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.

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.

Her work is held in collections in Belgium, Switzerland, and Australia.

“We moved to from Switzerland to Tasmania 12 years ago with our family. It took me a while to settle in to the Tasmanian lifestyle, and to get used to the nature here.”

“The bush, that is very dense, as opposed to the forest, which is very open and you can walk anywhere in it.”

“When I created this painting these mountains just appeared out of nowhere. I paint with the canvas on the floor and I walk over it and paint from each side, so there is no bottom or top for a long time.”

“I think I spent a long time with the Mountains at the bottom, so I didn’t see them.”

“Then when I looked at it the other way they were just there, strong and calm, with snow on the peaks all year round.”

“I get emotional thinking about the Swiss mountains that I feel so connected to, and the Sunflower fields, and rivers.”


“This painting is one of the first ones where I used desaturated colours and had to push myself to feel ok with using them. Another thing that is new is that I used a pearlite which I mixed in to the marks on the mountains, and I love the extra shimmer that gives if you look at it in the right light.”

“It’s a strong painting, but also tender. I could also have named the painting Homesick, but I think that would make me cry every time I look at it.”

Aleks Crossan, 2025.

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