Q & A with Jo Dyer
Jo Dyer in her studio, photograph by Bianca Charleston.
Q & A with Jo Dyer
Jo Dyer has exhibited with us here at The Corner Store Gallery on and off over the past 18 months and we just LOVE her layered, tactile, feminine aesthetic. Jo is based in Newcastle and has enjoyed a successful boom in her practice over the past couple of years exhibiting widely across Australia.
Botanical Extracts is Jo’s second solo exhibition of 2021 (she’s been a very busy woman) and we are thrilled to show you this fabulous body of work. Unfortunately due to many lockdown’s and restrictions I wasn’t able to travel to Newcastle to see Jo’s studio but she was kind enough to send through some shots of the work in progress and answer a few questions so you guys could get to know her better.
Botanical Extracts is on display from August 18th to 28th 2021, with online sales launching at 8pm Tuesday August 17th via our website.
Detail of Jo Dyer’s studio.
Tell us a little about your background. How long have you been making art?
I'm an artist based in Newcastle which is where I grew up. I've been making art since I graduated from the University of Newcastle in 2008 and I now paint full time.
You have a unique style of transparent, textural layers, can you talk us through your process.
I paint primarily in acrylic but incorporate other media like chalk pastel, collage and oil stick. My paintings are very much about the textural layers and I build these up with acrylic medium. I often find that my best works were previous "failures" that I've painted over - there's lots of rich texture in the under layers that adds an authentic history to them. This approach frees me up to be experimental and paint intuitively, as I don't mind painting over something if I feel it's not working.
Jo Dyer in her studio, photograph by Bianca Charleston.
Can you describe your studio space to our readers?
My studio is currently in my garage at home - which is handy as we've just gone into lockdown. I've installed some shelving for my materials and try to keep the space fairly organised though it's usually in a state of productive chaos.
What inspired this body of work?
I moved back to Newcastle at the end of last year after living in Melbourne for two years. This change has directly influenced these works as I've settled back into my home and become reacquainted with the beauty of Newcastle's coastline and plant-life.
Banksia integrifolia, or Coast Banksia is common along Newcastle’s coast and streets and the foliage of this plant is symbolic for me. I planted one of these trees on my birthday in Dad’s garden the year that he died. This is my sister’s garden now, and it is where my nephews play.
This series of works explores the theme of belonging through the recurring motif of banksia integrifolia foliage, which is drawn, painted or etched back into each artwork. The familiarity of this iconic plant, and seeing it everyday in my own neighbourhood has helped me reconnect to my sense of belonging here. Having a sense of belonging is something that I realise I actively need to cultivate for myself; connecting to nature each day through walking, as well as making art, are part of this active process for me.
What’s next for you?
I'm currently working on a number of commissions and some new work for a group show in Adelaide later in the year.
Jo Dyer, Works on Paper.
Detail of Jo Dyer’s studio.
Detail of Jo Dyer’s studio.
Detail of Jo Dyer’s studio.