Tyswan Slater was born in Vietnam and brought to Australia as a toddler in 1972 by “Operation Baby Lift” personality Elaine Moir.
Tyswan studied Mathematics & Computer Science at Sydney University. Whilst working in the computer industry, Tyswan studied part-time at the National Art School, and later enrolled in a Masters of Creative Arts (Research) focussing on visual storytelling in a digital age.
She has extensive experience in graphic design and web-marketing. As a qualified vocation trainer, Tyswan has experience tutoring high school maths, teaching computer science at TAFE, writing distance education courses for OTEN, and tutoring students with acquired brain injuries.
Following a chronic illness, she began studying visual arts at TAFE, where she has won recognition for her work. She recently exhibited in the Blue Mountains Portrait Prize, in the selected TAFE student exhibition at Braemar Gallery in Springwood, and participated in Blue Mountains ArtFest. She was commissioned for two artworks by NSW Health, as part of the Katoomba Community Health Centre Art Project, and was short-listed for the recent BMCC Public Art Project for murals in Hazelbrook and Blaxland.
Tyswan is also an award-winning short story writer, whose work explores themes of belonging, isolation, and identity. Her novel manuscripts have received recognition by Varuna Writers’ Centre, and her short stories have appeared in various anthologies.
CURRICULUM VITAE
EXHIBITIONS + PUBLICATIONS
- 5² [five squared] group exhibition, Braemar Gallery, upcoming January 2027.
- Hill Painting Prize exhibition, Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, 2026.
- TAFE Katoomba Selected Students Exhibition, Braemar Gallery, 2025, 2026.
- Blackheath Art Society Easter exhibition, 2026.
- Blue Mountains Portrait Prize exhibition, 2025, 2026.
- Blue Mountains Artfest, Wentworth Falls, 2025
- Zinewest Art and Writing Anthology, 2025
- TAFE Katoomba student end of term exhibition, 2023, 2024, 2025.
- Blue Fringe Art and Literature Festival exhibition + publication, 2024.
- Regenesis art and writing anthology, 2024, 2025.
- Cardboard Box Illustrators online showcase, 2023, 2024.
- Culture Clash exhibition, Trapezium Gallery, TAFE WSCC Kingswood, 2023.
- Artstreet, Katoomba, 2002.
- Solo, Studio exhibition, St Peters, 1999.
- 30×30 Teacher/Student exhibition, National Art School, 1997.
ART AWARDS + ACHIEVEMENTS
- Blue Mountains City of the Arts Grant, 2026, for project DRAGONFLY 2780.
- Hill Painting Prize finalist, 2026.
- MTS MADE Industry Award, for commitment and quality of work in Visual Arts (TAFE NSW, 2025).
- Highly Commended Award in Drawing (TAFE NSW, 2025).
- Katoomba Community Health Centre Art Project commission (NSW Department of Health, 2025).
- Highly Commended Award in Photography (TAFE NSW, 2024).
- Honourable Mention, International Einstein Mad Hat Awards (Momath, 2023).
- Runner up, WestWords Picture Book Illustration Prize
- (Westwords, 2023).
EDUCATION
- Cert III Visual Arts: 2025, TAFE NSW
- Cert III Fundamentals of Design (Visual Arts): 2023-24, TAFE NSW
- Master of Creative Arts (Research): 2008–12, Media Arts + Production, University of Technology, Sydney (withdrew due to health issues)
- Cert IV in Workplace Training & Assessment: 2002, University of New England Partnerships
- Fine Arts (painting, sculpture): 1996–99, National Art School, East Sydney.
- Bachelor of Science (Computer Science/Pure Mathematics): 1992, University of Sydney.