley Grammar Hearing Unit 50th Anniversary Public Art Commission; the

2022 Mount Eliza Sculpture Trail Prize; the 2022 Toorak Village Traders Association

Sculpture Award; the 2020 Architects for Peace Interventionist Award supported by the City

of Yarra; the 2018 Toorak Traders Association Sculpture Award; the 2016 City of Knox’s

Immerse Prize; the Moreland Sculpture Grant 2013; the 2009 Moreland Ephemeral Art

Award; and the 2008 TVSA Worrell’s Mercedes Benz and Melbourne Weekly Magazine

Prize.

 

Furthermore, Avila has being a finalist in numerous high profile exhibition awards such as

the 2022 SculptureScape Award at the Lorne Sculpture Biennale; the 2022 Incinerator Art

Award: Art for Social Change Prize; the 2021 Victoria Sculpture Prize at the Gippsland Art

Gallery; the Yering Station Sculpture Award (2023; 2022; 2019; 2018; 2017; 2011; 2009;

2008); the Montalto Sculpture Prize (2018; 2009), the Toorak Village Sculpture Awards

(2013, 2009); the 2010 Toyota Artist Travel Grant; the Toyota Sculpture Prize (2012; 2011;

2010; 2009); the 2009 Wangaratta Current Sculpture Biennial; the 2005 McClelland

Gallery & Sculpture Park Senini Art Award among others.

 

Avila has been selected to undertake numerous prestigious national and international

residencies.

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International residences include the Shaanxi University of Art and Textiles AiR in China

supported by RMIT University; the Ayatana AIR collaborating with scientists at the Ottawa

University’s Laboratory for Biophysical Manipulation, Canada; the Aktuelle Architektur der

Kultur Centro Negra AIR in Murcia, Spain supported by the City of Blanca and the Spanish

Consulate in Melbourne, and the Proyecto ‘Ace AIR in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

 

National residencies include residencies such as the Police Point Shire Park

Gatekeeper’s Cottage AiR supported by the Mornington Peninsula Shire; the Toolangi

Sculpture Trial 20th Anniversary AiR supported by the Australian Government and Parks

Victoria; the Gunyah AIR in NSW; the Heritage Hill AiR supported by the City of Greater

Dandenong; the King’s Bridge Cottage AiR in Tasmania supported by the Launceston City

Council; the Bayside City AiR at the Billilla Mansion supported by the Bayside City

Council; ; the Nillumbik Shire Council & Parks Victoria’s Laughing Waters AiR; the

Incinerator’s Art Centre AiR supported by the City of Moonee Valley; the Hill End AiR

supported by the Bathusrt Regional Gallery & National Parks, and the Mount Wilson Old

School AiR supported by the NSW Government through the Heritage Near Me Program &

the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre among others.

 

The artist is an experienced educator and a Masters of Art external examiner at RMIT

University Public Art Unit.

Avila’s work is included in public and private collections in Australia and abroad.