Joanne Stead
CREATIVE PRACTICE
Visual arts
ARTIST STATEMENT
Joanne Stead is a self-taught artist based in Tamworth, NSW. Describing herself as a “mum, artist and life enthusiast,” she recognises and draws on her surroundings, current issues, and “everyday magic” in her artmaking. “I believe that two of most important things in life are a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose,” Joanne says. “Feeling that you belong connects you the world around you, and feeling that you offer something meaningful connects you to society, so to have both is critically foundational. Reconnecting to my artistic side, as a reflection of what I can uniquely offer to the world, has been a major turning point for me.” A diverse artist, Joanne works across mediums including scraperboard, acrylics and linocut, with works depicting a range of subjects from her own experience and imagination. Climate change, species loss and the creation of a shared vision for the future, form a recurring theme in her current work. A founding member of the Tamworth Regional Art Collective, Joanne has also worked on seven public art projects over the last five years, including a number of murals and three large mosaic installations.
BIO
Solo Exhibitions
Sep 2019
Reflections of Country at Miss Ju Ju’s, Tamworth NSW
Nov 2017
Unmeasured Moments, at ME Artspace, St Leonards NSW
Aug 2016
Choosing to Fly, at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston QLD
Feb 2016
Scraperboard and Other Amusements, at cafe2340 gallery, Tamworth NSW
Joint Exhibitions
Apr 2021
Blindspot at Ceramic Break Sculpture Park, Warialda NSW
Jan 2021
Blindspot at Tamworth Regional Gallery, Tamworth NSW
Sept 2020
Waste to Art at Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery, Gunnedah NSW
Feb 2019
Tethered: Embodying the Mother-Artist Model, University of Southern Qld, Toowoomba Qld
Sept 2018
Finding Extraordinary in Everyday Ordinary at Splash on Peel, Tamworth NSW
May 2018
Threads and Brushes at Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery, Gunnedah NSW
May 2017
Reconciliation Week Exhibition at University of Newcastle UDRH, Tamworth NSW
Mar 2017
Black and White at the Armidale Cultural Centre and Keeping Place, NSW
Jan 2017
Our Mob Creates at the Inland Cafe, Tamworth NSW
Public Art Installations
Apr 2021
Mural: Timbumburi Public School
Jan 2020
Mural: Tamworth Regional Council Cavalcade float
July 2018
Mosaic Installation: Tamworth Regional Youth Centre
Nov 2017
Mural Series: Electrical Substations, Tamworth
Sept 2017
Mural: Bondi Beach Sea Wall, Bondi NSW
Nov 2016
Mural: Ooranga Mobile Preschool, Currabubula NSW
Oct 2016
Mosaic Installation: Bicentennial Park, Tamworth
Mar 2016
Mosaic Installation: Tamworth Regional Youth Centre
Jul 2015
Entrance signage and Special Features: Tamworth Adventure Playground
CONTACT
joanne1stead@gmail.com