Monash Memo - articles - 26 March 2002

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Stelarc given faculty's first honorary doctorate

The Faculty of Art and Designat Monash has awarded its first honorary doctorate to renownedinternational performance artist and Monash graduate Stelarc.

Stelarc(pictured with Chancellor Mr Jerry Ellis) was presented with the awardduring a graduation ceremony in the Robert Blackwood Concert Hall atClayton last week.

Born Stelios Arcadiou in Cyprus, Greece, in 1946,the artist has achieved a high level of international recognition in thefield of conceptual, performance and body art. He has performedextensively in Australia, Japan, Europe and the US in music and dancefestivals and experimental theatre.

Dean of Art and Design ProfessorJohn Redmond said the award was recognition of Stelarc's contribution tointernational contemporary art.

"We are delighted that Monash haschosen to bestow this honour upon one of our highest profile graduates,"he said.

"Stelarc has made, and continues to make, a majorcontribution to discourse on contemporary art through regularinternational presentations."

Stelarc, who trained at the formerCaulfield Technical College, an antecedent of Monash, will return toMonash as artist-in-residence in June.

While at Monash last week,Stelarc also attended the launch of the magazine Artlink at theMonash University Museum of Art.