Profiles
Yvette Watt
Yvette Watt
Head of Studio, Senior Lecturer - Painting
Art | School of Creative Arts and Media
Room 3.23 , Centre for the Arts, Painting Department
Yvette Watt's research focuses on the intersection of Animal Studies (also know as Human-Animal Studies), the visual arts and activism. Yvette has developed a substantial national and international profile for her research in this area, with her artwork and written publications regularly cited by other scholars and included in curated exhibitions.
Yvette has been lecturing at the School of Creative Arts, Hunter St since 1999, primarily in the painting department. She currently teaches painting at all levels from undergraduate through to postgraduate.
Yvette has held numerous solo exhibitions and has been the recipient of a number of grants and awards. Her work is held in a many public and private collections including Parliament House, Canberra, Artbank and the Art Gallery of WA.
Yvette is a co-editor of, and contributor to the collection of essays titled Considering Animals: Contemporary Studies in Human-Animal Relations (Ashgate, 2011) and was commissioned to contribute an entry on 'Art, Animal and Ethics' for the Encyclopaedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare, (Marc Bekoff ed., Greenwood Press, 2009).
Career summary
Qualifications
| Degree | Title of Thesis | University | Country | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhD | Fine art | University of Tasmania | Australia | 2009 |
| MFA | University of Tasmania | Australia | 2003 | |
| BEd | Art | Curtin University | Australia | 1984 |
Memberships
Professional practice
Member, Editorial Advisory Board, Animal Studies Journal
Committee associations
- Committee Member (Treasurer), Australian Animal Studies Group 2009 – 2015
- Committee Member Minding Animals Australia
Other
- Co-Director, UTAS Multidisciplinary Environment Research Group (MERG)
- International Associate, New Zealand Centre for Human-Animal Studies, University of Canterbury
Teaching
Painting, Drawing
Teaching expertise
Yvette was awarded Teaching Merit Certificates, in 2013 and 2014
Teaching responsibility
Studio Coordinator, Drawing. Coordinator and Lecturer, Painting 2.
View more on Dr Yvette Watt in WARP
Expertise
Yvette's primary research interests are based in the burgeoning area of scholarly study known as human-animal studies (HAS). She has been actively involved in animal advocacy since the mid 1980s, and her artwork is heavily informed by her activism and her interest in the changing nature of human-animal relations. Her research also reflects an interest in the relationship between how nonhuman animals are depicted and what this might have to say about how these animals are thought about and treated. Related to this is an interest in the role that art can play in engaging the viewer with social and/or political issues.
Yvette is a committee member of the Australian Animal Studies Group and the UTAS Animals and Society Study Group.
Research Themes
Yvette's research aligns with the University's research themes of Creativity, Culture and Society; Maritime; and Environment, Resources and Sustainability.
Current projects
In July 2016 Yvette will convene a panel for the Animaladies conference on the intersection between art, animals and activism. She will also present a paper on the gendered nature of artists who feature animals in their artwork, which will develop upon data that was revealed in a survey of artists who feature animals, which was conducted in mid 2014 as part of her research for a chapter in the book Critical Perspectives in Meat Cultures (Annie Potts ed. Brill, forthcoming). Aimed at professional artists who feature animals in their work, the survey, was undertaken to provide evidence of and reasons for a perceived under-representation of 'farm' animals in the work of artists who feature animals in their work. However it also revealed a significant gender bias, with almost 80% of the respondents identifying as female. This is in keeping with the gender breakdown across the animal protection/advocacy movement but is in stark contrast to the gender bias in the visual arts in general which is closer to even, if not more heavily weighted towards men.
Yvette is currently part of a research team with Dr Siobhan O'Sullivan (UNSW) and Dr Fiona Probyn-Rapsey (USyd) conducting a survey of Animal Studies scholars which will help build a picture of the different ways that Animal Studies is currently developing as a field, and the types of practitioners and practices it attracts and enables. The research also aims to find out more about how institutions (be they universities, colleges or research networks) support the work that is being done in Animal Studies today.
