I acknowledge the Wodi Wodi people of Dharawal Country as the Traditional Custodians of the land where I live and work. I pay my respects to Elders past and present and honour the deep cultural knowledge and care that First Nations peoples have sustained over countless generations. My understanding of care and respect has grown through learning to listen to Country and be respectful of relationships and responsibilities to place and community.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Janine Bailey is an Australian artist, researcher and educator living and working on the unceded lands of the Wodi Wodi people in the Illawarra Region of New South Wales. Through sculptural, participatory and place-responsive art practices, she works with wool felt, natural materials and collaborative processes to explore care, connection and ecological belonging. Her projects emerge through listening, attuning to place and making-with materials and environments over time. Grounded in feminist care ethics, her work considers how creative practice can cultivate responsibility, sustain relationships and support more caring futures for community and Country
EDUCATION
2026 Doctor of Philosophy – University of Wollongong
2021 Diploma of Sustainable Living – University of Tasmania
2016 Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours Class 1) University of Sydney – Sydney College of the Arts
2009 Bachelor of Social Science (Emergency Management) – Charles Sturt University
FELLOWSHIPS & RESIDENCIES
2027 Visting Fellow – State Library of NSW
2027 Bundanon Ecological Researcher in Residence- Wollongong Weedos: Bundanon Shoalhaven, NSW
2026 The Green Room- Ecology Exchange: Creative Studios, Wollongong City Council
2025 WAG-WAH, Illawarra Ecological Artists: Wollongong Art Gallery
2022 ARTWARD Artist in Residence: Wollongong City Council
AWARDS & PRIZES
2022-2025 Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship (AGRTP)
2016 University of Sydney Honours Scholarship
2015 Winner University of Sydney – Sydney College of the Arts Dean’s award for sculpture
2015 Winner Verge Gallery Awards – works on paper
2015 Highly Commended Rookwood Sculpture Prize
2014 University of Sydney Academic Merit Prize
2014 University of Sydney Dean’s list of Excellence in Academic Performance
2014 Winner – Interfaith Exhibition Verge Gallery
2013 University of Sydney Academic Merit Prize
2013 University of Sydney Dean’s list of Excellence in Academic Performance
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2026 PhD research exhibtion, Clifton School of the Arts, Clifton, NSW
2023 Finalist, Wollongong Sculpture in the Garden Prize, Wollongong Botanic Gardens
2022 Finalist, Reimagined Sculpture Prize, Hornsby Council, Hornsby, NSW
2019 Luminous Landscapes, Wollongong Botanic Gardens & Wollongong Council
2019 Reimagined Sculpture Prize, Shoalhaven Council, Nowra
2018 Group show The Committee, Airspace Projects, Marrickville
2017 Finalist Clyde & Co Art Award, Sydney
2015 Group show Bespoke City, UNSW Art & Design, Kensington
2015 Finalist Hidden Sculpture Prize, Rookwood Cemetery, Lidcombe
2015 Group show Language Disorder, Interlude Gallery, Glebe
2015 Finalist Sustainable Waste to Art Prize, City of Ryde, North Ryde
2015 Group show Taking Up Space, Articulate Project Space, Leichhardt
2015 Finalist Sustainable Waste to Art Prize, City of Ryde, North Ryde
2014 Winner, Interfaith Exhibition, Verge Gallery, Sydney
2013 Winner, Verge Gallery Awards, Glebe
2013 Solo show, Deadspace Sydney College of the Arts, Rozelle
