About

Jinari Mountain

MTeach., BA/BSc., Dip HC

I am interested in expressing deep beauty; something which evokes understanding of ourselves, each other and the natural world; whether through attracting joyous interaction, or expressing the sub-terrain of our soul.  Sometimes the expression, like the journey, is full of whimsy and delicious simplicity.  Other times it is confronting, murky and challenging.  I am inspired by that which at first glance disturbs, frightens, repulses and aggravates us, only to be struck with layers of humbling insight. During the process of making art I am frequently touched by how my darkness reveals light and my sorrow finds joy, and it is my hope that the viewer can share in some of this experience.

Many of my works explore myth and symbol and most touch on themes of ecological connectivity, decay and renewal.  In my research I draw on cultural understandings, practices and symbols of diverse ethnic groups; looking regularly for the teachings and images that survive time and change, and those which are commonly shared.  I am privileged to have spent intimate time in spiritual practice with Narrinjirri, Raminjerri, Yorta-Yorta and Nyampa Aboriginal Australians, and in America with Lakota, Navajo, Ojibwa and Inupiat elders and medicine people.  Personally I also draw upon my own Celtic - Hungarian ancestry. 

I am fascinated with decaying subject matter and the opportunities it presents for reflecting on the connection between death and regeneration in the natural world and as metaphor for the human psyche in difficult times. As current human endeavours transform the planet, the old adage, “ashes to ashes and dust to dust”, may no longer speak of the great nutrient recycling that is part of the natural history of this world, but rather what may become of us should we fail to pay our respects to life and its cycles.  In many of my drawings, such as seeds of summer, a drawing of dried seeding calendula flowers, the subject obviously holds the seeds and hope for new life; less obviously the actual flower petals made the herbal dye which imbues the paper.



Exhibitions:

Spring Sculpture Prize, Lot 19 Art Space, 2022

Spring Sculpture Prize, Lot 19 Art Space, 2018

Arts Open Festival, The Diggers Store, Terrainwith Helene Athanasiadis, 2016

Moora Moora EarthHeartBeat Festival HoneyBee Temple Gallery, 2015

Brunswick Street Gallery,
solo show, I Know You Myth Me, 2015

Brunswick Street Gallery, Small Works Prize, 2015

Castlemaine State Festival, Lot 19 Gallery, group show, Future-Hindsight, Respond to This. 2015

Castlemaine State Festival, Lot 19 Art Space Open Studios.  2015

Castlemaine Fringe Festival, Fire and Honey Jinari Mountain and Allis Maun poetry, stories and sung word. The Mount of Alex Bookstore 2015

Gallery @ City Library Land - e - scapes, 2014  Curated by Jinari Mountain.  Artists:  Helene Athanasiadis, Ann Berg, Patrick Davies, Carmela Leone, Curt Mountain, Jinari Mountain, Aunty Rochelle Patten, Katie Roberts, Barb Sparks.

Apple Annie's Bakery Cafe, Castlemaine, Solo Hanging Works on Paper, 2014

CASPA Gallery, Castlemaine, Drawn-out Moments & Sketchy Lines with  Allis Maun 2014


Arts Open Festival, Castlemaine, open studio 2014

Lot 19 Art Space, Studio Soiree with Helene Athanasiadis 2013

Lot 19 Gallery, Castlemaine Artists Market Gallery Show 2013

Gallery @ City Library, with Curt Mountain, The Cycle of Things, 2013

The Healing Well, solo hanging, 2013

Maldon Art Show, 2013

Lot 19 Gallery and Art Space,  Moolana Yakama Festival group show 2013

Castlemaine State Festival, Open Studios Lot 19, 2013

Castlemaine Fringe Festival, group show at The Comma, 2013

Toyota Community Spirit Gallery Melbourne Exhibition and Awards, For we are Young and Free, 2012

The Artists’ Alley Down Town San Francisco, 2011

Castlemaine State Festival, solo studio exhibition Born For This, 2011

aHa Studio and Gallery Brunswick, group exhibition Birth Babies & the Big V, 2011

Phee Broadway Theatre Castlemaine, with Rosy McKenry, Land and Spirit, 2010

Castlemaine Art Gallery, group exhibition Loss and Greif,  2007

Goodfoods Castlemaine, solo hanging, 2006

Castlemaine Fringe Festival - Community Exhibition 2005

Castlemaine Fringe Festival - Group Portrait Exhibition 2002

Castlemaine Fringe Festival - Dreams Group  Exhibition 2000

Next Wave Festival Melbourne, 1992

             
 
Prizes:
 
· The Salvage Yard Prize, Spring Sculpture Prize, Lot 19, 2018

· 62nd Blake Prize 2013 - Short listed/Director's Cut Selection, 2013

·  4th International Artavita Competition -  Special Recognition in 2013

·  Galiara International Juried Art Prize - Special Recognition Award, 2011

·  Galiara International Juried Art Prize - Short Listed 2011

·  Age/Nikon Photography Competition - Special Encouragement Award 1992

·  Age/Nikon Photography Competition - Heat Winner 1992

·  City of Collingwood Photographic Competition - First Prize 1992

·  Illford Student Photographic Competition - First Prize 1992

 

 
 Publications:

.   Daily Imprint March 2016 http://www.dailyimprint.net/2016/03/artist-jinari-mountain.html

. Scars between the Lines - poetry and writings by Jinari Mountain self published, 2015

·  Where is the Wild - poetry and writings by Jinari Mountain self published, 2014

·  Important World Artists Today - Curated by Despina Tunberg and published by World Wide Art Books, California, 2013

·  2011 International Contemporary Art Masters Vol. 5, Curated by Despina Tunberg and published by World Wide Art Books, California, 2011

·  How to Love a Harpy – poetry and writings by Jinari Mountain self published, 2011



 

 Commercial photographic and graphic art works for:

· Mount of Alex Bookstore

.  Aurora Calling Theatre Company

·  Above and Below Jewellery

·  Green Goes the Grocer

·  Spiral Domes

·  The Blenders

·  Castlemaine Community House

·  Soaring Heart and Earth Lover Clothing

·  Santa’s Photo Factory

·  Wholefoods Restaurant

·  Monash Environment Group

·  The Preston Computer Group

·  Bismilla Café

·  Photo Portrait Commissions, various private

 

 

Art Classes/Art Therapy Work:

·  Life Drawing Tutor, Seven Sisters Festival, 2014

.  Drawing Down the Moon, private group art classes for women 2013

·  Session facilitator for Interchange Loddon Campaspe, Art and Art Therapy activities, 2009

·  Private art therapy clients 2006 – 2013

·  Tutor for Art from the Start, for Castlemaine Community House 2005

·  Session facilitator for Loddon Prison’s Stronger Families program 2005, 2006 and 2007


  

Community Art Events:

·  Moolana Yakama Art Festival - event production and curator 2013

·  Rye Interfaith Peace Festival, Art Space Facilitator 2008

·  Organiser and MC for Mothers for Peace Community Mandala 2003

·  Organiser and Facilitator of Mothers for Peace Mandala Making Workshop, Castlemaine Inter-faith and Peace Festival 2003



 


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 Jinari Lee MountainCastlemaine, VI, Australia+61 43 444 1421

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