Fields of Research
- Fine arts (360602)
- Bioethics (500101)
- Performance art (360603)
- Visual cultures (360104)
- Photography, video and lens-based practice (360604)
- Ecocriticism (470509)
- Cultural theory (470207)
- Communication and media studies (470199)
- Crafts (360601)
- Art history, theory and criticism (360199)
- Art criticism (360101)
- Gender relations (440504)
- Cultural and creative industries (470204)
- Culture, representation and identity (470208)
Research Objectives
- The creative arts (130103)
- Environmental ethics (130303)
- Expanding knowledge in language, communication and culture (280116)
- Recreation and leisure activities (excl. sport and exercise) (130603)
- Other culture and society (139999)
- Gender and sexualities (230108)
- Bioethics (130301)
- Expanding knowledge in creative arts and writing studies (280122)
- Other education and training (169999)
- The performing arts (130104)
- Expanding knowledge in human society (280123)
- Environmentally sustainable animal production (100199)
- Teacher and instructor development (160303)
Publications
Total publications
54
Highlighted publications
(5 outputs)| Year | Type | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Chapter in Book | Watt Y, 'Duck Lake project: art meets activism in an anti-hide, anti-bloke, antidote to duck shooting', Animaladies: gender, animals, and madness, Bloomsbury Academic, L Gruen and F Probyn-Rapsey (ed), New York, NY, pp. 203-218. ISBN 9781501342165 (2019) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2018 | Journal Article | Watt Y, O'Sullivan S, Probyn-Rapsey F, 'Should we eat our research subjects? Advocacy and animal studies', Animal Studies Journal, 7, (1) Article 9. ISSN 2201-3008 (2018) [Refereed Article] | |
| 2016 | Chapter in Book | Watt Y, 'Down on the Farm: Why do Artists Avoid Farm' Animals as Subject Matter?', Meat Culture, Brill, Potts A (ed), Netherlands, pp. 163-183. ISBN 9789004325869 (2016) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2015 | Chapter in Book | Watt Y, 'Animal Factories', The Art of The Animal, Lantern Books, Eddy K, Watson LA and O'Rourke J (ed), New York, pp. 143-154. ISBN 9781590564912 (2015) [Other Book Chapter] | |
| 2013 | Chapter in Book | Watt YM, 'Animal Factories: Exposing Sites of Capture', Captured: The Animal within Culture, Palgrave Macmillian, M Boyde (ed), United Kingdom, pp. 75-84. ISBN 978-1-137-33049-9 (2013) [Research Book Chapter] |
Journal Article
(4 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | O'Sullivan S, Watt Y, Probyn-Rapsey F, 'Tainted love: the trials and tribulations of a career in animal studies', Society and Animals, 27, (4) pp. 361-382. ISSN 1568-5306 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1163/15685306-00001677 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 3 | |
| 2019 | Probyn-Rapsey F, Watt Y, O'Sullivan S, ''Pussy panic' and glass elevators: how gender is shaping the field of animal studies', Australian Feminist Studies, 34, (100) pp. 198-215. ISSN 0816-4649 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1080/08164649.2019.1644605 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 2Web of Science - 1 | |
| 2018 | Watt Y, O'Sullivan S, Probyn-Rapsey F, 'Should we eat our research subjects? Advocacy and animal studies', Animal Studies Journal, 7, (1) Article 9. ISSN 2201-3008 (2018) [Refereed Article] | |
| 2012 | Watt YM, 'Artists, Animals and Ethics', Antennae, (19) pp. 62-72. ISSN 1756-9575 (2012) [Refereed Article] |
Book
(1 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Freeman CJ, Leane E, Watt YM, 'Considering Animals: Contemporary Studies in Human-Animal Relations', Ashgate, Aldershot, pp. 252. ISBN 978-1-4094-0013-4 (2011) [Edited Book] Citations: Scopus - 6 Co-authors: Freeman CJ; Leane E |
Chapter in Book
(6 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Watt Y, 'Eating the Problem', Eco Noir: A Companion for Precarious Times, The Academy of Fine Arts, the University of the Arts Helsinki, J Faber and A Shraer (ed), Helsinki, Finland, pp. 25-38. ISBN 9789523534070 (2020) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2019 | Watt Y, 'Duck Lake project: art meets activism in an anti-hide, anti-bloke, antidote to duck shooting', Animaladies: gender, animals, and madness, Bloomsbury Academic, L Gruen and F Probyn-Rapsey (ed), New York, NY, pp. 203-218. ISBN 9781501342165 (2019) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2016 | Watt Y, 'Down on the Farm: Why do Artists Avoid Farm' Animals as Subject Matter?', Meat Culture, Brill, Potts A (ed), Netherlands, pp. 163-183. ISBN 9789004325869 (2016) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2015 | Watt Y, 'Animal Factories', The Art of The Animal, Lantern Books, Eddy K, Watson LA and O'Rourke J (ed), New York, pp. 143-154. ISBN 9781590564912 (2015) [Other Book Chapter] | |
