Jane Russell, Bush Foods (26-13), 2026, 61 x 41cm, Acrylic on Canvas
Currently showing in What We Carry Forward at Arts in Health.
Artwork sold on stretcher bars.
Purchased artworks remain on show until the conclusion of the exhibition in late July.
Jane Russell was born in Port Augusta and grew up in Coober Pedy, where she has spent most of her life. A proud mother of four and grandmother of eleven, Jane’s love of art goes back to her school days, where she first learnt to sew at Coober Pedy School. As the eldest granddaughter of Monty O’Toole Senior (who had over eighty grandchildren) Jane grew up surrounded by strong family connections and cultural teachings. She spent much of her childhood travelling on Country with her grandparents, visiting significant sites, hunting, camping, and looking for opal to sell. These memories continue to inspire the colours and stories in her paintings today. Jane has always been active in her community, working in administrative roles for the Umoona Community and serving multiple terms as a board member for AMYAC. She was also involved in the local arts and crafts shed, exploring pottery, sewing, and painting. Alongside raising her own children, Jane has been a kinship carer, offering love and stability to family members in need. Now living in Adelaide for health reasons, Jane continues to paint from home and alongside her daughter, artist Lisa Khan. Her artworks reflect the warm, earthy colours of Coober Pedy: the place she still calls home and returns to several times a year. Painting keeps her spirit connected to her Country, her culture, and her identity.