Damien Slevin is a painter, illustrator/designer and film maker working in Australia. He was born in Toronto, Canada and now resides in Newcastle, Australia with his wife, son and big ass cat.

Drawing since he was a toddler, Damien fostered his skills by drawing all the time with his brothers.

Upon relocating to Australia in 1991 Damien attended the University of Sydney where he achieved a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in History. Damien also attained a Bachelor of Design and a Diploma of Education from the University of Newcastle.

Damien works as a secondary school teacher to support his income while pursuing his creative ventures. He has taught Flash animation and Adobe Suite digital media software, for both Metro Screen and WEA Hunter. Damien currently teaches life drawing at WEA Hunter.

If you have any enquires or have interest in commissions please contact Damien at:

damien@slevinarts.com

Exhibitions

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

'Design Visions' Ken Done Galleries, The Rocks, Sydney, November 2001

'1,2,3,4' Graduate Design Exhibition - Newcastle Regional Museum, November 2001

'Small:Cornicopia' Back to Back Galleries, Newcaslte, Apr 15 - May 1, 2011

The Secret Life of Animals, 2nd Birthday Show, Nanshe Gallery, Hamilton, May 7-May 31, 2014

'Wrap Up', Nanshe Gallery, Hamilton, Nov 28-Dec 25, 2014

'Drawing Fine', Gallery 139, Hamilton, April 1- 18, 2015

'Past and Present' Newcastle Art Space, 20 August – 6 September 2015

Newcastle Emerging Artist Prize (NEAP), Newcastle Art Space, Sept 12 - 27 2015

G1 & G2 OPEN show and fundraiser Newcastle Art Space, Nov 12 - Nov 29 2015

'Double Wrap Up', Nanshe Gallery, Hamilton, Dec 9th - 24th, 2015

'Dogs in Art', Gallery 139, Hamilton, January 13- 30, 2016

'The Subject',Gallery 139, Hamilton, Jun 29, 2016 – July 16, 2016

Newcastle Emerging Artist Prize (NEAP), Newcastle Art Space, Aug 20 - Sept 4 2016

Paddington Art Prize, Paddington, Sydney, Oct 20-31, 2016

THE REAL REFUSES, TAPP Gallery, Sydney, May 22 - June 3rd, 2018

Hornsby Art Prize, Hornsby NSW, Oct 17-28, 2018

THE REAL REFUSES, TAPP Gallery, Sydney, May 20 – 26, 2019

Tap Salon Show, TAPP Gallery, Sydney, August 14, 2019

THE REAL REFUSES, TAPP Gallery, Sydney, Oct 3 – 18, 2020

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

'Newcastle: Evening Shades' (with Greg Slevin) Newcastle Art Space, Aug 6th-23rd, 2009

'Watering Holes' Newcastle Art Space, Feb 13th - Mar 2nd, 2014

'Vitae Newy' Nanshe Gallery, Hamilton, Sept 17th- Oct 18th (with Amanda Davies)

'Windows' Newcastle Art Space, July 30th -August 16th 2015

Publications

'International Contemporary Artists' Vol. 6, ICA Publishing, New York, 2013

'Featured Artists' Vol. IV, Mediaplan Publishing, Athens, 2013

'Art in America - The Guide: Museums, Galleries', August 2019

'The World Wide Art & Artavita Pavillion at ART SAN DIEGO' Catelogue, 2019

Press

"Greg and Damien Slevin are showing smaller nocturnal views of familiar Newcastle landmarks. Their names may be unfamiliar but they are accomplished painters of complex scenes",'Prominent Figures' - Review by JILL STOWELL, 'The Newcastle Herald,' Saturday August 15 2009

"Animator Makes the Cut" - Newcastle Herald , Saturday June 7th 2003

'Gritty City Impressions', Article by ROSEMARIE MILSOM, 'Weekender – Feature', 'Newcastle Herald', Saturday February 15th 2014.

