jane orr

Biography

Jane Orr was born in Dunedin in 1954 and raised her family there. She studied at the University of Otago graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Information Systems and Accounting.

While finishing her degree Jane commenced work as a programmer/analyst for the Dunedin City Council Management Information Systems department. When she left the Council in 1988 she was manager of the department.

Moving to Sydney to pursue a career as a self employed management consultant Jane spent the next 12 years working on contract to large corporate organisations and government departments. She specialised in recovery of major projects that were in difficulty.

Pursuing an interest in jewellery making

As a result of project work Jane spent 2 years in Denmark where she became excited by the wealth of art and design. After being offered positions managing major art galleries in Copenhagen, Jane gained the confidence to pursue a life and career in art.

On returning from Denmark she commenced her training and experimentation in jewellery making. Over a period of time Jane has developed her own unique style and has offered her work for sale through galleries in Queenstown, Wellington and Auckland.

In 2003 Jane moved to Wanaka to be near family. Taking the opportunity to sell her jewellery through their café provided invaluable opportunities to meet and talk with her customers.

Expanding into larger artworks

Jane was invited to produce architectural pieces for her son’s new restaurant. This initially included serveries and a fire surround, but as the project progressed lighting features, door panels, mirrors and more were also added.

Her first large artworks were exhibited at the opening of Te Táwara ó Wanaka restaurant in April 2005. Displaying her work in both the café and restaurant brought it to the attention of international visitors resulting in sales to overseas collections.

When Jane’s son was diagnosed with a terminal illness, she continued with her art as an unconscious way of dealing with the family’s changing circumstances. The works during this time show particular depth and intensity.

Opening a gallery in Dunedin

In May 2007 Jane moved back to Dunedin to be near family and with the intention of opening her own gallery. When a character residence 2 blocks from the beach came up in St Clair, Jane leapt at the opportunity and her new gallery opened in June this year.

Occupying the front of the property, Jane’s contemporary gallery is relaxed and inviting. Easily accessible from the many local cafés, it is open to casual visitors as well as arranged appointments and special events such as lightly catered showings and open exhibitions.

All works sold in the gallery are created on site in the various workshop areas established for the different stages of the development process.

Jane’s work is currently being marketed in Dunedin and regionally with the vision of again marketing more widely both nationally and internationally.

Philosophy

Art for Jane has always been an emotional process and while the works are an expression of her reaction to her surroundings, her hope is that they will reflect or evoke an emotional response personal to the viewer.

She believes there is no right way to interpret art. "You simply have to relax and take whatever it has to offer you personally. For many pieces that will be nothing at all, but for others it will be something wonderful."

Colour, texture, form and subject all impact on the emotions. "Some works bring back feelings from a special time or place, while others challenge you to look at things in a completely new way."

Colour is used extensively in all forms of Jane’s art - strong colours and unusual combinations making bold statements and subtle colour variations presenting more peaceful images.

Through experimentation, Jane has found copper to be a material that offers a virtually unlimited colour palette and opportunities for a wide range of exciting textures. While she works with a variety of materials, copper plays an important role in her art and she continues to exploit its properties in creation of an increasing number of styles and designs that are impressive in their diversity.

Jane takes inspiration from everything and everyone around her. She seldom prepares drawings in advance preferring instead to work freely from the heart. "I believe some of my best works have been created during the most emotionally challenging times in my life".

Future Direction

It is important to Jane that her work remains fresh, exciting and attainable. To this end she continues to offer her art in a variety of forms including jewellery, sculptural artworks and architectural pieces.

Jane continues to push the boundaries experimenting with new materials and techniques and continuing to investigate possibilities for development in new areas. She is actively pursuing ideas she has for a cooperative project with a talented printmaker, and her current plans include working more closely with those involved in fashion, hospitality and the commercial building industry.

Jane is keen to work on collaborative projects with parties skilled in other disciplines and her strong background in project management makes her the ideal person for coordinating projects of this sort.

Jane’s positive outlook on life and the possible reason for her success in the projects she undertakes can be seen in this verse written at an important time in her life.

How seemingly insignificant, one life in a universe boundless in time and space

- and yet how valuable

A truly splendid gift, given without instruction, rule or referee

A chance to participate, to contribute in our own unique way to something wondrous

The greatest sadness would be to waste it

Jane Orr