Born in Sydney, 1974, Darren Sylvester lives and works in Melbourne. Sylvester completed a Master of Fine Art degree at Monash University, Melbourne, in 2010 after having previously gained a Bachelor of Art, Fine Art Photography (Graphic Design) from Charles Sturt University (Riverina) N.S.W. 

Sylvester, well-known for his narrative-driven photography, is continually expanding his increasingly multi-disciplinary approach that incorporates the mediums of video, sculpture and more recently, performing and recording music as a solo musician. His photographs are highly choreographed and precise compositions they are striking and direct. The meticulous consideration of the image presents his subjects in a highly controlled environment to create a visually impacting image that is constructed without unnecessary visual interference. Sylvester’s intent to create an instant understanding from the audience of the unfolding scenario presents the photograph much like a pop song – as a universal story that although is direct and to the point, is inherent with levels of complexity. 

Sylvester has exhibited widely nationally and as well as internationally. Recent solo shows include Darren Sylvester – Take Me To You, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), Singapore and the major survey exhibition Our Future Was Ours, Australia Centre for Photography, Sydney, 2008. Group exhibitions include Mortality, Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (2010), Wonderlust, Art Gallery of Western Australia (2008) and Contemporary Australia: Optimism, Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, QLD (2008). Sylvester recently won the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award for 2011 and received an Australia Council New Work Grant in 2010. His work is held in a number of public collections such as the Queensland Art Gallery, Art Gallery of Western Australia and National Gallery of Australia.