The Art of Biography

Louise Martin-Chew has worked as a freelance writer, specialising in the visual arts and design, since 1992. Prior to that she worked in Sydney in exhibitions and publications management (Art Exhibitions Australia 1985-89), becoming Editorial Manager of Art & Australia quarterly journal 1990-92.

Since 1992 she has contributed regularly to national art magazines, newspapers and catalogues and was Brisbane art critic for The Australian newspaper 1997-2009. Most recently she has contributed to and authored books on Australian artists Judy Watson (2008), Fiona Foley (2009 and 2021), Stephen Hart (2011) and Robert Brownhall (2012), and Linde Ivimey (UQ Art Museum, 2012). She was awarded her doctorate in 2019 from the University of Queensland (Creative Writing) for a biography of Indigenous artist Fiona Foley which is now published as Fiona Foley Provocateur: An Art Life (QUT Art Museum, 2021).

Cheryl is an Executive Director with the Queensland Government, and formerly Deputy Commissioner of Queensland Family and Children Commission. She has been a member of UPLIT’s Angel’s Palace Advisory Board since 2017 and is a Kooma Traditional Owner. Cheryl’s country is in southern inland Queensland between Cunnamulla and St George.