Jill Carter Hansen
Artists biography
Jill Carter-Hansen (aka Jill Stewart) is a local combined media artists who has published a number of books featuring her beautiful illustrations - three of which she has also authored. Jill has made animated short films (The Messenger, Eclipse and Songs of the Immigrant Bride) as well as worked as a photo journalist, fine arts teacher, gallery facilitator and is unofficially the poet in residence with the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse.
Jill relocated to Australia from New Zealand in the late 80's and is represented in both public and private collections in both countries. Jill has a Masters in Fine Arts (hons) and has been invited to present at the Royal College of Art in London, University of Sydney, Auckland Art Gallery, Art Gallery of NSW and the NSW State Library. She has exhibited in numerous solo and group shows and has a number of awards under her belt that span her creative mediums. Two of her poetic experimental animated films were supported by the Australian Film Commission, NSW Film Office and Canon Australia - these films have been screened in London, Germany, Italy and Belgium and have been awarded internationally.
Her multimedia worked is described as having a poetic relationship where images and words combine to provide the viewers with a fuller experience and more options for interpretation.
Current work and inspiration
Jill is currently working with Gosford Regional Gallery on a workshop titled 'Book Illustration: Developing a Character' trybooking.com/BCNZG which will be held on Saturday 14 March from 10am-4pm. Participants will learn how to create and alter an animal or human to express unique characteristics and movement from photographic reference. For more details please visit: Gosford Regional Gallery.
Animals feature predominately in Jill's work and can be enjoyed in her children's illustrated books such as The Elegant Elephant, Zoe's Zoo and The Lonely Gnu. Much of Jill's fine art work features a horse which she uses to symbolise life. She plays on the various roles the horse has played in myth and culture as well as her personal knowledge of growing up on a farm with horses.
Jill is an advocate for the justice and peace movement and the environment which is also indicative through her work. She has worked with activist groups to produce posters with environmental messages and also has some unpublished work that looks at climate change via a children's lens with animal characters.
Jill is influenced by dark and light which she plays on in printmaking. She enjoys providing open ended and ambiguous narratives that encourage the viewer or listener to interpret the work in their own way.
Website and social media links
facebook: Art / Visionary Images / Jill Carter-Hansen