My Art Works
From 2019, I have focused on exploring my own creativity.
One small step
I started by working with 8 x 8 canvas panel pieces. I could ‘give it a go’ without too much pressure to produce something ‘good’. Creating this safe space fostered a spark.
Nurturing the spark
I needed to maintain my belief that I could do this. Surrounding myself with people who encouraged me was so important. It was the joy in the process of creating that kept me persisting. Now life without art is unimaginable.
Exhibitions
2020
Finalist in the Eurobodalla River of Art competition.
2021
Healing Through Art – Lorem Artis group exhibition.
2022
‘Firestorm’ – Lorem Artis group exhibition.
2023
Body of Work
Central Tilba Big Hall- Group exhibition
Finalist in the Eurobodalla River of Art competition.
Finalist in the Eurobodalla River of Art competition.
2024
UNCUT – a powerful collaboration between artist, art therapist and photographer dedicated to those who didn’t survive.
A supported exhibition as part of the BAS About Town Art Program.
Three women, three different perspectives woven together, creating a visual & visceral experience giving voice to one woman’s story of betrayal. One of many who were lost – one lone voice in a chorus of voices silenced. Combining collage, pen drawings, photography, 3D artworks and poetry, this exhibition is an immersive experience.
Jacq, a survivor of sex trafficking, has “multiple personalities” or dissociative identity disorder (DID). When she decided she was ready to tell her story, the concept of UNCUT, was formed. A story of unimaginable horrors, amidst resilience, inspiration and hope. Jacq had been silenced for so long – by her family, her religion, her school, her abusers, as well as the political and psychiatric systems. Working with the art therapy process, Jacq experienced shifts within herself; she questioned her core beliefs and reframed her trauma experiences. With new understandings, came overwhelming grief and the need to give voice to her story, for her story to finally be heard.
Jacq on Art and Art Therapy
“I started the art process as a very young child in the dirt and sand with rocks and sticks. Art for me is survival, I cannot have one without the other. It provides me the permission and the outlet to make sense of the world.”
Kareli on Art Therapy and Collaboration
“Jacq has challenged me to explore new ways of maintaining my mental & emotional health as I engaged with the horrific trauma of her life. I needed to do my own art therapy to process this vicarious trauma. The creative process whether with words, stories, images, stick figures or scribble, all gives voice to the client’s pain, breaking the silence of their suffering, bringing relief when their voice is finally heard.”
On photography
The photography highlights both the trauma and how it can hide behind the seemingly normal, happy snapshots of our lives. It creates a poignant backdrop as it integrates collage with drawings. Lou’s photography reflects the beauty and joy she sees in the landscape around her, both contrasting and complementing the theme of the exhibition. In this way we see the disparity between outer and inner realities – the reality that is seen and the reality that is hidden.
Exhibition comments
“Uncut is a beautifully presented exhibition that grabs you in the heart. There is so much emotion – dark, hopeful and transformational captured in the beautiful images of colour and pattern. You are an amazing group of artists!”
– Sam Perks Ceramic Artist
“Thank you so much for sharing your story…so generously and bravely. As a psychologist this exhibition was a profound experience, opening my mind to DID and the potential of art in the therapeutic process. A must-see for all mental health workers.”
– Dr Nadine Hills
“Very moving, as a woman who has suffered in a long silence this has touched me deeply this afternoon. Thank you for sharing your vulnerability.”
– Tabatha
“I’m so in awe of the work, the heart, the fierce and alive courage of this exhibition. It tells many important stories with intricacy and power and space and sensitivity. Lou’s grounding and timeless images, Kareli’s wisdom, vision and insight for symbols and storytelling and Jacq’s carefully vivid scenes of pain, brightness and hope. This show demonstrates to us the power of art and creative therapy in expressing what is beyond words and supporting each other through what may feel insurmountable.”
– Ashley Darby Creative Arts Therapist
“Words, words, words, always words, never enough to express emotions, raw emotions, unexpressed emotions. . . images captured here so extraordinarily what words simply cannot. Thank you for the courage and heart it must have taken to deliver this. . . no word for it again. Much love- enormous gratitude for what you have all done.
P.S. The world needs to ‘hear’ this.”
– Sara
“The holy trinity -Jacq, Kareli, & Lou – a stunning exhibition, sacred, profound, deeply evocative, courageous. Thank you for allowing us to witness both the horror & the healing potential of creative practice – but most important – the holding relationship of trust, care and revelation. Thank you also to Jacq for your searing honesty, courage & artistry.”
– Kerry Devine Social Worker & Artist
“A truly moving experience to see this exhibition. Just absorbing the imagery, symbolism, colour, and words. So powerful and incredible. Human resiliency! – really glad that I came down from Sydney to witness this.”
– Amanda
Prints are available for all 2D artworks
JAC_Kareli_Prints
Artists in collaboration
Art as therapy invites discovery after discovery, of going within, navigating complex trauma, unveiling, unmasking that which lays beneath. Using collaborative art to transform and inform allows the intersection of darkness into light, of rising and settling into a deeper union. A meeting place of possibility and discovery. Snapshots as you pass by, capturing fragments, building, of coming apart to come together. Art has a gentleness about it that intensifies my own understanding of self and insight into my own essence.
– Jacq
Working with Jacq to help her speak her trauma I started my own art therapy practise to manage the vicarious trauma. That evolved into sharing my art with Jacq, as part of her therapeutic process. In turn, Jacq used my art as a way of engaging with new possibilities.
A testament to the power of art.
My collaborative work with Kareli.
These works are pens on paper over her collage base. It is a very fine work with a layering of inks. It can be challenging to hold all that in the space for as long as needed.
