Artist Statement - 'Nature, Nurture'

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 ‘Nature, Nurture’ shines a spotlight on remnant bushland of Wiradjuri Country around Orange, particularly Gaanha-bula (Mt. Canobolas) and Mullion Range.

Nature, a kaleidoscope of eco-systems, biodiversity and form, exists in a delicate and fragile balance that nurtures and sustains all life on this blue planet.  In the era of the Anthropocene, this intrinsic interconnection and natural equilibrium is under severe stress, fuelled primarily by human activity, ever-expanding consumption of natural resources, the climate crisis, biodiversity loss and the lack of political will to progress meaningful change.

Since her early years, long before hearing of the Japanese practice of ‘Forest Bathing’, Jane has been drawn to the act of connecting and immersing herself in nature, an essential ingredient to her life.

Nature nurtures all, it is the healer we seek, nurturing mind, body and spirit, providing the finely specialised conditions that enables human existence. It is the tonic for mental resilience in the face of existential challenges. In this digital age, many are disconnected and deprived of a physical, spiritual or ethical connection to nature.  However, a conscious and responsible intersection of humanity and nature has never been more critical to ensure a healthy environment for future generations. The Artist invites the viewer to ponder and experience a deeper personal connection with their natural environment and hopes to evoke conversations around nature, nurture, ethics and collective conservation in a broader context.

 

Art Qualifications

2012 –  Printmaking modules, Western Institute of TAFE
2010/ 2011 –  Diploma of Fine Arts, Western Institute of TAFE
1982/ 1983 – Certificate II  Showcard & Ticketwriting, Orange TAFE College

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Grants, Awards, Commissions:

2024 – Artwork Commissioned for ‘Conversations with Clarice Beckett’, NGA &Orange Regional Gallery joint project

2024 - Finalist, Regional Landscape Prize, Corner Store Gallery
2023 - Highly Commended, Cabonne Aquisitive Art Prize
2022 – 2024 – Artwork Commissioned for ‘While the World Wait’, an Arts OutWest touring exhibition

2020 – Winner, People's Choice Award, Calleen Art Award - Cowra Regional Gallery
2015 – Winner, ‘Barbara Bennett Major Award’, Lachlan Valley Biennial Art Awards, Cowra Regional Gallery
2013 – Finalist, Cliftons Art Awards, Canberra Region
2012 – Orange Health Service, Arts + Health Strategy - Landscape commission recipient
2012/ 2013 – Australia Council for the Arts ‘Artstart’ $10,000 grant recipient - July 2012 to July 2013

 

Professional Associations and Memberships :

NAVA

Exhibitions:
2026 'Nature, Nurture: Upcoming solo exhibition, Orange Regional Gallery

2025 Here and Now Group Exhibition, Orange Regional Gallery

2025 Cabonne Aquisite Art Prize, Molong

2025 9 x 5 Group Exhibition, Peisley Street Gallery

2025 Feature Artist ‘Bushwalk’ group exhibition - Little Magpie Gallery, Cowra

2025 ‘Inside this box’ group exhibition – Corner Store Gallery

2024 Conversations with Clarice Beckett, Orange Regional Gallery (Until 23rd March 2025)

2024 ‘While the World Waits’ Arts OutWest final touring group exhibition, NSW Parliament House

2024 Here and Now Group Exhibition, Orange Regional Gallery

2024 Regional Landscape Prize Exhibition, Corner Store Gallery

2024 The Little Magpie Gallery, Group Exhibitions

2024 Cabonne Aquisite Art Prize, Molong
2023 'Refuge' Solo Exhibition, Corner Store Gallery

2023 Lachlan Valley Biennial Art Awards Exhibition - Cowra Regional Gallery

2023 Cabonne Aquisite Art Prize, Molong

2023 Here and Now Group Exhibition, Orange Regional Gallery
2022 Regional Landscape Prize Exhibition, Corner Store Gallery
2022 Here and Now Group Exhibition, Orange Regional Gallery 

2022 ‘While the World Waits’ – Arts OutWest Travelling Exhibition – Multiply locations

2022 Inside this box, Corner Store Gallery

2021 Mini Series Art Prize, Corner Store Gallery

2021 Lachlan Valley Biennial Art Awards Exhibition - Cowra Regional Gallery

2020 Finalist - Calleen Art Awards Exhibition - Cowra Regional Gallery

2020 'Here and Now' Exhibition - Orange Regional Gallery 

2019 'Here and Now' Exhibition - Orange Regional Gallery

2018 ‘Call of the Wild’ Wilderists Inc. Exhibition – Grenfell Art Gallery

2017  Corner Store Gallery - Group Exhibitions

2016  Corner Store Gallery - Group Exhibitions

2015 Winner - ‘Barbara Bennett Major Award’, Lachlan Valley Biennial Art Awards - Cowra Regional Gallery
2015 Solo Painting Exhibition- 'Elevation', Jayes Gallery Molong.  July – Aug 2015
2014 ‘Wild Women of Arkaroola’ Exhibition – Queen Street Gallery, Woollahra

2014  Solo Printmaking Exhibition, 'Vertigo Warriors', Jayes Gallery Molong.  April – May 2014
2014   Colour City Creatives ‘Field Days/ Wine Week/ Food Week’ Group Exhibitions

2013/14  Orange Regional Gallery ‘100 km Art Show’ –  (Two works selected) - Group Exhibition
2013  Cowra Regional Gallery, Printmaking Exhibition – Group Exhibition by invitation (Six Artists Exhibiting)

2013   Colour City Creatives ‘Field Days/ Wine Week/ Food Week’ Exhibitions, The Barracks – Group Exhibitions
2013   Taste Orange ‘Frost Fest’ Art Exhibition – Group Exhibition
2013  ‘Australian Daydream’, Jane Tonks and Joel Tonks, Parkview Hotel, Orange – Joint Exhibition
2012/2013  Orange Health Service Arts + Health Strategy ‘A Clear View’ Exhibition
2012  Orange Tafe Diploma of Fine Arts end of year show – Group Exhibition
2012   ‘P5 Printmakers’ Exhibition, B Block Gallery, Orange Tafe – Group Exhibition
2012   Australian National Field Days Exhibition – Group Exhibition
2012   Colour City Creatives ‘Frost Fest’ Exhibition, The Barracks – Group Exhibition
2012   Taste Orange ‘Frost Fest’ Art Exhibition – Group Exhibition
2012   Taste Orange ‘Slow Summer’ Art Exhibition – Group Exhibition
2011   ‘100 Mile Show’ Orange Regional Gallery – Group Exhibition
2011  Orange Tafe Diploma of Fine Arts Class end of year show – Group Exhibition
2011   Solo exhibition ‘Immersed’, B Block Gallery, Orange Tafe  - Solo
2010   Bathurst Regional Art Gallery Portrait Prize, Bathurst NSW – Group Exhibition
2008  ‘Three Generations’ Exhibition, Parkview Hotel, Orange NSW - Curator & Exhibitor of Family Group Exhibit

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