Donna Gordge completed a Bachelor of Education (Visual Arts) in 1994, majoring in textiles. These days, Donna still uses textiles techniques and processes, but prefers working with non-traditional materials.
Donna’s current practice takes a range of forms including artist books, sculpture and installation. The themes at the heart of her practice are memory, place and identity. Artefacts, animals and found objects with deep personal meaning often become part of her work. Donna is a storyteller – much of her art is built around narrative snippets, recalled experiences, recollections and reflection.
As an art educator, Donna teaches a broad range of workshops from her Camden Park studio, other sites around South Australia and occasionally interstate. Donna has taught adults and children in all kinds of settings – TAFE, university, primary and secondary school, outreach and community arts programs. Sharing the knowledge gained through her many different creative experiences is one of her favourite things to do. Donna has also been involved in several Creative Recovery programs with bushfire and flood-affected communities in both South Australia and Victoria.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
SOLO:
2025
‘Hollow’ – Murray Bridge Regional Gallery – upcoming
2024
‘Empty Spaces: exploring loss & longing’ – Ngutungka West Lakes
2022
‘Light from Dark Places’ – Mrs Harris’ Shop, Torrensville
2020
‘My story always starts with you’ – Mrs Harris’ Shop, Torrensville
CROSS-DISCIPLINARY COLLABORATIONS:
2023
‘Solace’ – with poet Caroline Reid – Mrs Harris’ Shop, Torrensville
GROUP:
2025
‘Little Reassurances’ – 6 Manton Gallery
‘light _ lightness & the ephemeral’ – Gallery M, Oaklands Park
2024
‘Multiplicity’ – 6 Manton Gallery
‘Artist’s Books’ – Gallery M, Oaklands Park
‘Gallery M Contemporary Art Prize’ – Finalist, Gallery M, Oaklands Park
‘Hills Edge Clay’ – Gallery 1855, Tea Tree Gully
2023
‘Catalogue’ – The Adelaide Remakery, Adelaide
‘Gallery M Contemporary Art Prize’ – Finalist, Gallery M, Oaklands Park
‘Bibliophilia’ – Mrs Harris’ Shop, Torrensville
‘The Pursuit of Happiness’ – West Torrens Auditorium Gallery, Hilton
‘A Conflict of Green’ – Wonderground Barossa, Tanunda
‘Paths Crossed’ – with Creative Exchange participants, 6 Manton Gallery, Hindmarsh
2022
‘Parts Within’ – Pure Earth Café, Adelaide
‘Inside Story – Histories of Home’ – Gallery 1855, Tea Tree Gully
‘Retelling’ – Fabrik Arts + Heritage, Lobethal
‘Westside Stories: Little Galleries’ – Mrs Harris’ Shop & The City of West Torrens, Hilton
‘Westside Stories’ – Mrs Harris’ Shop, Torrensville
‘Unravelled; Paths Crossed, Stories Told’ – with Duck n Weave Artist Collective + Friends, Ginger’s Coffee Studio, Goodwood
2021
‘I See You/You See Me’ – Gallery 1855, Tea Tree Gully
2020
‘Safe Travels’ – with Duck n Weave Artist Collective + Friends, Ginger’s Coffee Studio, Goodwood
‘A Quarter Turn Around the Sun’ – Bachelor of Contemporary Art Students, South Australian School of Art Gallery
‘SALA Stobie Pole Art’ along Jervois Street – Mrs Harris’ Shop, Torrensville
‘Balance’ – with Duck n Weave Artist Collective, Cru Tapas Bar and Kitchen, Goodwood
2019
‘3 X Three’ – with Duck n Weave Artist Collective, Cru Tapas Bar and Kitchen, Goodwood
‘3D Contemporary Art Practice’ – Kaurna Building, University of South Australia, Adelaide
‘All the Small Things’ – with Duck n Weave Artist Collective, Cru Tapas Bar and Kitchen, Goodwood
2018
‘Places Found’ – with Duck n Weave Artist Collective, Cru Tapas Bar and Kitchen, Goodwood
‘Finding Spaces/Holding Places’ – with Duck n Weave Artist Collective, Cru Tapas Bar and Kitchen, Goodwood
2017
‘Looking Beyond’ – with Duck n Weave Artist Collective, Chateau Yaldara, Lyndoch
‘Made by You, For You, With You’ – with Duck n Weave Artist Collective, Ginger’s Vintage Lounge Bar, Goodwood
‘Bouquet’ – with Port Adelaide Artist’s Forum, Gallery Yampu
2016
‘Under The Desk’ – with Duck n Weave Artist Collective, Australian Education Union, Adelaide
2001
‘Pickled Pink Teeth’ – Onkaparinga Institute of TAFE Graduate Show, Bruce Wilson Gallery, Adelaide
1999
‘Teaches Art’ – The Meat Market Gallery, Melbourne
1994
‘Textiles Graduate Exhibition’ – Bachelor of Education: Visual Arts, The Meat Market Gallery, Melbourne
EDUCATION
1994 University of Melbourne – Bachelor of Education (Visual Arts) – Textiles Major
2000 Onkaparinga Institute of TAFE – Selected Studies – Textiles, Clothing & Footwear
2001 TAFESA – Certificate IV in Art Practice (Textiles)
2019-2021 University of South Australia – Selected Studies – Bachelor of Contemporary Art