Gibb, Viva (1945 - 2017)
- Born
- 11 September 1945
Bobinawarrah, Victoria, Australia - Died
- 4 December 2017
Parkville, Victoria, Australia - Occupation
- Artist and Photographer
- Alternative Names
- Gibb, Jillian
- Sali, Viva
- Summary
Viva Gibb was born Jillian Gibb in Bobinawarrah, Victoria, in 1945. Gibb received a Certificate of Art from Wangaratta Technical School before studying for a Diploma of Art (Illustration) at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. She later undertook further training at the National Gallery of Victoria Art School and the Victorian College of the Arts. She became known for her social documentary photography and expressionist protest posters. Her first solo exhibition was at the Ewing and George Paton Gallery, University of Melbourne, in 1978. In 1990, Gibb was instrumental in establishing a photography cadetship program for Aboriginal women, funded by the Victorian Women's Trust. The first recipients were Maree Clarke and Kim Kruger. Her photographs are held in collections around Australia, including the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, and the State Library of Victoria. Gibb died in 2017.
Related Entities
Archival Resources
National Gallery of Victoria
- Me and Sybil, 1975, Accession Number: 2019.88; Gibb, Viva; National Gallery of Victoria. Details
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University Archives
- School of Art Student Record Cards - Surnames commencing with the letter 'G', c. 1943 - 1972, Item no. S003238; Series S0127; Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University Archives. Details
- Student Files (1953 - 1968) - RMIT - Student Administration (HES & TAFE), 1953 - 1968, Item no. S002631; Series S0379; Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University Archives. Details
State Library of Victoria
- [Jillian Gibb : Australian Art and Artists file], Record ID: 9911223663607636; Gibb, Viva; State Library of Victoria. Details
Published Resources
Articles
- O'Brien, Kerrie, She was a loving witness to our changing city. How did we forget her?, The Sydney Morning Herald, 4 March 2026. Also available at https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/she-was-a-loving-witness-to-our-changing-city-how-did-we-forget-her-20260212-p5o1pd.html. Details
Newspaper Articles
- 'SALI Viva', The Age, 5 December 2017. Also available at https://tributes.theage.com.au/au/obituaries/theage-au/name/viva-sali-obituary?id=43656182. Details
Webpages
- Viva GIBB, Museum of Australian Photography. Also available at https://maph.org.au/artists/482/. Details
- Viva GIBB, National Gallery of Victoria. Also available at https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/explore/collection/artist/2303/. Details
- A place in time: photographs by Viva Gibb, 27 July - 29 September 2019, Museum of Australian Photography, 2019. Also available at https://maph.org.au/exhibitions/204/. Details
- Jillian Viva Gibb, Design & Art Australia Online, 10 April 2026. Also available at https://www.daao.org.au/bio/jillian-viva-gibb/biography/. Details
Sources used to compile this entry: 'SALI Viva', The Age, 5 December 2017. Also available at https://tributes.theage.com.au/au/obituaries/theage-au/name/viva-sali-obituary?id=43656182; Jillian Viva Gibb, Design & Art Australia Online, 10 April 2026. Also available at https://www.daao.org.au/bio/jillian-viva-gibb/biography/; [Jillian Gibb : Australian Art and Artists file], Record ID: 9911223663607636; Gibb, Viva; State Library of Victoria; School of Art Student Record Cards - Surnames commencing with the letter 'G', c. 1943 - 1972, Item no. S003238; Series S0127; Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University Archives; Student Files (1953 - 1968) - RMIT - Student Administration (HES & TAFE), 1953 - 1968, Item no. S002631; Series S0379; Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University Archives; Viva GIBB, National Gallery of Victoria. Also available at https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/explore/collection/artist/2303/; Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/262442614/viva_jillian-gibb: accessed June 3, 2026), memorial page for Viva Jillian Gibb (11 Sep 1945-4 Dec 2017), Find a Grave Memorial ID 262442614, citing Linton Cemetery, Linton, Golden Plains Shire, Victoria, Australia; Maintained by Jessica (contributor 50621750).
Created: 21 May 2026, Last modified: 3 June 2026