Mary Jane is a self-taught textile artist. Her background is predominantly in science and medicine and she still works part-time as a cancer researcher. However, her education did not completely ignore the humanities, and although she has no formal training in art, she was a professional viola player for about 30 years.
As a doctor she is particularly interested in the portrayal of the human form and all parts of the human body. In 2014 after discovering Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) online, and retiring from viola playing, she began an exploration into portraiture and nudes. She creates photo-realistic textile works, predominantly nudes and portraits, and more recently has incorporated some social commentary based on the human form.
She is a member of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA), Gondwana Textile Artists (an invitation only group of textile artists from New Zealand and Australia), Quilters and Patchworkers of Otago, Ltd, and an artist member of the Otago Art Society.
Juried Exhibitions, Shows and Awards
I do not send my artworks on the international exhibition circuit. I usually exhibit each large artwork in a maximum of 2 international exhibitions and then they go to their permanent homes. Commissions do not get exhibited at all, unless special permission is granted.
2019
Juried into the 'It's All Relative' challenge from Experience Fiber Art, New York, USA, 2018. Won a juror's award.
Juried into the Ailsa Craig exhibition, Canada, 2019.
Juried into the Rotorua Quilt Show, New Zealand, 2019
Juried into the Ailsa Craig exhibition, Canada, 2019.
Juried into the Rotorua Quilt Show, New Zealand, 2019
Jewelled Gecko on Native Ngaio
Juried into the Ailsa Craig exhibition, 'New Zealand, Through Our Own Eyes', Canada, 2019.
Juried into the Rotorua Quilt Show, New Zealand, 2019
2018
Juried into the international OURstory exhibition about civil rights, 2018.
Exhibited in the guest exhibition in Houston, Texas, 2018.
Appeared on the front page of the Houston Chronicle, 2018.
Currently still touring in the USA.
Appears in the publication 'OURstory Quilts: Human Rights Stories in Fabric', Schiffer Publishing.
Finalist in the International Quilt Association exhibition in Houston, Texas, 2018.
From Greek Mythology: the Metamorphosis of Zeus into a Swan
Juried into the World Quilt Festival, 2018.
Quilters and Patchworkers of Otago Inc.
Black and White and Read All Over
The Changing Face of Fashion: Bridesmaid 1906
Otago Art Society Summer Exhibition.
Dunedin, New Zealand.
2017
Respite from the Heat juried into the PAQA ‘Respite’ exhibition, USA. A commissioned textile work.
Otago Art Society, NZ ‘Off the Rack’ exhibition. The Changing Face of Fashion: Bridesmaid 1906.
Quilters and Patchworkers of Otago Inc. ‘Black, White and a Bright’ competition. Black and White and Read All Over. Overall winner.
Aotearoa Quilters, NZ. ‘Fragile’ competition and exhibition. I am the Keeper of Fragile Things. Included in Aotearoa Quilters 2018 calendar.
2016
One of 10 finalists in an International Competition for black and white artwork run by Urban Riche Gallery. ‘Urban Riche Gallery is an online gallery dedicated to bringing you the best emerging and mid-career artists, their opinions, and exhibitions geared towards artists pushing boundaries and exploring the limits of creativity.’
Aotearoa Quilters, NZ.
Mum’s Dahlia. Entry for the ‘yellow’ colour challenge. Sold at SAQA auction 2017.
In the Pink: Floral Nude with Fig-leaf and Flowers. Sold at ‘Floral’ challenge exhibition.
Flight of Ideas was juried into a national touring exhibition of 20 art quilts from the ‘Flight’ challenge. Pictured in the New Zealand Quilter, issue 97.
Quilters and Patchworkers of Otago Inc. biennial exhibition.
The Old Crumblies: Rosalie and Sam 2nd equal viewers’ choice.
2014
Quilters and Patchworkers of Otago Inc. biennial exhibition.
…and a golden pear. Overall winner of colour chip challenge.
I See Red
Articles
Flight of Ideas was pictured in the New Zealand Quilter, issue 97.
The portrait of my grandfather Pop, aged 100 featured in an article about me in the New Zealand Quilter magazine, issue 98.