Quinliven completed an Advanced Diploma in Fine Arts at St George Tafe in 2004 and then attended the National Art School where he completed his degree in 2007 and graduated with Honours in Painting in 2008. While he was a student he won the prestigious John Olsen Drawing Prize 2006‚ the Parkers Painting Prize 2007 and was a finalist in the Blake Prize 2008. In 2009 Troy travelled through Europe studying the masters in the flesh. Since his return he has been working from his studio in St Peters‚ has had two solo shows‚ was selected for the Blake Prize (directors Cut) in 2010‚ won the Oil painting Prize at the Waverley Art Prize in 2012 and was a finalist in the Kogarah art prize in 2013.