ABOUT JO DICKSON
A born creative, I enjoy making things that are thought-provoking, aesthetically pleasing, functional, and sustainable—ideally a combination of the four. These are my guiding principles whether I am designing a building, a sculpture, a bowl, a lino print, or a painting.
This website showcases my extensive and eclectic body of work from over the past 30+ years.
I am currently not taking on building design work. I am focusing on writing books and producing a range of products I will launch later this year. Stay tuned.
A born creative, I enjoy making things that are thought-provoking, aesthetically pleasing, functional, and sustainable—ideally a combination of the four. These are my guiding principles whether I am designing a building, a sculpture, a bowl, a lino print, or a painting.
This website showcases my extensive and eclectic body of work from over the past 30+ years.
I am currently not taking on building design work. I am focusing on writing books and producing a range of products I will launch later this year. Stay tuned.
BACKGROUND
chicken, aged 5 approx.
From an early age I loved to draw and write so it was clear that creativity was my calling.
My grandmother taught me about painting and handed down her art books, fueling my imagination for years to come. This early drawing shows her influence. She kept chooks on the family property near Stanthorpe.
I use the paint palette and easel she used. Call me sentimental but I feel somehow through these treasures I may channel some of her spirit.
I grew up on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. After school I spent a year in Brazil on exchange, which ignited my passion for travel and influenced my choice to study art and music. I completed a Bachelor of Arts (ceramics major/cello minor). Later I did further studies in printmaking and building design.
After graduating I became an artist-in-residence at the Qld Potters Association, sharing a studio there. Three of us created a large mosaic public art project – the Toowong Village Clock Tower. Later I changed studios to Agent 029 Gallery in Paddington, Brisbane where I had my first two major exhibitions and became assistant curator.
Next I spent two years as artist-in-residence and teachers’ aide at St Laurence’s College, Brisbane.
I was commissioned to sculpt the pregnant Virgin Mary for the school. I have worked as a plaster mould master sculptor, commercial pottery manager, art tutor, commercial gallery assistant curator in two galleries and Protection & Services Officer at Queensland Art Gallery.
During a year teaching English in Japan I worked under the print master Ichiro Horio who taught me about woodblock printing. I then travelled to New Zealand and became an artist-in-residence at Barry Brickell’s Driving Creek Railway & Potteries in Coromandel for nearly four years.
On my return to Australia in 2006 I built my home and studio on Russell Island.
Specialising in printmaking, painting, clay sculpture and pottery, my influences include Rodin, Gaudi, Klimt and the Japanese Woodcut Printmakers. My work has been exhibited in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, England, USA and Canada and has been acquired for collections internationally.
My themes often revolve around my interests in travel, architecture, music, the human form and nature. Whatever the medium and scale, as long as it's aesthetically please and ideally also functional or sends an important message, I am satisfied.
My best work happens when I am not trying to please anyone. I only take commissions if I am allowed full design-control.
My approach to art is a bit scattered but it keeps me stimulated and I end up with an eclectic array of art work, so there is usually something for most tastes. I hope you will find something that resonates with you.
My grandmother taught me about painting and handed down her art books, fueling my imagination for years to come. This early drawing shows her influence. She kept chooks on the family property near Stanthorpe.
I use the paint palette and easel she used. Call me sentimental but I feel somehow through these treasures I may channel some of her spirit.
I grew up on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. After school I spent a year in Brazil on exchange, which ignited my passion for travel and influenced my choice to study art and music. I completed a Bachelor of Arts (ceramics major/cello minor). Later I did further studies in printmaking and building design.
After graduating I became an artist-in-residence at the Qld Potters Association, sharing a studio there. Three of us created a large mosaic public art project – the Toowong Village Clock Tower. Later I changed studios to Agent 029 Gallery in Paddington, Brisbane where I had my first two major exhibitions and became assistant curator.
Next I spent two years as artist-in-residence and teachers’ aide at St Laurence’s College, Brisbane.
I was commissioned to sculpt the pregnant Virgin Mary for the school. I have worked as a plaster mould master sculptor, commercial pottery manager, art tutor, commercial gallery assistant curator in two galleries and Protection & Services Officer at Queensland Art Gallery.
