Nathan Beard (b.1987) is Perth-based interdisciplinary artist whose practice draws upon his Thai-Australian heritage in order to unpack the influences of culture, memory and biography. Using archives of imagery from various archives sources including museum catalogues, the internet, and family photo albums, Beard aims to playfully deconstruct an understanding of his own “Thainess” as positioned in a Western cultural context. His work asks what it means to search for and create an authentic sense of identity out of a connection to intimate, personal histories and cultural heritage.
Beard holds a Bachelor of Arts (Art) with First Class Honours from Curtin University. Recent exhibitions include White Gilt, Cool Change Contemporary, WA, (2019), A dense intimacy, Bus Projects, VIC (2019), Siamese Smize, Turner Galleries, WA (2018), Transcendence, Firstdraft, NSW (2018) and WA Focus: Nathan Beard, Art Gallery of Western Australia, WA (2017). In 2017 Beard was selected for the 4A Beijing Studio Program, shortlisted as a finalist for the John Stringer Prize, and Highly Commended as a finalist in the Fremantle Art Centre Print Award. In 2021 Beard will be undertaking the Australia Council residency at ACME Studios in London.
