Joanne Dunn (painting as Joanne Reid) is a Wiradjuri woman, born in 1965 at Lake Cargelligo in New South Wales, Australia. In 1980 Dunn moved to Orange, New South Wales. Dunn is a self-taught artist, and during her career developed her own style, often combining Aboriginal and European art forms and also experimenting with abstract pieces.
Dunn started “Jemalong Art” (jemalong meaning platypus) in June 2000, prior to which she painted for eight years with various Aboriginal organizations.
Dunn has held a number of exhibitions both in Australia and the United States of America (in Nashville, Tennessee). She developed her talents into a commercial enterprise with the assistance of the Parkes Forbes Business Enterprise Centre, a not-for-profit business advisory service.
In 2001, Dunn presented the first of a number of major exhibitions of her work in Sydney at the Country Embassy, hosted by Peter Croft, Chief Executive Officer of Parkes Forbes Business Enterprise Centre and the Department of State and Regional Development.
The exhibition was opened by The Minister for Small Business, the Hon. Sandra Nori MP, as part of the launch of the Indigenous Small Business Advisory Service and featured 42 artworks by Dunn. In praise of the art, the Minister said:
'The exhibition highlights the talent and drive that Dunn has to translate her creative pursuits into a successful business and a source of financial independence’.
Another major exhibition at the State Parliament House in Sydney was opened by the then Premier of New South Wales, Mr. Bob Carr, and hosted by Peter Croft, Chief Executive Officer of Parkes Forbes Business Enterprise Centre. The exhibition consisted of 30 artworks by Dunn and was on display for twelve months.
Dunn’s depiction of Australian flora and fauna and her unique use of traditional Aboriginal methods also created interest in Nashville, Tennessee, when her works were exhibited at the Centennial Park Arts & Crafts Centre as part of the Australian Festival in 2003. Dunn will be making her first visit to Nashville in September 2006 where she will be exhibiting her works as part of the Australian Festival.
Her works have also become sought after for official and private collections. One of Dunn’s major works was purchased to hang in the Orange Court House. Other works have been purchased by the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales, State and Federal Parliamentarians.
Several of her works were purchased by a Sydney based firm for T-shirt and wall hanging designs and manufacture.
Dunn’s works extend from fine art to community projects. She designed the new welcoming signs located on the outskirts of Orange at each point of entry to the city.
Dunn developed a totemic design in 2003 by adapting it to a land drawing, which will be the basis for construction of a giant platypus to be built in Orange at the Gosling Creek Reserve. The overall theme for the site is “drawn from the land” which indicates that inspiration, ideas and materials are drawn from the site and pays tribute to Indigenous and non-Indigenous occupants of the area. The platypus design is the first component of the project which will become a land or earth art measuring 70 metres in length. The image will be visible from several sections of the park and from the air, connecting the entry signs from the outskirts to the city centre. Although the project has been developed is yet to be constructed whilst awaiting funding advice from Orange City Council.
Another of Dunn’s achievements includes use of her art works by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training to illustrate promotional materials for the Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Program. Similarly, her work was selected to adorn materials for the Indigenous Self Employment Program. These arrangements were negotiated by the BEC.
Dunn teaches Aboriginal Art and Cultural Practices through the New South Wales Technical and Further Education system.
More recently Dunn was invited to participate in the “Water Works” showing held at the Orange Art Gallery in November 2005. The story behind Dunn’s painting is:
“Waterworks is a thematic depiction of the history of the Orange waterways as seen through the eyes of a Wiradjuri woman. Its themes include the local river systems, ranging from Mount Canobolas to the Lachlan and including local fauna and flora”.
Dunn was also invited to exhibit at the Careflight Exhibition, held in Orange, in December 2005. Her latest project is a reconciliation project at Bowen Public School in Orange, New South Wales, which embraces the coming together of all children, with a particular emphasis on troubled youth.
Peter Andren, Independent Federal Member of Parliament (1996-2007) for Calare, is a great supporter of Dunn and has said in the context of Dunn’s Nashville exhibition, “This will be a great opportunity both for Dunn and to raise an awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal art in America. Aboriginal art covers a wide spectrum from Central Australia and Arnhem Land and urban Australia, from ancient to so-called traditional and modern. Dunn’s unique style has received wide acclaim, particularly her interpretation of nature and reconciliation themes”.
- Writers:
- Allas, Tess
Croft, Peter
- Date written:
- 2007
- Last updated:
- 2009