| 2013 | Watt YM, 'Animal Factories: Exposing Sites of Capture', Captured: The Animal within Culture, Palgrave Macmillian, M Boyde (ed), United Kingdom, pp. 75-84. ISBN 978-1-137-33049-9 (2013) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2011 | Watt YM, 'Making Animals Matter: Why the Art World Needs to Rethink the Representation of Animals', Considering Animals: Contemporary Studies in Human-Animal Relations, Ashgate, Freeman Carol , Leane ELizabeth , Watt Yvette (ed), United Kingdom, pp. 119-136. ISBN 978-1-4094-0013-4 (2011) [Research Book Chapter] Citations: Scopus - 2 |
Review
(1 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Freeman CJ, Watt YM, 'Georgette Leah Burns and Mandy Paterson eds. Engaging with Animals: Interpretations of a Shared Existence', Animal Studies Journal, 4, (2) pp. 181-188. ISSN 2200-9140 (2015) [Review Single Work] Co-authors: Freeman CJ |
Conference Publication
(7 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Watt Y, 'Animal Factories and Anti-Duck Shooting: negotiating academia as an activist artist', Beyond the Human: Feminism and the Animal Turn Symposium, 9-10 February, University of Wollongong (2016) [Keynote Presentation] | |
| 2015 | Watt Y, 'Animal Factories and Anti-Duck Shooting: negotiating academia as an activist artist', New Zealand Centre for Human-Animal Studies conference, 5-6 November 2015, University of Canterbury (2015) [Keynote Presentation] | |
| 2015 | Watt Y, 'Artists and Animals: A Survey', Minding Animals 3, 13-20 January, New Delhi (2015) [Non Refereed Conference Paper] | |
| 2013 | Watt Y, 'Art and Animal Advocacy: the artist as activist', 5th Biennial Conference of the Australian Animal Studies Group, 8-10 July, University of Sydney (2013) [Non Refereed Conference Paper] | |
| 2012 | Watt Y, 'Animal Factories: a visual investigation into the hidden lives of animals in industrial agriculture', Animal Death Symposium, 12-13 June, University of Sydney (2012) [Non Refereed Conference Paper] | |
| 2011 | Watt Y, 'Reconstructing the Animal - contemporary artists interrogating human-animal relationships', Australian Animal Studies Group Conference, 10-12 July, Griffith University (2011) [Non Refereed Conference Paper] | |
| 2003 | Frankham NH, Watt YM, 'Survey: Current art and design research and practice within Australian tertiary art and design schools', Australia Council of University Art and Design Schools, 1 - 4 October 2003, Tasmanian School of Art, University of Tasmania EJ (2003) [Conference Edited] Co-authors: Frankham NH |
Major Creative Work
(19 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Watt Y, Juliff T, Krebber A, Riedinger M, Holck A, 'OktoLab19', Plimsoll Gallery, University of Tasmania (2019) [Curated Exhibition] Co-authors: Juliff T | |
| 2018 | Watt YM, 'Duck Lake Redux', Moonah Arts Centre (2018) [Published Creative Work] | |
| 2017 | Watt YM, 'Sexual Politics of Meat Exhibition', The Animal Museum, Los Angeles, The Animal Museum, Los Angeles (2017) [Published Creative Work] | |
| 2016 | Watt Y, 'Animaladies Exhibition and Postcard Project', Interlude Gallery, Sydney, Australia (2016) [Curated Exhibition] | |
| 2013 | Watt Y, 'Animal Factories', Artspace, Hobart, Australia, 1 (2013) [Published Creative Work] | |
| 2013 | Watt YM, 'Untitled (From the Animal Factories series)', MOP projects, MOP projects, Sydney (2013) [Curated Exhibition] | |
| 2011 | Watt YM, 'animals, people - a shared environment... (co-curated with Jo Diball & Ross Woodrow)', Griffith University, Australian Animal Studies Grp, Brisbane, 1, pp. works by 32 artists (2011) [Curated Exhibition] | |
| 2011 | Watt YM, 'Reconstructing the Animal', Plimsoll Gallery, Ten Days on the Island, Plimsoll Gallery, University of Tasmania, Hobart (2011) [Curated Exhibition] | |
| 2010 | Watt YM, 'The Full Madness (Rorschach's Farm): Seeing Double', Plimsoll Gallery & UPSI, Malaysia, Plimsoll Gallery UTAS; Art Gallery, UPSI, Malaysi, 1/1, pp. 1 work (2010) [Published Creative Work] | |
