Monash University Prato Centre Welcomes Artist in Residence Gian Manik

Gian Manik, photography by Alex Kelaart

Monash University’s Prato Centre (MUPC) and Monash Art, Design and Architecture (MADA) are proud to announce acclaimed Naarm-based artist and Monash Visual Art alum, Gian Manik as the 2025 Monash University Prato Centre Visual Artist in Residence. A collaboration between the MUPC and MADA, this residency is an integral part of the University’s ongoing commitment to contemporary art, design, and architecture, providing an enriching opportunity for both the artist and the Monash community.
Professor Cecilia Hewlett, Director of Monash University Prato Centre says

“The Visual Residency Program is a mainstay of Monash Prato’s community engagement activities and a manifestation of its role as an anchor institution. Prato has a long tradition of innovative artistic research being home to the Luigi Pecci Centre for Contemporary.”

The residency aligns with the core values of Monash Art, Design and Architecture being an open, connected community of creative thinkers, makers and professional practitioners – transforming the world around us. Through this unique residency, Gian’s work will engage directly with MADA’s undergraduate students studying in Prato, allowing for a dynamic exchange of ideas and artistic practices.

Associate Professor Spiros Panigirakis, Head of Fine Art, MADA says

“There is no better artist than Gian Manik to generate new artwork from the rich artistic contexts of Prato. Manik’s practice uses the verisimilitude of painting as a starting point to contest fraught histories and engage visceral and libidinal conditions of the human experience. Manik is making some of the most vital paintings in Australia today. We can’t wait to see what emerges from the residency.”

A fusion of tradition and contemporary painting

Gian’s practice is distinguished by a dextrous approach to image-making, one that defies easy categorisation. Drawing from both high and low culture, his works subvert traditional genres and push the boundaries of Western art history. His exploration of colonial legacies within the canon of painting provides a powerful lens through which he challenges and redefines these entrenched narratives.

Gian’s background is as diverse as his work. Raised in Perth/Boorloo, his formative years were spent closely studying old master paintings, often copying them to develop his skill. His subsequent artistic career has been marked by an ongoing dialogue between tradition and innovation. Gian's work exists within the space where the mundane meets the monumental, and where personal and collective histories collide in powerful visual compositions.

Gian’s residency in Prato will focus on creating new works that interrogate the legacy of “institutional painting,” exploring how contemporary methods and queer frameworks can expand traditional approaches. He intends to integrate a deep engagement with Prato's rich cultural and historical environment.

“This residency is a tremendous honour, and I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity. It comes at a moment in my career that explores skill and labour as a dynamic and plastic tool in painting practice. I see the time spent in Prato as a handshake between the past and the present through research in museums and collections that will result in a new body of work.” says Gian.

Gian Manik, Garra Rufa (2024)

Engaging with the Monash community

As part of his residency, Gian will deliver an initial public presentation on his work and research, allowing the broader Monash community to gain insight into his practice. He will also host workshops, lectures, and exhibitions, giving students the invaluable opportunity to engage in discussions about contemporary painting, the role of art in cultural narratives, and how these ideas manifest in practice.

“I utilise various teaching methods – such as active learning, studio-based, and collaborative – to create engaging and effective learning experiences for my students,” says Gian.

“I hope to inspire them to think beyond their comfort zones and engage in their own learning process, challenging them to question the historical and conceptual underpinnings of their work.”

Gian’s approach to painting, which he describes as a balance of nostalgia, desire, drama, and tragedy, promises to inspire students by encouraging them to explore new ways of expressing complex ideas through visual media. Through the fusion of technique and concept, students will be pushed to refine their practice and engage in meaningful discussions around contemporary art.

Gian Manik, Victory and conflict (2022)

A cultural exchange of ideas

The MUPC is an ideal setting for Gian’s residency, as it offers a unique cultural context for his work. The historic town of Prato, with its deep artistic traditions and proximity to Florence and other important Italian cultural centres, provides a rich backdrop for an artist who is as much inspired by the past as he is by contemporary issues.

For Gian, the residency is also a chance to explore the local culture and to create works that speak to the intersection of different histories and identities. His time in Prato will allow him to further develop his research into the “ontology of institutional painting,” offering a new perspective on the legacy of painting in Western art history.

“I hope to use this residency as a bridge between the past and present, delving into museums and collections, and ultimately producing a new body of work that reflects the intersection of history, memory, and culture.”