Michael Eather

Lives and Works: Brisbane, Queensland Australia

Born and educated in Tasmania and upon graduating from Art College, Michael lived in (Arnhem land) Northern Territory starting his first family, before settling in Brisbane. Since 1985 he has worked as a multi-disciplinary artist as well as a gallerist, project curator and art consultant and University Lecturer with extensive experiences across contemporary Indigenous art forms and issues.

In 1990 he co-founded Campfire Group Projects aligned with collaboration and cross-cultural initiatives. He is Director of FireWorks Gallery, an independent commercial enterprise established in 1993 that networks both nationally and internationally. FireWorks still utilises an active studio workshop for visiting artists undertaking collaborative projects and commissions.

As a practicing artist Michael has had over 70 solo and group exhibitions nationally and internationally. As an academic he has taught and written on subjects associated with contemporary Indigenous art including themes of collaboration. As a curator / project coordinator Eather has delivered major exhibitions at QAGOMA Brisbane; group and solo (touring) exhibitions for Australian Regional galleries; and two (National) survey museum exhibitions for Sammlung Essl, Austria including extensive catalogues and education resources. As an industry ‘entrepreneur’, Michael is particularly focused on the dynamics of education and cultural overlap within all these realms.