| 2010 | Watt YM, 'The Eyes Have It: Cow, Pig, Sheep, Chicken: Group Action 6', Criterion Gallery, Hobart, Tasmania, 1/5, pp. 4 works (2010) [Published Creative Work] | |
| 2010 | Watt YM, 'Unwilling Servants: Are You Being Served?', Skittle Alley / Stable Gallery, Hobart, Tasmania, pp. 1 work (2010) [Published Creative Work] | |
| 2010 | Watt YM, 'The Butterfly Effect: Not For Legal Tender', Skittle Alley / Stable Gallery, Hobart, Tasmania, pp. 1 work (2010) [Published Creative Work] | |
| 2010 | Watt YM, 'Untitled: Group Action 7', Criterion Gallery, Hobart, Tasmania, 1/1, pp. 1 work (2010) [Published Creative Work] | |
| 2007 | Watt YM, 'Alternative Points of View', Criterion Gallery, Hobart (2007) [Published Creative Work] | |
| 2005 | Watt YM, 'same-difference', Criterion Gallery, Criterion Gallery, Hobart, pp. 10 (2005) [Published Creative Work] | |
| 2004 | Watt YM, 'Beastly', Artplace, Hobart (2004) [Published Creative Work] | |
| 2001 | Watt YM, 'Shadowlands', Artplace, Artplace, Perth WA (2001) [Other Exhibition] | |
| 2000 | Watt YM, 'Tales from the dark side', Beaver Galleries, Canberra (2000) [Other Exhibition] | |
| 1999 | Watt YM, 'Speak of the Devil', Artplace, Perth, pp. 2 (1999) [Other Exhibition] |
Other Creative Work
(8 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Watt YM, 'Luck of the Draw', Gallery central, Perth, WA (2014) [Minor Creative Work] | |
| 2013 | Watt YM, 'Wings of Desire', Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Maitland, NSW, pp. 4 (2013) [Catalogue] | |
| 2012 | Watt YM, 'The French Connection', Linden Row Inn, Virginia USA, pp. 5 (2012) [Representation of Original Art] | |
| 2009 | Watt YM, 'works exhibited in Marcher Sur Les Pelouses', Plimsoll Gallery, University of Tasmania, Hobart, pp. 12 (2009) [Representation of Original Art] | |
| 2009 | Watt YM, 'Works exhibited in Minding Animals', Lockup Gallery, Newcastle, Newcastle, pp. 4 (2009) [Representation of Original Art] | |
| 2001 | Watt YM, 'Untitled' (2001) [Acquisition] | |
| 2001 | Watt YM, 'Food for Thought (sheep, pig, bull)', BankWest, Perth WA, Perth WA, pp. 3 (2001) [Acquisition] | |
| 2001 | Watt YM, 'La Boca del Witz', Artplace, Perth, WA, pp. 1 (2001) [Acquisition] |
Thesis
(2 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Watt YM, 'Animals, Art and Activism' (2009) [PhD] | |
| 2003 | Watt YM, 'Food for Thought; a visual investigation of the nature-culture dichotomy as manifested in `farm animals' (2003) [Masters Research] |
Entry
(1 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Watt YM, 'Art, Animals and Ethics', Encyclopaedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare, Second Edition, Bekoff, Marc (ed), Santa Barbara, California, 1, pp. 77-81 (2009) [Entry] |
Other Public Output
(5 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Watt Y, 'When Is It Okay to Use Animals in Art?', Artsy Editorial, United States, 11 May (2017) [Media Interview] | |
| 2017 | Watt Y, 'Hermann Nitsch in Dark Mofo: radio dispatch', The Cultural Frontline, British Broadcasting Corporation, United Kingdom, 29 May (2017) [Media Interview] | |
| 2017 | Watt Y, 'Hermann Nitsch and Dark MOFO: interview with Ryk Goddard', On Breakfast with Ryk Goddard, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Hobart, Tasmania, 21 April (2017) [Media Interview] | |
| 2017 | Watt Y, 'Anger over animals in art: interview with Graeme Watson', RTR 92.1FM, Community Radio, Perth, 21 April (2017) [Media Interview] | |
| 2009 | Watt YM, 'Framed: Vegan Artists for Animal Rights - Annie Potts talks to Yvette Watt', Vegan Voice, Vegan Voice, Nimbin NSW, 38, June-Aug (3) (2009) [Magazine Article] |
Grants & Funding
Funding Summary
Number of grants
5
Total funding
Projects
- Description
- Okto-lab is an exhibition project focusing on the octopus. Conceived as a laboratory for studying and reevaluating animals, it also tests the contribution of curatorial practices and exhibitions to such a reevaluation. The octopus acts as both primary subject-matter andmodel for interdisciplinary research, responding to the alien complexity and physiology of the animal in manifold ways. In its entirety, the exhibition thus also represents a laboratory for the visitors to explore octopuses from different perspectives and positions that disturb the clear demarcation of scientific, artistic and cultural approaches while also questioningour understanding of the nonhuman world.