At the moment working in collaboration with Kareli, fellow artist, is my inspiration.
– Jacq
To view available prints go to their Instagram page.
Bleeding Out – Collaboration with JAC– 2020
A reflection on the blended experiences of fire, flood, and pestilence (covid). Destruction on all levels – environmental, physical, emotional, psychological, and deep at the very core of our humanity. Fires swept away by rising flood waters, burnt black debris washed ashore, one fear replaced by another fear of impending disaster. This artwork is symbolic of the fury of flames, the floods of tears and then the masked devastation of social distancing, lockdowns and nowhere to play.
Together We Soar – 3 – 2024
The freedom of fantasy,
imagining what could be,
not an escape from reality
but a flying free.
Colour, light, and possibility,
silent synergy of three.
Feathers, wings,
and wondrous things.
Together We Soar – 2024
I love this image of the owl, the girl and the feather. It is from the picture book, Hope is the Thing, by Johanna Bell and Erica Wagner. Erica’s collages inspired my interpretation of hope and possibility using feathers as wings. Reflecting the importance of connection, relationship, interdependence – we reach our full potential in synergy with others.
Perfectly All Right – Portrait of a Woman – 2023
Provocative, daring, madcap or minx,
so many exciting choices.
Lipstick shades red, purple or pink
with matching outfits.
Fit-outs in perfect sync.
Bewitched – 2023
Here I used my granddaughters drawings as part of this work, a present for her 10th birthday.
Flowers, lollypops and butterflies,
wander here, and wonder why.
Imaginations, flit and fly,
flourish, then drift awry.
When Tilba Calls – 2023
The process of creating ‘When Tilba Calls’ allowed me to reflect on the impact and value of our shared history. I emersed myself in reading about the history of Tilba, explored the area in person and through the lens of photographers past and present. I realised that this hall, is far more than the building itself, it reflects the building of community, culture and connection through shared experiences bringing a strong sense of place. It is our shared experiences that unites us. Our history forms us but doesn’t need to define us. History is important to know, to learn from, a foundation to build from to create new possibilities. We are not our history; we are who we are becoming.
Hooked – 2023
The blues of Narooma sparkle, swimming in and out of reality; a place to wander and dream, to ramble and rest, a treasure chest.
Redact Your Age – 2023
Think about age in terms of experience and wisdom rather than a number that defines you. Age brings with it understanding the importance of relationship, especially with children; the courage not to care, to fly free of expectations; and give yourself permission to be the person you’ve always wanted to be. Age gives us the balance and resilience to walk the tightrope of life, to meet the challenges that make each day exciting. I appropriated illustrations by Tony Ross and Alison Lester.
I-spy – 2023
I-spy with my little eye.
‘Hey Google, are you there?’
‘I’m always here for you.’
Struth – 2023
An exclamation of shock, surprise.
A contraction of the words “God’s truth”.
A devastation of decency and truth.
A heresy of disinformation.
Revenge of the Undead – 2023
Referencing classic comic grisly horror tales from the 1950s – a work of fiction.
No Balloons For Me – 2022
Reflecting the experience of not being a ‘lollypop’ girl, one of the ‘cool’ kids. A sense of not deserving the good things in life, an empty shadow of longing, a gaping hole of missing out, that follows you all your life.
River of Tears – 2021
So much sadness, so much damage – a devastating flood of tears.
Smoke and Mirrors – 2021
‘Smoke and Mirrors’, like a bat out of hell, emerged from the blind panic of the Black Summer Fires and the Covid Pandemic of Fear. A magical illusion making the entity appear to hover in empty space, drawing attention while distorting facts – a conjuring trick – an artful deception. A cloak and dagger Fire Sale of land, animals and values gone up in black smoke.
RACKed – 2022
Meaning: A framework or stand on or in which articles are placed, an instrument of torture. To suffer torture, pain, anguish, or ruin; to stretch or strain violently; to harass or oppress, extort; to work or treat material; to become forced out of shape or out of plumb.
Nip and Suck – Nipped into acceptable shape, stitched up, sucked dry, milked.
Button Up – Contained, camouflaged, covered up.
Pin up girl – A specimen for display. Staked, stared at, stalked.
Medical Model – A cancerous tumour, a malignant invader – scarred for life.
Illuminate series – 2021
For the Love of God
Palladium Blues
Christmas
This series of three crosses illuminates the link between trauma and mental health issues. Specifically highlighting the role of religion in trauma. They throw light on the betrayal of those in a position of sacred authority, there to protect and safeguard, to give hope and peace. They reflect on the inadequacy of the rights of children and focus on how abuse from a young age creates an alienated ‘displaced person’(dp). A person who does not have a ‘home’, a place to feel safe and at peace within themselves. This leads to further abuse as an adult – imprisoned in repeating patterns of being used and abused. The trauma images are contrasted with photos of the artist as a child reflecting a relatively ‘normal’ childhood.
Nowhere to Stand – 2020
Scenes from a childhood – shattered and lost.
Hidden in silence, no sight of the cost.
Splits within self, don’t make any sense.
Where is the justice, the recompense?
Abused and abandoned by woman, by man.
The rights of children have nowhere to stand.
HeART Space Course
Finding your HeART space is about who you are becoming. It is about discovering the possibilities in your being. It is about finding your spark, the fire in your soul.
This course will help people identify what is blocking them from achieving their goals. It gives people techniques and tools to shift their blocks and consolidate behavioural change. It allows each person to work at their own pace within their own way of thinking and feeling. I believe that people are unique and that they will find what they need to complete their own inner journey. I feel privileged to help people achieve their goals.
Create your art from your heart.
More information coming soon.