Janine Mackintosh

Janine Mackintosh b. 1971 creates unique contemplative assemblages using found natural materials, mainly collected from her heritage bush property on the wild south coast of Kangaroo Island.

These assemblages were created as epitaphs, they pay homage to trees and other plants which are now Dead to the World. They’re accompanied by photographs, which show where I sourced the botanical materials, all within walking distance of my home. I wanted to show what is being lost but also show why, because the obliviousness of most of our urbanised society makes the likelihood of investment in change more remote.

Kangaroo Island is renowned for its wild natural landscapes, but the threats to its unique native vegetation are numerous and mirrored across much of the continent. Most of the island’s virgin bush was cleared relatively recently, under the post-WWII Soldier Settlement Scheme, using large chains or logs dragged between two tractors, and burning, to make way for livestock. Excessive water now flows off the cleared farmland, leaving large swathes of the lower-lying catchments inundated; the rising groundwater brings deadly salt, killing the remnant vegetation and turning freshwater lagoons saline. Paddock trees suffer from soil compaction, wind exposure and off-target herbicides, along with clearance pressure as grain producers increase their scale of production, requiring ever-larger machinery; and legislation has been relaxed so that vegetation can be cleared on each side of boundary fences with no required offset. Roadside trees grow taller when the adjoining land is fertilised but being in such a narrow strip means they are vulnerable to strong winds. The living verges of unsealed roads, which often contain rare and endangered species, are crudely graded, facilitating their replacement by exotic weeds and the spread of the plant disease Phytophthora; very few of our breathtaking arboured roads remain as trees are butchered by hydro-axes, to aid the speedy passage of livestock trucks and tourist coaches.

“Farmers, miners, governments, nations – they have all taken from the land what they assume is there for humanity to claim. The land needs reclaiming again, if not from the people with title to it, then from the habits which have governed it for so long… the unwavering belief, the grit and superhuman effort that went into settlement. If that is what it took to wreck the bush, it will likely take as much to remake it, make it sustainable, reclaim it. All that, plus better science, deeper wisdom, more investment and government support in at least the same degree afforded the selectors and soldier settlers.” Don Watson, The Bush

Education & Affiliations

Bachelor of Design, Visual Communication, University of South Australia, 1989–1992
Guildhouse Accredited Member

Authentic Kangaroo Island – Ambassador  & Member

Statements

“Suspended disbelief draws the viewer instantaneously... Her work cannot be easily passed over; it draws one into it, demanding concentration on a number of levels, one of which is often missing in contemporary art today - that of contemplative engagement by the viewer… The collecting, the placement, the working out, the patience, the obsession, the understanding and final realisation of perfected beauty are all part of an intimidating process.”

Jan Jones, Australian Art Review

“There has been a notion that contemporary art can’t be beautiful, but this is very beautifully executed.”
Nick Mitzevich, Director, Art Gallery of South Australia (37th Alice Prize Judge)

Awards

2016
Heysen Prize for Landscape, Hahndorf Academy - People’s Choice Award
Kangaroo Island Easter Art Exhibition – Peter Walker Award, Second Prize

2014
Peter Walker Award, Kangaroo Island Easter Art Exhibition – Winner
South Australian Regional Awards – Finalist, Arts, Hills & Coasts
Emma Hack Art Prize, Adelaide Convention Centre - Finalist

2013
Fleurieu Water & Environment Prize, Goolwa – Finalist

2012
People's Choice Award, Heysen Prize, Hahndorf Academy, Adelaide
Tammy Kingsley Memorial People's Choice Award, 37th Alice Prize, Alice Springs

2011
Outback Art Prize, Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery - Winner (Acquisitive)
Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize, South Australian Museum, Adelaide - People's Choice Award
Craftsouth Wish List Exhibition, Adelaide - Finalist
59th Blake Prize, National Art School Gallery, Sydney - People’s Choice Award
Whyalla Art Prize - Finalist

2010
Outback Art Prize, Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery - Third Prize
The Advertiser Business SA Contemporary Art Prize, Keith Murdoch House, Adelaide - Finalist

2009
Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize, South Australian Museum & National Archives, Canberra - People’s Choice Award & First Prize Works on Paper

2008
Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize, South Australian Museum & National Archives, Canberra - People’s Choice Award & Second Prize Works on Paper

Solo Exhibitions
2014
'Coevolved', Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide

2011
'As Far as the Eye Can Reach' Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide

Group Exhibitons

2017
'Dead to the World', Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide
Island to Inland, Flinders University Art Museum

2016
The Heysen Prize for Landscape, Hahndorf Academy
Kangaroo Island Easter Art Exhibition

2015
Flora, Mrs Valentine’s Cottage, Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island Easter Art Exhibition

2015
'Still Life - SALA', Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide
2014
Kangaroo Island Easter Art Exhibition
Emma Hack Art Prize, Adelaide Convention Centre
Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island

2013
Sculpture for Sight, St Marks College, North Adelaide
How Do We Love Thee? The National Wine Centre, Adelaide
Fine Art Kangaroo Island, Kingscote
Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island Easter Art Exhibition
Flora, Mrs Valentine’s Cottage, Kangaroo Island

2012
How Do We Love Thee? The National Wine Centre, Adelaide
Fine Art Kangaroo Island, Kingscote
Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island Easter Art Exhibition
Flora, Mrs Valentine’s Cottage, Kangaroo Island

2011
Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide
Art Melbourne, Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton, Victoria
How Do We Love Thee? The National Wine Centre, Adelaide
Fine Art Kangaroo Island, Kingscote
Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island Artists Collective Gallery
Penneshaw Easter Art Exhibitions

2010
Collaboration, Fisher Jeffries, Adelaide
How Do We Love Thee? The National Wine Centre, Adelaide
Fine Art Kangaroo Island, Kingscote
Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island Artists Collective Gallery
Penneshaw Easter Art Exhibitions
Kangaroo Island Art Feast Exhibitions

2009
Fine Art Kangaroo Island, Kingscote
Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island Artists Collective Gallery
Penneshaw Easter Art Exhibitions
Kangaroo Island Art Feast Exhibitions

2008
Fine Art Kangaroo Island, Kingscote
Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island Artists Collective Gallery
Penneshaw Easter Art Exhibitions
Kangaroo Island Art Feast Exhibitions

2007
Kangaroo Island Artists Collective Gallery
Penneshaw Easter Art Exhibitions
Kangaroo Island Art Feast Exhibitions

2006
In Between, Wish on Gouger, Adelaide
Kangaroo Island Artists Collective Gallery
Penneshaw Easter Art Exhibitions
Kangaroo Island Art Feast Exhibitions

2005
River: 1830–2005, Banrock Station Cellar Door
Kangaroo Island Artists Collective Gallery
Penneshaw Easter Art Exhibitions
Kangaroo Island Art Feast Exhibitions

Collections
Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery
The Australian War Memorial, Canberra
Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island
Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd, Adelaide
Aurora Ozone Hotel, Kangaroo Island
Private collections around Australia, the United Kingdom, USA, Netherlands, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Thailand, Liechtenstein and Canada.