Biography
Born in Vienna in 1976, Aleks Crossan has cultivated a life rich in artistic exploration. As a Swiss-American, her diverse heritage infuses her work with a blend of global perspectives and grounded realism. Aleks honed her artistic talents at Zurich-Tanz-Theater-Schule (ZTTS) from 1997 to 2000, setting the stage for a vibrant, multi-disciplinary career.
Aleks’s professional journey is marked by versatility and innovation. She founded the successful Earthphish Dance company in 2001, leading it until 2006. Simultaneously, she delved into the world of music composition with her band Earthphish, which has been active since 2002.
Her work has not only spanned multiple disciplines but also brought her into collaboration with renowned figures like Clown Master Giovanni Fussetti, actor Justus Neumann, and reggae pioneer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry.
Aleks’s creativity has been recognised with numerous accolades, including the prestigious Prix Volinine for her dance piece “Veins” in Paris and other awards for her choreography and music across Europe. Her track “Soulcandy” topped the electronic music charts on GarageBand.com.
Now residing in Hobart, Tasmania, Aleks’s artistic focus has shifted to painting, where she excels in contemporary abstract art. Her work is a dynamic blend of instinct and relationship, often drawing from her musical background to enhance the visual experience. Her notable exhibitions include the solo show “LOUD” at the Social Gallery, Salamanca Arts Centre, and “Dreamwork,” a live art performance at Contemporary Art Tasmania. In 2022, Aleks furthered her artistic development through a mentorship program with MONA curator Trudi Brinckman.
CV
Aleks Crossan
Born in 1976 in Vienna, Austria
Resides and works in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Education/training
1997-2000 | Diploma of Choreography and Dance, Zurich Tanz Theater Schule, Zurich, Switzerland
2017 | Clowning Course, “The Tao of the Clown”, Hobart, Australia
2018 | Devising Course, “Greenhouse of Fools”, Melbourne, Australia
Upcoming solo exhibitions
2026 | How To Grow Up, Social Gallery, Salamanca Arts Centre, Hobart, Australia
Selected solo exhibitions
2025 | Something To Do With When We Were Young, Devonport Regional Gallery, Devonport, Australia
2025 | A Long Big Story In A Teeny Tiny Place, Clarence Jazz Festival, Rosny Barn, Rosny, Australia
2024 | Loud, SOCIAL, Salamanca Art Centre, Hobart, Australia
2023 | Curious Creatures, Red Velvet Lounge, Cygnet, Australia
2023 | Burn The Witch (selected works), 245 Macquarie Studio, Hobart, Australia
2022 | Curious Creatures, Stabla, Hobart, Australia
Selected group exhibitions
2023 | Gather Together (Fort Heart Co), The Long Gallery, Salamanca, Hobart, Australia
2023 | Warehouse, Vibrance Gallery, Hobart, Australia
2023 | Dream Work, Contemporary Art Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
2022 | Go Big (two murals), Bidencopes Lane, Hobart, Australia
2022 | Know Their Name, Gallery Seventy One, Hobart, Australia
Commission
2025 | Clarence Jazz Festival Commissioned Artist, Hobart, Australia
2025 | Commissioned Artist for Creative Hoardings, City of Hobart, Australia
Features
2023 | “Estila”, Artists, Sourcebook for designers, England
2024 | Beyond Words Magazine Issue 47
2024 | Beyond Words Magazine Issue 51
Selected collections
Aleks Crossan is collected by various private collectors in Belgium, Switzerland, and Australia.
Selected residencies and grants
2024 | All that we are, residency (for Clarence Jazz Festival), Clifton Beach, Tas, Australia
2022-2023 | Constellations, Mentorship Program with Trudi Brinkmann, Contemporary Art Tasmania, Hobart, Australia