Jane Tonks Artist
About the Artist
Jane Tonks is a regional Australian Artist living on Wiradjuri Country, Orange NSW. Jane has a Diploma of Fine Arts and specialises in large, contemporary, expressive landscape painting and various forms of printmaking, featuring whimsical etchings, linocuts, collagraphs and woodblock prints.
Artist Statement
My recent creative work has focused on the climate crisis and Australian bushfires. Devastating images of the 2019/2020 bushfires are scorched into the psyche of the Australian consciousness. Although it is written, both in nature and in scientific journals, the predictions of ongoing, dramatic climatic changes and the impact on our environment are still being contested in wars of words on political fronts. Many of my paintings examine the fragility and vulnerability of the natural environment and its dual capacity for resilience, endurance and strength. There is an incredible beauty in the colours and details of the charred environment and its capacity for renewal. The narrative of the artworks examine the mirrored fragility and resilience of the human condition to the qualities of the natural environment. Through this creative process, I attempt to impart the viewer, not with a sense of seeing, but rather a sense of being part of the landscape, of deep belonging, spiritual connection, of custodianship and responsibility. A powerful response is evoked when the mind is stilled and the sacred is allowed to reveal itself in the interconnection and oneness of all things. I try to tap into this energy when I create my artwork.
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
Grants & Awards:
2023 - Highly Commended, Cabonne Aquisitive Art Prize
2022 - Finalist, Regional Landscape Prize, Corner Store Gallery
2021 - Finalist, Mini Series Art Prize, Corner Store Gallery
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 - $1,000 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
Wilderists Inc.
Exhibitions:
2022 Regional Landscape Prize Exhibition, Corner Store Gallery
2022 Here and Now Group Exhibition, Orange Regional Gallery (Upcoming October 2022)
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