Artist's Statement

The land is my abiding inspiration. Land exudes energies to nurture and influence the life it sustains. I use landscapes as a dramatic stage for presenting ideas, often reflecting some philosophical or social issue.

While developing my original idea, I reflect my world as I see it and, in this sense, my work is contemporary. But it is the stitching process which satisfies and links me back into the chain of human condition, firmly locating me within a needlework tradition.

The image of each work is airbrushed with dye onto whole cloth. This dyed top is always quilted, with sweeps and emphases designed to enhance the image. The gentle gathering of stitch creates a textured surface and gives greater depth and interest to the initial image.

Although I have trained in drawing and painting, I find a greater satisfaction in expressing my creative imagery in fabric. I enjoy the fall and flow of fabric, and its versatility.

RECENT INVOLVEMENTS AND SUCCESSES

April 2002 - Emergence & Evolution , solo exhibition at Sturt Gallery, Mittagong NSW Australia (during Fibre Forum 2002)

April 2002 -  Slick Tricks and Sleight of Hand: Devices for Designers , workshop taught at Fibre Forum 2002, Mittagong NSW Australia

2001 -  Fragility & Endurance  essay by Glenda King, Craft Arts International No.53, pp 18-22 Australia

2000-2001 -  Fragility & Endurance - Textiles by Jan Irvine-Nealie , solo exhibition following residency at Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery, Launceston Tasmania Australia.

2000 -  Fragility & Endurance - Textiles by Jan Irvine-Nealie , catalogue (32p, colour illustrated), essay by Glenda King, published by Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery.

TEACHING BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

I like to teach people who are discovering their individual sense of style.  I like to take students through a process of unveiling their own process, using their own solutions toward an extension of their own textile practice.

I have lectured and taught workshops throughout Australia and in several other countries.  My range extends from design approach, through textile practice to exhibition/presentation management on individual, group and organisational level.

WORKSHOPS

1. Slick Tricks & Sleight of Hand: Devices for Designers - design workshop

2. Stitch the Project - Draw the Line - stitching workshop

3. Exhibition Design and Installation - practical workshop to install exhibitions

LECTURE

1. Landscape as Metaphor  (own work) - slide lecture

OTHER ACTIVITIES:

In addition to exhibiting self-determined art quilts Jan is able to respond to commissions on small or large scale.

For more information about Jan's quilts, workshops and lectures, please email quiltmakers@ozquiltnetwqork.org.au