During a year teaching English in Japan I worked under the print master Ichiro Horio who taught me about woodblock printing. I then travelled to New Zealand and became an artist-in-residence at Barry Brickell’s Driving Creek Railway & Potteries in Coromandel for nearly four years.
On my return to Australia in 2006 I built my home and studio on Russell Island.
Specialising in printmaking, painting, clay sculpture and pottery, my influences include Rodin, Gaudi, Klimt and the Japanese Woodcut Printmakers. My work has been exhibited in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, England, USA and Canada and has been acquired for collections internationally.
My themes often revolve around my interests in travel, architecture, music, the human form and nature. Whatever the medium and scale, as long as it's aesthetically please and ideally also functional or sends an important message, I am satisfied.
My best work happens when I am not trying to please anyone. I only take commissions if I am allowed full design-control.
My approach to art is a bit scattered but it keeps me stimulated and I end up with an eclectic array of art work, so there is usually something for most tastes. I hope you will find something that resonates with you.
PRIZES, ACQUISITIONS & COMMISSIONS
2017 Winner Our Redlands Story Competition Redland City Council
2012 Community map commissioned by Redland City Council
2003 Sculpture commissioned for private collection in USA
2003 Warwick Art Festival – Judge’s commendation for painting
2002 Qld Arts Council Cover Art Challenge Finalist
2002 Series of banners Commissioned for Coromandel Arts Festival
2000 Statue of the pregnant Virgin Mary commissioned by St Laurence’s College, Brisbane
1996 Brisbane City Council Public Art Project. Commissioned by the Queensland Potter’s Association with Pam Maegdefrau & Camilla Sharman to create a mosaic base for the Toowong Clock Tower in Brisbane
1995 Sculpture in the collection of the Church of England Grammar School, Brisbane
1994 Wedgwood International Bicentennial Award – one of four designs short-listed in Australia
1994 Sculpture acquired for Gallery collection at Stanthorpe Art Festival (Judge - Timothy Morrell)
2012 Community map commissioned by Redland City Council
2003 Sculpture commissioned for private collection in USA
2003 Warwick Art Festival – Judge’s commendation for painting
2002 Qld Arts Council Cover Art Challenge Finalist
2002 Series of banners Commissioned for Coromandel Arts Festival
2000 Statue of the pregnant Virgin Mary commissioned by St Laurence’s College, Brisbane
1996 Brisbane City Council Public Art Project. Commissioned by the Queensland Potter’s Association with Pam Maegdefrau & Camilla Sharman to create a mosaic base for the Toowong Clock Tower in Brisbane
1995 Sculpture in the collection of the Church of England Grammar School, Brisbane
1994 Wedgwood International Bicentennial Award – one of four designs short-listed in Australia
1994 Sculpture acquired for Gallery collection at Stanthorpe Art Festival (Judge - Timothy Morrell)
EXHIBITIONS
2018,19,20 "Fired Earth" and other exhibitions at Macleay Island Arts Centre.
2018 Woodford Music Box - solo exhibition in my portable interactive gallery at Woodford Planting Festival, Woodfordia, Australia
2017 Woodford Music Box - solo exhibition in my portable interactive gallery at Woodford Folk Festival, Woodfordia, Australia
2017 Island Made group exhibition by invitation, Curated Spaces with Redland Art Gallery , Cleveland, Australia
2016 Island Made group exhibition by invitation, Curated Spaces, Russell Island , Australia
2005 Tsunami Fundraiser Exhibition with Deborah Hide and 18 local artists, Coromandel, NZ
2004 “Inmates” Exhibition, 9 Artists-in-Residence of D.C.R, Coromandel, NZ
2004 “Threesome” Exhibition with Helka Karjalainen and Andrea Gaia, Coromandel, NZ
