Jessie DiBlasi is a photographic artist, writer and curator based in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia that creates work that is deeply engrained in social documentary, multicultural history, tradition and collaborations that seek to present and preserve them. Since publishing Nonna to Nana in 2014, celebrating the traditions, histories, and recipes of a fast-disappearing generation of matriarchs, she has been invited to present, document and exhibit nationally and internationally as she continues to create long-form projects.
Jessie lives and works on the unceded traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people and respectfully acknowledges elders past, present and emerging.
Contact
jessie<at>jessiediblasi.com
Education
2018 Graduate Diploma in Adult and Vocational Education, Charles Sturt University
2016 Certificate IV in Small Business Management, RMIT University
2011 Diploma of Photo Imaging, RMIT University
2010 Certificate IV in Photo Imaging, RMIT University
2002 Bachelor of Applied Science (Hospitality Studies) with Distinction, RMIT University
Books + Publications
2024 Surrounding (Julie Millowick), The Longdog Collective, Melbourne, VIC
2022 Jungle Love, self-published, Magnetic Island, QLD
2021 United: Issue 1, published by Work, Show, Grow, London, UK
2019 Loud and Luminous, MementoPro, Sydney, NSW
2016 Compendium, RMIT University School of Media + Communication, Melbourne, VIC
2014 Nonna to Nana: Stories of Food and Family, self-published
Selected Exhibitions
Artist
2022 Despatch Exhibition (group show), New Forest, UK
2022 Jungle Love, Jungle Club (group show), Magnetic Island, QLD
2021 Urban Eats, Counihan Gallery (group show), Brunswick, VIC
2021 The 66th Blake Prize, Casula Powerhouse (group show), Casula, NSW
2019 Loud and Luminous (group show), Head on Festival, Sydney, NSW
2018 Nonna to Nana: Stories of Food and Family, (solo show) VU MetroWest, Footscray, VIC
2017 Maggie Diaz Photography Prize for Women (group show), St Kilda, VIC
2016 MAMA Art Foundation National Photography Prize (group show), Albury, NSW
2016 Head On Awards, Museum of Sydney (group show), Sydney, NSW
2016 Victory! Women Artists working in Victoria (group show) curated by Christine McFetridge, Gaffa Gallery, Sydney, NSW
2016 The 64th Blake Prize – Director's Cut, Casula Powerhouse (group show), Casula, NSW
2014 Nonna to Nana: Stories of Food and Family, (solo show) Head On Photo Festival (10X8 Gallery), Chippendale, NSW
2013 Iris Award, Perth Centre for Photography (group show), Northbridge, WA
2012 23rd Muswellbrook Photographic Award (group show), Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre, Muswellbrook, NSW
2010 newNorth Photography Prize (group show), NewNorth Gallery, Fairfield, VIC
Curator
2021 Urban Eats, Counihan Gallery (group show), Brunswick, VIC
2018 Nonna to Nana: Stories of Food and Family, VU MetroWest, Footscray, VIC
2017–2019 Write it! Shoot it! Show it!, Building 94 Photography Studios, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC
2017–2019 Diploma Photo Imaging End of Year Exhibition, Building 94 Photography Studios, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC (co-curators: Robert Gale, Naomi Herzog & Kirsty McAfee)
2013–2016 Photo Imaging VE (Vocational Education) Graduate in Residence, Design Hub, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC (co-curator: Robert Gale)
2014 Nonna to Nana: Stories of Food and Family, Head On Photo Festival (10X8 Gallery), Chippendale, NSW
Grants & Awards
2022 Making Space Grant, Moreland City Council, Brunswick, VIC
2021 Finalist, The 66th Blake Prize, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, NSW
2019 Commendation, RMIT Vice Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Teaching, Melbourne, VIC
2019 Winner, RMIT Vice Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Learning & Teaching – Innovation in Vocational Education, Melbourne, VIC
2018 Pitch Tank Grant, Education Portfolio, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC
2018 Semi Finalist, Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize, Sydney, NSW
2017 Vet Development Centre (VDC) Skills First Academic Grant, Melbourne, VIC
2017 Victoria University (VU) MetroWest Exhibition Grant, Footscray, VIC
2017 Finalist, Maggie Diaz Photography Prize for Women, Brightspace Gallery, VIC
2016 Finalist, MAMA Art Foundation National Photography Prize, Albury, NSW
2016 Finalist, Head On Awards (Mobile Photography Category), Chippendale, NSW
2016 Semi Finalist, The 64th Blake Prize Director’s Cut, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, NSW
2015 Finalist, Momento Pro: Australian PhotoBook Of The Year Award, Centre for Contemporary Photography, VIC
2013 Finalist, Iris Award, Perth Center for Photography, WA
2013 Winner, Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year (food for celebration), London, UK
2012 Finalist, 23rd Muswellbrook Photographic Award, Muswellbrook, NSW
2011 Winner, As Modern As Tomorrow Photographic Award, State Library Victoria, VIC
Residences
2022 Jungle Club Residency, Magnetic Island, QLD
2022 Police Point Artist in Residence Program, Portsea, VIC
2022 Making Space Program, Siteworks, Brunswick, VIC
2021 Jungle Club Residency, Magnetic Island, QLD
2021 Despatch Residency (virtual participant), Lyndhurst, UK
Selected talks & Public Programs
2024 Panelist, Melbourne Art Book Fair, Castlemaine Art Museum: Collaborative Publishing of Surrounding, Castlemaine, VIC
2022 Artist talk, Old Year New Public Program, Police Point, Portsea, VIC
2022 Public program, Old Year New: Christmas in June, Making Space, Siteworks, Brunswick, VIC (co-presented with Robert Gale)
2021 Artist talk (online), The Long Goodbye, Work Show Grow Salon 07, London, UK
2021 Artist talk, Urban Eats, Counihan Gallery, Brunswick, VIC
2021 Artist talk, Urban Eats, Moreland Local Food Network, Counihan Gallery, Brunswick VIC
2020 Artist talk, National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, IND
2018 Interview, ABC Sunday Multicultural Cook-off, Hellenic Museum, Melbourne, VIC
2018 Public Program and Artist Talk, Nonna to Nana, Victoria University (VU) MetroWest, Footscray, VIC
2018 Public Program (photography & live cooking workshop), Victoria University (VU) MetroWest, Footscray, VIC
2016 Panelist, Melbourne Food + Wine Festival – Immigration Museum, Melbourne, VIC
2016 Interview, Afternoons with Clare Bowditch, 774 ABC Melbourne, VIC
2015 Presenter, Multimedia Art and Design Conference, Hepburn Springs, VIC
2015 Artist talk, Melbourne Food + Wine Festival – Rosa’s Kitchen, Melbourne, VIC
2014 Artist talk, Nonna to Nana, Head on Photo Festival, Chippendale, NSW
2014 Artist talk, Melbourne Now: Community Hall, NGV, Melbourne, VIC
2014 Interview, ABC Riverina Breakfast, ABC Wagga Wagga, NSW
2013-2016 Artist talk, Top Designs, Melbourne Museum, Melbourne, VIC
Collections
State Library of Victoria, National Library of Australia, Asia-Pacific Photobook Archive, RMIT University Library, Private collections in Australia and overseas.