"Also at NAS, Damien Slevin exhibits evocative, mostly nocturnal paintings of Newcastle's popular eating and drinking spots. Watering Holes are bound to appeal through their familiarity, but they are also striking little paintings (25 centimetres square) with character; atmosphere and a hint of whimsy. Haunts such as Goldbergs, roller door and El Nonno, along with at least one humble fish and chip shop, receive loving attention to detail. And…it's elegantly hung. " UNA REY, 'The Weekender, Newcastle Herald', Saturday, February 22, 2014

A brilliant exhibition titled "Watering Holes" By Damien Slevin sees many recognised haunts in Newcastle come to life on the canvas. The small square paintings beckon with the artist's admirable skill in the handling of the medium as well as image composition.Visually stimulating, these tiny glimpses into public places allow scrutiny that would otherwise be perceived only as a quick glance or impression by the onlooker.This is an exhibition worthy of venturing into the wet weather. It warms with colour and familiarity. KERRI SMITH, Artist/Writer 'Newcastle's Casual Reviewer of Art'

Awards

WINNER-IST PRIZE: SECTION 1 - OIL OR ACRYLIC PAINTING: Dobell Festival of Art and Craft 2021

FINALIST- Circle Foundation for the Arts, San Diego Exhibition 2019

COMMENDED - OIL OR ACRYLIC PAINTING: Dobell Festival of Art and Craft 2019

FINALIST - PAINTING: Newcastle Emerging Artist Prize 2018

FINALIST - Hornsby Art Prize, 2018

FINALIST - Paddington Art Prize, 2016

HONORARY DIPLOMA – Berliner Art Prize 2016

FINALIST - PAINTING: Newcastle Emerging Artist Prize 2016

WINNER – 'IRISH FEVER' for 'Best Screenplay 2016' Just 4 Shorts- Short Film and Screenplay Competition, Los Angeles, USA, April 2016

NOMINEE – 'IRISH FEVER' for 'Best Script' Hang on to Your Shorts Film Festival, New Jersey, USA, April 2016

WINNER – 'INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARD' A Night of Horror International Film Festival, Sydney, Australia, 2015

HIGHLY COMMENDED - PAINTING: Newcastle Emerging Artist Prize 2015

WINNER – 2013 Outstanding Tutor in Creative Arts, Wea Hunter, Hunter Education Awards

WINNER – Best Film – Screen Scream 2012, Newcastle, Australia, November 5, 2012

WINNER – '2nd Runner-Up, Feature Screenplay', A Night of Horror International Film Festival, Sydney, Australia, 2012

NOMINEE - Best Foreign Independent Short 5-12, Kids First Film Festival, San Francisco, USA, Sept-Dec 2011-12

WINNER – 3rd Place for Best Short - Rocky Mountain Horror Film Festival, Calgary, Alberta Canada, Oct 25th, 2010

NOMINEE – Best Australian Short – Fantastic Planet: Sydney International Sci-Fi & Fantasy Film Festival, Sydney, Australia, Oct 29-Nov 6, 2010

NOMINEE – Best Animated Short, BFest-Syracuse Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Film Festival, Nov 6-8, Syracuse, NY, USA, 2010

NOMINEE – Best Animated Short – Fantastic Planet: Sydney International Sci-Fi & Fantasy Film Festival, Sydney, Australia, Oct 29-Nov 6, 2010

FINALIST – Best Animated Science Fiction Dragon*Con Independent Short Film Festival, Atlanta GA, USA Sept, 2010

WINNER – Honourable Mention for Horror - 4th Cinefantasy, São Paulo, 2009

WINNER *Best Animation: Audience Award* –HORROR UK: 28 Hours Later Horror Filim Festival, Fareham, UK. 2009

WINNER *BEST AUSTRALIAN SHORT* A Night of Horror International Film Festival, 2009, Sydney

WINNER *3rd Prize* Wollombi Valley Short Film Festival, 2009, Wollombi, Australia

WINNER *BEST HORROR SHORT* Atlanta Underground Film Festival, August 20 - 24, 2008, Atlanta, GA

Highly Commended - 2003 Maitland Art Prize (Miniature Painting)

Highly Commended - 2004 Maitland Art Prize (Miniature Painting)

Highly Commended - 2007 Maitland Art Prize (Miniature Painting)

Finalist - 2003 Dendy Awards (Yoram Gross Animation Award)

Finalist - 2003 ATOM Awards (Best Tertiary Animation)

Best Animated Short - 2003 Festival of Fantastic Films

5th Prize - 2003 Byron Bay Short Film Festival

Chuck Jones Best Animated Short Award - Westcliffe Digital Film Festival, Colorado, USA

3rd Place Punter's Prize August 2005 - Fitzroy Shorts

2nd Prize - 2005 Wollombi Short Film Festival

Best Editing - 2005 Shorts Around Sydney