Dr Troy Ruffels is a visual artist, academic and researcher interested in how experience and perception of place and atmosphere shapes knowledge and understanding of the environment. Through practice-led research, Troy asks 'what it is to exist and inhabit this place of lutruwita/Tasmania - and by extension, the world? Troy has spent his life committed to the arts and remains fascinated with ideas of place-based immersion. For Troy, more than any other discipline, the creative arts can represent 'truth'. He has a steadfast belief in culture as a means of enabling social and environmental change. His research and art allow people to see how we can come to know a subject through altering our modes of engagement and emotional perception.

Troy is a highly awarded artist. His career has led to significant exhibitions in Australia and internationally, with work exhibited in 25 solos and over 200 group exhibitions in over a dozen countries, and a long list of awards, prizes, and commissions.

Biography

Troy Ruffels was born in Devonport in 1972 on the North West Coast of Tasmania but spent years travelling and studying before returning to the North West and the township of Forth after completing his PhD in 2003.

Troy studied at the Tasmanian School of Art in Hobart, where he was awarded his BFA Honours degree in 1996, majoring in printmaking, painting and digital media. Troy was selected for the Museum of Contemporary Art's Annual Primavera exhibition (1997) before being recognised for his contribution to the cultural sector in 1998 when awarded Young Tasmanian of the Year (Arts Category). Between 1997 and 2000, Troy participated in several international touring exhibitions across Europe, the UK and the USA. In 2000 Troy was awarded a prestigious 12-month Anne and Gordon Samstag International Visual Art Scholarship (2000) that enabled him travel to Glasgow, Scotland, to study and exhibit. Troy returned to Tasmania, completing a Doctorate at the School of Creative Arts at the University of Tasmania. He worked as a curator at the Devonport Regional Gallery between 2003 and 2007, dispersed with international arts residencies: memorably the 12-month Rimbun Dahan Residency program in Malaysia supported by Angela and Hijjas Kasturi - an experience that left a lasting impression on his life. Troy joined the University of Tasmania College of Media and Arts at the Inveresk campus in 2007 as Head of Photomedia.

Troy feels grateful for the support he has received over many years of practice. Teachers, peers, colleagues, friends, gallerists, curators, collectors, philanthropists, government and private organisations, and treasured audiences have provided much encouragement. In particular, Troy feels a deep sense of gratitude to the University of Tasmania - as a first in the family University Graduate from the North West Coast of Tasmania - the opportunity to study and the support received indelibly changed his life.

His award-winning photography and paintings are held in private and public collections nationally and internationally - locally, The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, The Queen Victorian Museum and Art Gallery, the Devonport Regional Gallery, Burnie Regional Gallery, the University of Tasmania and State Government Collections.

Troy is an active member of the Tasmanian arts community. He was the founding Chair of Sawtooth ARI, Launceston, and has participated in numerous artist-run studio and gallery spaces - is a regular judge for many art prizes, and active advocate for contemporary art and public speaker.

Career summary

Qualifications

Memberships

Professional practice

Troy is an active member of the Tasmanian arts community. He was the founding Chair of Sawtooth ARI, Launceston, and has participated in numerous artist-run studio and gallery spaces - he is a regular judge for art prizes and an an advocate for contemporary art through frequent roles in public speaking.

Administrative expertise

As Head of Photomedia Studio for fourteen years, Honours Coordinator for five years, and fifteen years of involvement with the 3rd Year Major study program, Troy has a wealth of experience in administration and management. Troy has assisted in developing numerous new degrees and degree revitalisations and is called an expert panel member at other Universities nationwide for course advice.  He has served on numerous administrative panels, including research and residency committees in his time at the University. Troy was the founding Chair of Sawtooth ARI, a 5-year investment in administration and governance that saw the emergence and flourishing of a nationally recognised Artist Run Initiative.

Teaching

Teaching expertise

Troy considers working in an art school as a privilege and celebrates the opportunity to educate. As a teacher, Troy encourages practice-led, critical, reflective, and open learning techniques. Troy has over 15 years of experience teaching at Undergraduate, Honours and Post-Graduate levels. Troy was head of Photomedia for 14 years and Honours Coordinator for five years. Troy has a diverse skill base that enables teaching across painting, drawing, print digital media, and photography. His knowledge of art practice extends well beyond these.

Research Invitations

2021: Visual Methodologies: Meaningful Arts-based research that makes a difference – CALE Research Development, Social Science (UTAS)

2020: Lumina Artist Forums, Australia