Jayne Pickering

ANONYMOUS XX

29 Oct - 9 Nov 2025

Opening Night

Friday 31 October | 6 - 8 pm

G4

Artist Statement

"It actually doesn't take much to be considered a difficult woman. That's why there are so many of us." - Jane Goodall.

The Opera Paintings were conceived in 2019, when the Australian government announced that the Federal Department of Communications & the Arts was to be absorbed into the “Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development & Communications.” These two works showcase three of the artist’s female friends and colleagues in the opera industry; sopranos and mezzo-sopranos, mature working mother-artists who despite their unwavering commitment, investment and energy, continue to be underpaid, underrepresented and marginalised in the pursuit of the art to which they have dedicated their lives.

-In memory of Jacqueline Dark, 1967-2023, peerless performer and beloved friend

The Anonymous Swimmer series of paintings are from the photographs of Jason Reekie and were inspired by the swimmer herself: a fellow soprano, artist, writer and friend, Judith Dodsworth, who in 2024 launched “The Unknown Swimmer”, a multi-media work comprising an original song cycle by Kevin March, performed by Judith and derived from her poems, alongside photographs and video footage taken by Reekie of their winter bay swims in Edithvale. The cycle chronicles Judith’s journey of self-excavation and introspection whilst dealing with.

The cycle chronicles Judith’s journey of self-excavation and introspection whilst dealing with a period of serious mental health challenges in 2020. During her recovery, she found that the weight of personal and implied societal expectation, isolation and responsibility became lighter to bear in the buoyancy of salt-water, and in the necessary immediate return to her own corporeal existence, when faced with the shock of its freezing depth and vastness.

Artist Biography

Despite a life-long passion for fine art and a love affair with drawing since she could hold a pencil, Jayne only began studying painƟng in earnest aŌer her return from Europe in 2016, under the tutelage of Royal Academy alumnus Hilmi Başkurt (Seven Easels Art Studio, Brunswick). She has since shown her work in three dual exhibiƟons in recent years, most recently with Kerrie Bolton at Red Gallery in November 2024, and several group exhibiƟons. This is her first solo exhibiƟon. Jayne Pickering is a working architect, singer and painter based in Melbourne.

Contact
Phone : (03) 9482 3550
mail@redgallery.com.au

Address
157 St Georges Rd
Fitzroy North, Victoria, 3068
Map

How to get here
Tram: Route 11
Stop 21 just north of Edinburgh Gardens

Melway Ref: 30B12
Parking in nearby streets

Bus: 504 (Reid Street)