Artists Statement and Biogaphy

JAN HARRINGTON-JOHNSON

Born in Zomba, Malawi (Nyasaland in Central Africa).  I grew up on a farm in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe).  Moved to South Africa in 1980 In 1990  on moving to Cape Town participatied in exhibitions with well-known South African Artists.   .   In June 1997 we moved to Hong Kong, a city that affects all senses and inspiration came not only from the glistening high rise towers, but, from the everyday culture of the citizens, including their openness, friendliness and curiosity of this solitary “Gweipo” sketching and photographing their everyday life.  We moved to Australian in 2003, where I have worked full time with my husband in a business for 20 years. and still continued to follow my passion of Art.  I am now painting fulltime and teaching children art at Sydney Art School, which is a delight.

 

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS and AWARDS.

1992 - Constantiaberg Art Society - Cape Town South Africa

1992 - The Art Studio Exhibition, Constantia Village Gallery - Cape Town, South Africa

1994 - Kirstenbosch Gardens - Cape Town, South Africa

1995 - Groote Constantic Wine Farm Gallery - Cape Town South Africa

1996 - Kirstenbosch Gardens Gallery - Cape Town, South Africa

1997 - 2003.              Exhibited with Artists Abroad annually in Hong Kong at the Hong                                            Kong Convention Centre and Foreign Correspondence Club.

2010                           Ku ring gai Council – painting purchase

2012                            Fellow of Australian Society of Marine Artists.

2013                            Ku ring gai Council – purchase of painting at Awards Exhibition

2014                            Artist of the Year Australian Society of Marine Artists.

2014                            Presidents Award -Australian Society of Marine Artist.

2015                            Internationals Women's Day - Certificate of Recognition

2016                            Winner The Spirit of Ku ring gai Prize

2018                             Highly Commended -Oils Ku ring gai Art Awards Exhibition.

2019                             Art of Sydney Awards Exhibition - CASS Honours

2022                             Silver Jubilee Trophy - Ku ring gai Art Awards Exhibiion

2022                             Community Hero - NSW Government

2022                             Viewer’s Choice

2025.                            Ku-ring-gai Art Society - 3rd Prize Ann & Bill  Memorial Prize

                                      Gomes for  Pastel - Possum Passion

2025                             Ku ring-gai Art Society - 3rd Prize Oil Painting - Bondi to Tamarama.

2009 - 2025                  Ku-ring-gai Art Society has three juried exhibitions a year.

                                       Kings School Exhibitions

                                       Royal Easter Show exhibitions

October 2016                Participating in 50th Anniversary

 SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2003                        China Tee Club, Pedder Street, Hong Kong.

MEMBER:

1990                          South African Society of Artists, South Africa

1992                          Constantiaberg Society of Artists, South Africa.

1997                          Artists Abroad Association – Hong Kong  - a group of 16 artists                                             organising exhibitions yearly at the Hong Kong Convention Centre,                                         arranging tours to galleries and artists in Macau and China. Plein-air                                       paintings exhbitions around Hong Kong Each year we changed                                               organising positions enabling to fully be able to organise an exhibition.  2003                        The Confederation of Hong Kong Visual Artists

2009 -                      Member to Ku-ring-gai Art Society, Sydney, Australia

2010 -                       Secretary to Ku-ring-gai Art Society Sydney, Australia

2009 -                       Fellow of Australian Society of Marine Artists

 PUBLISHED:

1999                          Selected Works of Watercolour by Artists in Hong Kong

2000                        Hong Kong Visual Artists Directory 

 REVIEWS:

1999 September.     Planetexpat.com – Against the Grain                                                        September 1999      South China Morning Post, Hong Kong

November 2000      BC Magazine, Hong Kong                                          

November, 2001      Town Crier, Hong Kong

October 2002          BC Magazine, Hong Kong

 

Artists in Residence for the Sydney Heritage Fleet – AIR

In 2012 – 2013, a three month association with Sydney Heritage Fleet as artists in residence. I took part as one of 10 women given access to the tugs, yachts, ferries, barges and baques under the auspices of the Sydney Heritage Fleet, being restored to preserve the history of Australian boating history.  The residency culminated with an exhibition on 26th April 2013.  Held on the James Craig to raise awareness for the Sydney Heritage Fleet.

 

Geo Art Project:

We met in Hong Kong as part of Artists Abroad and due to the movement of the expat community, we  now live in other areas of the world.  When I visited Annysa Ny  in New York, we wondered if the group could be united.  So the idea of the Geo-Art Project was born.

 

 A portfolio was created by a member living in Texas.  Based on the theory of 10 degrees of separation, you will know somebody, who knows somebody.   It will be carried by a friend of a friend to each destination.  Eventually, arriving back in Philadelphia for an exhibition.  The portfolio had a disposable camera, to record each destination and friend who carries the portfolio.  There was a diary included to record all the events, plus sleeves to carry the art work.  The artwork had to be a maximum of 17” x 14”.

 

The portfolio travelled from Texas to Los Angeles, Hawaii, Canada, New York, Hong Kong, Bali, Sydney Australia, back to Los Angeles, to rest in Philadelphia.  It has connected us all, the logistics of creating an exhibition left to one person has stalled the process.

 

But, for me I was happy to have my painting burnt..  But my friend will hold it until I can visit.