Zoë Veness is an artist, designer and educator specialising in contemporary jewellery and objects. She has a background in classical ballet and design, graduating with a Diploma of Dance from the Australian Ballet School in Naarm (Melbourne), followed by a Bachelor of Design, Master of Design (Research) and Doctor of Philosophy from UNSW Art & Design. She was artist-in-residence at Bundanon (2010) and Edinburgh College of Art (2006).

Zoë’s practice explores aesthetics of time through craft methodologies informed by interests in notions of place, movement and materiality. She employs a dichotomous approach to making, with investigations oscillating between experimental methods with paper and metal mediums.

Zoë has developed numerous projects for solo exhibitions including, Still Point at Gallery Funaki (2024), The Stream of Time at Woollahra Gallery (2022), New Terrain in an Old World at Craft + Design Canberra (2017), The Infinite Fold at JamFactory (2009), Mathematical Beauty at the Australian Design Centre (2006) and Alchemical Analogies at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery (2005).

She has collaborated with artists on exhibition projects including Vestige at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (2023), Affinity at STACKS Projects (2019), Wayfaring at Craft + Design Canberra (2019) and Remanence at Domain House for the Ten Days on the Island Festival (2017). Her work was included in the national touring exhibitions, Made/Worn, Australian Contemporary Jewellery organised by the Australian Design Centre (2020-2023), Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor: 100 Women, 100 Brooches, 100 Stories organised by Museum and Gallery QLD (2011-2014), and Excessory, Contemporary Australian Jewellery organised by Museums & Galleries of NSW (2010-2011). In 2023 she received the winning prize for the Contemporary Wearables Biennial Jewellery Award Exhibition at Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery.

Her work is held in collections at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of South Australia, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, and Griffith Regional Art Gallery.

Zoë joined UNSW Art & Design in 2018. She was Deputy Head of School (Design) and Program Director of the Bachelor of Design and Master of Design at UNSW Art & Design from May 2022 to December 2024, and Director of Education from January 2021 to May 2022. In 2018 she developed new courses for the Object disciplinary studio in the Bachelor of Design which includes jewellery and ceramics.

She currently supervises PhD students in the areas of contemporary craft, contemporary jewellery, jewellery history and textiles design.

Her work can be viewed at zoeveness.com