Jane Suffield
MCCRAE, VIC
Textile artist Jane blends shibori, indigo dyeing, and sashiko stitching to evoke nature’s beauty and creativity in her tranquil works.
Message
Jane was born in 1957 in Nairobi, Kenya, and migrated to Australia at age seven. She showed an affinity for visual expression from an early age and explored drawing and painting. Her early interest in visual arts led to studies in Interior Design and a career in architecture. Over the past 15 years, Jane has specialized in shibori and indigo dyeing, learning from renowned teachers including master indigo dyer Aboubakar Fofana, shibori teacher Jane Callander, and natural dyer Julie Ryder. She recently studied in Japan with shibori expert Bryan Whitehead.
Jane’s artistic practice is defined by techniques exclusive to textile art that cannot be replicated in other media. The tactile ritual of binding, dyeing, and stitching is central to Jane’s practice, where each step is both deliberate and open to chance, echoing nature's unpredictability. The recent addition of sashiko-inspired stitching adds further tactile and visual complexity.
Jane’s work seeks to evoke a sense of tranquillity and wonder, inviting viewers to contemplate the interplay between nature, and human creativity.
She has exhibited with the Shibori Network and Peninsula Studio Trail, and her work is held in the collection of the Hong Kong Polytechnic. Her recent solo exhibition at Montsalvat explored traditions and innovation in textile art.
Statement
My artistic journey began in Kenya, where I was born. Exploring nature with my family sparked a deep appreciation for the natural world. Migrating to Australia at seven gave me a unique perspective and a curiosity about diverse cultures, especially Japan. These formative influences continue to shape my creative outlook and artistic direction.
From childhood I was drawn to visual expression, experimenting with various painting mediums before discovering my affinity for textiles and natural dyeing. Although textiles have been with humanity for millennia, it is only recently that they have moved from the strictly domestic sphere into the world of Art. I love the sensuality of fabric and my art respects the materiality of it by not covering it with pattern.
My artistic practice is defined by techniques that are exclusive to textile art and cannot be replicated in other mediums. Shibori techniques of pattern making by binding, clamping, or stitching of the fabric to create a resist and the action of the indigo dye vat is unique. The recent integration of sashiko-inspired stitching further enhances the tactile and visual complexity of my work.
Indigo was historically associated with rough, hard-wearing garments. However, the deep blue hue has come to symbolise wisdom, intuition, and spirituality. Blue-bearing plants and indigo traditions are found worldwide, reflecting the dye’s enduring significance and universal appeal.
Drawing on my background in interior design, I approach each work with precision and attention to detail. My journey into shibori has been exploration through workshops, reading and independent research. Each work is guided by the tactile qualities of the fabric, the concept I wish to express, and the patterns chosen to communicate that vision. Although shibori is a deliberate, slow process, happy accidents always occur resulting from the intersection of the resist and the dye vat, a marriage embracing both control and spontaneity.
My work is a meditation on the patterns of nature deeply influenced by the bays, beaches, and natural bush of the Mornington Peninsula. As a pattern maker, I strive to convey the complexity of natural forms into refined abstractions, allowing the qualities of the dye and fabric to guide the final composition. This approach honours the organic origins of my materials and my ongoing exploration of the relationship between nature, process, and artistic expression.