Born in Sierra Leone and raised in Australia, Patricia Piccinini first attained a BA in Economic History at The Australian National University in 1988, and later a BA in Painting at the Victorian College of the Arts in 1991.
Her early and often controversial works drew their inspiration from genetic experimentation and she depicted hybrids that fall somewhere between human beings and animals. Many of these creatures appear in family groups performing normal family activities to forge a relationship with the viewer to consider their social differences and similarities.
Patricia Piccinnini is a leading contemporary artist in Australia. She has exhibited widely within Australia and has featured in international exhibitions.
She was selected as the contemporary artist for the 2003 Venice Biennale to represent Australia.
