Tszar (Aaron Ashley) is an interdisciplinary artist whose work explores narrative, connection, alienation, and performance. They also specialize in documenting many forms of contemporary arts through several lenses. Their work is informed by an academic background in the social sciences, a lifetime behind the camera documenting events, and a dark sense of humour.
Their previous work includes event documentation, grant projects, exhibitions, workshops, teaching positions, and publications. They’ve worked with Umbrella Studio, Diffraction Collective, Dancenorth, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Groovin the Moo, Full Throttle Theatre Company, Very Casual, Townsville City Council, and several other clients. They can be followed under Tszar on facebook and on instagram
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
2023 – present | Regional Arts Officer RASNNQ
2022 – present | Content Designer at Dancenorth
2022 – 2022 | Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Dancenorth
2008 – present | Freelance Interdisciplinary Artist
2012 | Photography & Digital Art Teacher at Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE
2009 – 2012 | Design and Development Officer at Umbrella Studio
2010 | Project Manager for Compact Prints 2010 & Students In-case
2008 – 2009 | Project Manager for Tonite We RUN
2007 – 2008 | Business Administration Trainee at Umbrella Studio
EDUCATION
2021 – present | Honours in Sociology at James Cook University
2017 – 2020 | Bachelor of Arts with Distinction – majoring in Sociology and Politics and International Relations from James Cook University
2008 | Business Administration Certificate IV from Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE
AWARDS / GRANTS
2021 | People’s Choice Award in Strand Ephemera 2021 for artwork Scarewood (a collaboration with artist Michael Pope under Tree and Leaf)
2020 | Creative Sparks through Umbrella Studio to creative an innovative online video
2020 | stART Grant (through RASN & QMF) to create 6 new artworks
2011 | Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) Grant to create short films for a collaborative projections exhibition
2011 | Matt Clark Scholarship to travel to Outpost Project 2011
2010 | Starburst Grant through YAQ for short film Maladaptive
2009 | Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) Grant to financially assist with Ignite exhibition and Open Studio
2008 | Ignite Grant through Perc Tucker Regional Gallery to curate group exhibition of young artists
2008 | Artist Run Initiative (ARI) Grant through Arts Queensland for Tonite We RUN project
2006 | Education Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Art, Chroma Regional Encouragement Award
2006 | Townsville Young Artists Awards, First Prize, Open Drawing Section
CURATORIAL PROJECTS
2012 | Audio-Technica Young Artist Exhibition – Umbrella Studio contemporary arts
2010 | Compact Prints 2010, Touring Print Exhibition – Umbrella Studio contemporary arts
2009 | Ignite Youth Exhibition – Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
2008 | ArtGround Frontiers Exhibition – Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
ARTWORK COMMISSIONS
2021 | Safety Net – visual content creation and projection operation for Dancenorth through Diffraction Collective
2018 | The Lines Begin to Blur, Commonwealth games fringe event
2014 | Sinew – Performance at Umbrella Studio
2014 | Artwork for SHIFT project – Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
2011 – 2012 | Artwork for light box installation, Flinders Square, Townsville
2011 | Projections for Flinders Street mall launch, Townsville
ARTIST GROUPS AND INITIATIVES
2013 – Present | Diffraction Collective Inc (FKA Artgaze Lab Inc) – Treasurer
2011 | Volunteer at Artist Run Space Cereal Box
2010 | Volunteer for Renew Townsville
2007 – 2008 | Volunteer at A Little White Space
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2018 | Compact Prints 2018, Umbrella Studio
2016 | Luxlumin, Townsville CBD
2016 | Emergence, James Cook University
2015 | Strand Ephemera, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
2014 | Luxlumin, Townsville CBD
2014 | Compact Prints 2014, Umbrella Studio
2012 | Audio-Technica Young Artist Exhibition, Umbrella Studio
2011 | Decked Out, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
2011 | Strand Ephemera, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
2011 | Interpretation of Nature, Cereal Box
2010 | Compact Prints 2010, Touring print exhibition by Umbrella Studio
2010 | Percival Portrait Award, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
2010 | Live it Now, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
2009 | Ignite Youth Exhibition, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
2009 | Tonite We RUN, Umbrella Studio
2009 | Christmas Propaganda Show, ArtSpaced
2008 | Prints and Pencils, The Space (ARI space at the Bank Court Building in Townsville)
2008 | Travelbug, Little White Space
2008 | Compact Prints 2008, Umbrella Studio
2008 | ArtGround Frontiers, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
2007 | Impulsive, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
2007 | A Pony in the Post Office, Little White Space
2006 | Minister’s Art Awards, Umbrella Studio
2004 & 2006 | Young Artist Awards, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
PUBLICATIONS
2014 | The Music Rag Issue 10, 11, 12 – Editor
2013 – 2014 | Graphic Designer / Photographer / Writer for The Music Rag
2013 | The Essential Bookmarks of Travel – Article for Mayhem Magazine
2013 | World Wars, Walls and Art – Welcome to Berlin – Article for Artgaze Magazine
2011 | Splendour in the Grass – Review for The Place Street Press
CONFERENCES / TALKS
2011 | Flying Arts workshop talk – alongside Anneke Silver
2010 | Australia Council Marketing Summit – Delegate
2009 | Northern Lights Film Festival, James Cook University – Judge
2007 | Young Artist Awards, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery – Judge
WORKSHOPS
2016 | Groovin the Moo Art project – Workshop Facilitator
2014 | Way Out Films, Julia Creek – Workshop Facilitator
2013 | Art-in-a-Suitcase, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery – Workshop Facilitator
2013 | Playing with Paper, Pinnacles Gallery – Workshop Facilitator