Brigita Ozolins

Biography

Brigita's academic career started in the 1970s when she completed a BA at Monash University majoring in the classics. After moving to Hobart in 1983, she studied librarianship at the University of Tasmania. She subsequently worked for the State Library of Tasmania and for Glenorchy City Council as an arts administrator where she established the Moonah Arts Centre and organised events such as Symphony Under the Stars. In the mid 1990s, Brigita returned to study at the University of Tasmania's School of Art. She was awarded the University Medal and an APA scholarship in 1999, and her PhD, completed in 2004, was awarded the Dean's commendation. Brigita began sessional teaching in theory and studio subjects at the University in 2000. She is now a Senior Lecturer and a core member of the Art Theory team, supervising postgraduates as well teaching undergraduates. She has undertaken a range of administrative roles, including First Year Art Theory Coordinator, Chair of the Plimsoll Gallery and Art Forum Committees, Acting Honours Coordinator, and Acting Lead Coordinator for Learning and Teaching. Brigita is actively engaged in the wider arts community, regularly opening exhibitions, giving public presentations, and supporting Arts Tasmania as a Peer Assessor.

Research Interest

Brigita's research aligns with University's theme of Creativity, Culture and Society. It is concerned with visually exploring the paradoxical nature of the relationships between language, history, bureaucracy and identity, themes that stem from her interests in the symbolism of the book, the word and the library. To convey her ideas, Brigita uses a wide range of materials including books, handwriting, video, digital imagery, sound, furniture, office equipment and signwriter's vinyl. Her work usually takes the form of installation, is often text-based and site-specific, and sometimes incorporates ritualistic writing performances.