2004 Exhibition with Mary Foreman and Ropata Shepherd, Coromandel, NZ
2004 Exhibition with Rebecca South, Seb Craig and Tim Holman, Coromandel, NZ
2003 Joint Exhibition with Ropata Shepherd, Pyromania, Tauranga, NZ
2003 Warwick Art Festival (judge’s commendation for painting), Warwick, Australia
2002 Exhibition with Monira Kilian, Ropata Shepherd and Mary Lee.
2002 “North and South” exhibition with Peter Brickell and Mary Lee, Coromandel, NZ
1999 Group exhibition (by invitation) at Falls Creek, Australia
1998 “Last Impressions” joint exhibition with Robert Andrews at The Studio, Brisbane
1998 Solo exhibition at Café Citrus, Brisbane
1997 “Nude” solo exhibition, Brisbane
1996 “Leaky Boat” joint exhibition with Camilla Sharman at Agent 029 Gallery, Brisbane
1995 Group exhibition (by invitation) at Crafts Council of Queensland
1994 Group exhibition (by invitation) at Five Rivers Gallery, Albert Shire Council
1994 Stanthorpe Arts Festival, Stanthorpe (piece acquired for Gallery collection)
1993 “Carnaval – O Grande Ilusao” solo exhibition at The Big Small Gallery USQ
2018 Woodford Music Box - solo exhibition in my portable interactive gallery at Woodford Planting Festival, Woodfordia, Australia
2017 Woodford Music Box - solo exhibition in my portable interactive gallery at Woodford Folk Festival, Woodfordia, Australia
2017 Island Made group exhibition by invitation, Curated Spaces with Redland Art Gallery , Cleveland, Australia
2016 Island Made group exhibition by invitation, Curated Spaces, Russell Island , Australia
2005 Tsunami Fundraiser Exhibition with Deborah Hide and 18 local artists, Coromandel, NZ
2004 “Inmates” Exhibition, 9 Artists-in-Residence of D.C.R, Coromandel, NZ
2004 “Threesome” Exhibition with Helka Karjalainen and Andrea Gaia, Coromandel, NZ
2004 Exhibition with Mary Foreman and Ropata Shepherd, Coromandel, NZ
2004 Exhibition with Rebecca South, Seb Craig and Tim Holman, Coromandel, NZ
2003 Joint Exhibition with Ropata Shepherd, Pyromania, Tauranga, NZ
2003 Warwick Art Festival (judge’s commendation for painting), Warwick, Australia
2002 Exhibition with Monira Kilian, Ropata Shepherd and Mary Lee.
2002 “North and South” exhibition with Peter Brickell and Mary Lee, Coromandel, NZ
1999 Group exhibition (by invitation) at Falls Creek, Australia
1998 “Last Impressions” joint exhibition with Robert Andrews at The Studio, Brisbane
1998 Solo exhibition at Café Citrus, Brisbane
1997 “Nude” solo exhibition, Brisbane
1996 “Leaky Boat” joint exhibition with Camilla Sharman at Agent 029 Gallery, Brisbane
1995 Group exhibition (by invitation) at Crafts Council of Queensland
1994 Group exhibition (by invitation) at Five Rivers Gallery, Albert Shire Council
1994 Stanthorpe Arts Festival, Stanthorpe (piece acquired for Gallery collection)
1993 “Carnaval – O Grande Ilusao” solo exhibition at The Big Small Gallery USQ
Leaky Boat exhibition with Camilla Sharman, Agent 029
Threesome Exhibition with Helka Karjaleinen and Andrea GaiaHauraki House, Coromandel NZ
EDUCATION
2019 TAFE Diploma of Building Design
2009 TAFE Certificate IV in Residential Drafting
2001 Japanese Woodcut Printmaking Society, Japan
1996 TAFE Wheel Thrown Pottery subject
1995 TAFE Printmaking subjects: Intro to Digital Technologies, Visual Arts Industry Awareness,
Relief Printing – Tonal Prints, Relief Printing – Rag Papers, Lithography
1994 TAFE Certificate in Training and Development
1990-93 Bachelor of Arts - Ceramics Major/Music Minor University of Southern Queensland
1989 Sem.2 Fine Arts Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Brazil - exchange student
2009 TAFE Certificate IV in Residential Drafting
2001 Japanese Woodcut Printmaking Society, Japan
1996 TAFE Wheel Thrown Pottery subject
1995 TAFE Printmaking subjects: Intro to Digital Technologies, Visual Arts Industry Awareness,
Relief Printing – Tonal Prints, Relief Printing – Rag Papers, Lithography
1994 TAFE Certificate in Training and Development
1990-93 Bachelor of Arts - Ceramics Major/Music Minor University of Southern Queensland
1989 Sem.2 Fine Arts Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Brazil - exchange student
RESIDENCIES
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PUBLIC ART PROJECTS
Toowong Village Clock Tower Mosaic with Pam Maegdefrau and Camilla Sharman