- Funding
- Regional Arts Australia ($9,734)
- Scheme
- Grant-Community
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Watt YM; Juliff TD
- Year
- 2019
- Description
- Okto-Lab is an exhibition project focusing on the octopus. Conceived as a laboratory for studying and re-evaluating animals, the exhibition allows visitors to explore octopuses from different perspectives and positions that disturb the clear demarcation of scientific, artistic and cultural approaches. Visitors are prompted to question our understanding of the nonhuman world. Meanwhile the laboratory format tests the contribution of curatorial practices and exhibitions to such a re-evaluation. The octopus acts as both primary subject-matter and model for interdisciplinary research, responding to the alien complexity and physiology of the animal in manifold ways.
- Funding
- Australia Council for the Arts ($28,688)
- Scheme
- Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Watt YM; Juliff TD; Krebber A; Hoelck A
- Year
- 2019
- Description
- The project focuses on the Octopus; both the animal itself as a tentacled, multi-brained creature, and the use of its form as a model for an interdisciplinary project with multiple partners and multiple outcomes.
- Funding
- Universities Australia / Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (German Academic Exchange Service) ($17,240)
- Scheme
- Grant
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Watt YM; Juliff TD; Krebber A; Riedinger M
- Period
- 2018 - 2019
- Description
- This project seeks to investigate and document the relationship between art, artists and activism in Tasmania from J.W. Beattie (1859-1930) to the present day.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($5,622)
- Scheme
- Grant-CAL Hothouse Research Enhancement Program
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Watt YM; Keating MJ
- Year
- 2017
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($4,608)
- Scheme
- Grant-New Appointees Research Grant Scheme (NARGS)
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Watt YM
- Year
- 2010
Research Supervision
Yvette is currently supervising MFA and PhD candidates. She has also examined an Honours thesis in literature for Edith Cowan University, PhD submissions for Monash University and for University of Melbourne, and Doctorate in Fine Art submissions for RMIT and Griffith University.
Current
6
Completed
3
Current
| Degree | Title | Commenced |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | Familiar Landscapes: A photographic examination of Hobart's wildland-urban fringe and how it might contribute to a sense of place | 2015 |
| PhD | Re-envisioning the Master Narrative of Anzac: A painterly investigation of memory and memorialising of the Great War at the Australian War Memorial | 2017 |
| PhD | Subcultures of Submission: Using immersive art to propagate speculative adaptations to environmental change | 2018 |
| PhD | In Search of The Happy Farm | 2019 |
| PhD | Jewellery as Specimen: Considering intersections between nature, museums and jewellery practices as a method to produce new objects that intercede human-animal relationships, with a focus on Tasmanian invertebrates | 2020 |
| PhD | Walking with uncertainty: cultivating chlorophilia, art and ecological practices in the Planthropocene | 2021 |
Completed
| Degree | Title | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Masters | Between Spaces: A painterly investigation of uncertainty and belonging through the house museum Candidate: Bronwen Annie Jones | 2019 |
| PhD | Navigating the Unknown: Place, space and drawing Candidate: Annalise Rees | 2017 |
| Masters | Familiar Ground: Expressing post-diasporic Scottish identity through collage and print Candidate: Roslyn Heather Meeker | 2015 |