Janet Laurence’s work echoes architecture while retaining organic qualities and a sense of instability and transience. Her work occupies the liminal zones or meeting places of art, science, imagination and memory. Profoundly aware of the interconnection of all life forms, Laurence often produces work in response to specific sites or environments using a diverse range of materials. Alchemical transformation, history and perception are underlying themes.
Laurence exhibits widely and has an impressive record of representation in important group exhibitions, including the 9th Biennale of Sydney (1992) and Australian Perspecta (1985, 1991, 1997). Following Laurence’s solo exhibition in 1991 at Seibu Gallery, Tokyo and since she was awarded an Australia Council studio residency in Tokyo in 1998, she has exhibited regularly in solo and group exhibitions in Tokyo and Nagoya. She has twice been invited to create permanent installations for the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial in Japan (2003, 2006).
Her recent solo exhibitions in Australia include 'Birdsong’, Object Gallery, Sydney; 'Janet Laurence’, Jan Manton Gallery, Brisbane (both 2006) and 'Greenhouse’, Sherman Galleries, Sydney (2005). A survey exhibition of her work was held in 2005 at the ANU Drill Hall Gallery, Canberra.
Well known for her public commissions and architectural collaborations, Janet Laurence has completed significant national and international projects, such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Australian War Memorial, Canberra (1993); The Edge of the Trees (with Fiona Foley ), Museum of Sydney (1994); 49 Veils (with Jisuk Han), award-winning windows for the Central Synagogue, Sydney (1999); In the Shadow , Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Homebush Bay (1998-2000); Stilled Lives , collection showcases, permanent display, Melbourne Museum (2000); the Australian War Memorial (with Tonkin Zulaikha Greer architects), Hyde Park, London; The Breath We Share , The Sidney Myer Commemorative Sculpture, Victoria (both 2003); and Waterveil , CH2 Building for Melbourne City Council (2006).
In 2006 Janet Laurence was awarded a Churchill Fellowship. She was a Trustee of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney (1996-2005) and in 2008 was working towards the completion of a PhD in ephemeral architecture at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Richard Mordaunt’s unique insight into the artist’s work practice was filmed during the years 1999-2007 and screened on ABC TV on 25 September 2007. Laurence’s work is represented in major Australian and international collections and has been included in national survey exhibitions.
- Writers:
- Murray-Cree, Laura
- Date written:
- 2006
- Last updated:
- 2008
