About
Studio
Outlook8studio is multidisciplinary art studio, built by artist Jenny Davis from discarded and recycled materials in 2000. The studio is based in Victoria, Australia, specialising in the creation of original, thought-provoking artworks, striving to recycle materials that minimize the impact on the environment and are less harmful to the earth.
Artists Bio – Early Years
When did you first get interested in art ?
I’m not quite sure but from my earliest memories, long before I could even talk or walk, I felt a magnetic pull towards to the floral rose pattern on the carpet in our lounge room. As a child, I found joy in collecting various treasures—bits and pieces from around the house and even the streets—carefully arranging them in quiet corners, both inside and out. My curiosity drove me to dismantle dolls, repurposing the pieces into something entirely new. I hoarded glittery cards, saving every scrap of paper I could find: from butcher paper to the delicate wrappings of mum’s nylon stockings. Each snippet was a canvas waiting to be transformed. My love for collecting and making new things remains an integral part of my life today.
My home environment significantly influenced the development of my creative spirit. Although we didn’t have much, my mum’s resourcefulness shone through as she made clothes, knitted, crocheted, and mended everything in our household. Her creativity left a profound mark on me, inspiring me to gather scraps from her sewing table and transform them into collages and unique wall hangings. I found particular joy in creating teapot cosies, oven mitts, and aprons—items that were part of our everyday life, used by my mum and older siblings. I fondly recall spending hours with my older brother, watching him draw and I helped him design and build intricate paper mache models of buildings and figures to populate his beloved train set. In many ways, my artistic endeavors became a meaningful connection to the practical creativity that flowed through my family and also, became a sort of celebration of resilience and beauty ; a place where I transformed pain into creativity, finding solace and strength away from the shadows of a very abusive and challenging father.
My first visit to the National Gallery of Victoria in the 1960s was a defining moment that left an indelible mark on my life. I vividly remember standing before a bold black canvas with a solitary white dot at its centre. My mum’s classic Aussie reaction, “Strewth, oh my hat!”, still echoes in my mind – a perfect encapsulation of the shock and wonder that I felt. At the time, I was too young to fully grasp the artistic vision behind the piece, but something about it resonated deeply with me. Little did I know that this was the start of a lifelong passion for abstract art. Fast forward to 1996, when my own artwork found a home at the National Gallery of Victoria, bringing full circle a journey that began with that chance encounter when I was young child.
Teen Years
At the age of 14, I walked out of high school due to bullying from some teachers and students. I never went back. My teenage years were tumultuous, but it was my passion for drawing, painting, and writing that helped me navigate the chaos. I never imagined I could become an artist, so I explored various other jobs along the way—making cakes in a factory, assembling car parts, sewing shoes and more. I was thrilled to receive a fashion traineeship at a prestigious high-fashion house on Little Flinders Lane in Melbourne. Unfortunately, due to some personal challenges at home with my father, I was unable to begin the program. I realize now, each experience contributed to my life journey and shaped the artist I am today.
Later Years
In the vibrant 1980s, fueled by a desire for independence, I ventured into the heart of central Victoria with my then, partner and child and established my creative business from home: This venture blossomed as I crafted unique handmade gift baskets brimming with my own creations, including artisan jewelry made from clay, beautifully decorated frames and albums, hand-sculpted chocolates, and natural skin and hair care products. Back then, without the conveniences of the internet or social media, I relied on word of mouth and local consignment shops to share my creations. As “Jenny’s Porch” grew, it evolved into an art and craft supply shop on my back porch, where I not only sold my products but also inspired others through creative classes, fostering a community of fellow artisans in the process.
In my early 30s, after separating from my partner, and with three children to care for, I found myself ready to dive deeper into the world of art. I had a passion to teach creativity to all my children. I made them, clothes, toys, dolls, decorated their rooms with op shop finds. I believed in the power of creativity, telling my children that “all is possible” if you use your hands and mind together. I encouraged them to think outside the box, take risks, and embrace the art of problem-solving.
At this time, I embarked on a transformative inner journey to embrace positive change in my life and also delved into the world of art, balancing small jobs to support my family while seizing every opportunity and course to develop my creative skills. Once my children were settled in primary school, I enrolled at Swinburne University, where I immersed myself in a diverse curriculum encompassing painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, textiles, ceramics, as well as art history and cultural context. After three years of dedicated study, I earned my Advanced Diploma in Visual Arts and ventured into the exhibition scene. I was then offered a place at VCA in Melbourne to study painting and sculpture.
My first exhibition outside of college took place at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne 1996, where 3 of my artworks and a piece of poetry was featured in the “Recovery” group exhibition, held alongside a Brett Whiteley show in the next room. Since then, I have participated in over 18 solo exhibitions and more than 50 group shows both nationally and internationally. A pivotal moment came in 2005 when I was awarded an arts residency in Barcelona Spain. During the arts residency in Barcelona, I collaborated with artists from various backgrounds and cultures, including Max Ernst’s granddaughter. This enriching experience not only turned into a friendship but also led to a joint exhibition in New York. With my children now grown, I relished the opportunity to travel to the UK and across Europe, diving deep into research and creative exploration that has continuously inspired my artistic practice.
In 2000, I designed and built my own art studio in the Yarra Valley, where I still run my arts practice today.
Today
My work is proudly held in permanent collections at the Rydges Hotel Group in Melbourne, Australia, and the Can Serrat International Art Center in Barcelona, Spain. Additionally, I am honored to be part of the Landfill Art Collection, a travelling exhibition that focuses on environmental issues, showcased at venues like the Museum of Shenandoah Valley and the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, in the USA. I have also contributed to a community public artwork, Creative Fence Sculpture at the Redgum Arts Center in Lilydale, Australia. My art has been displayed in various private collections across Australia, the UK, the USA, Canada, and Europe. With exhibitions in locations including Berlin, Paris, New York, and beyond, my digital works were projected onto facades of buildings in Times Square and featured in the 2017 Venice Biennale 57 in Italy.
My Work
Embarking on a journey of self-discovery and historical exploration, my art practice is a multidisciplinary reflection on the depth and complexity of the human experience. My work continues to develop in abstract painting, sculpture, printmaking, collage, textiles, mixed media, photography, and installation. I continue to experiment with innovative processes and techniques, seeking to unravel the complexities of identity, in life and the the landscape. The fragility that shapes our lives is deeply connected to the landscape and to history, often my work reflects themes of urban decay, nature, and history. Embarking on a journey of self-discovery and historical exploration, my art practice is a multidisciplinary reflection on the depth and complexity of the human experience. the fragility of nature and life, as well as the transformative power of decay, loss, and renewal.
Rooted in a deep passion for history, my studio and house has become a repository of collected objects from op shops and many passed down through generations of family members. From my mothers and great-grandmother’s embroidery to my stepfather’s European war memorabilia, I have inherited a wealth of artifacts that hold secrets and whispers of the past. In an attempt to give voice to these silenced narratives, I have begun to transform these collected items into contemporary artworks and installations that stitch together personal histories with the collective memories of those who came before us and to new ideas in the present.
I frequently incorporate found objects and vintage textiles, layering them with materials like rust, ink, and stitching, creating intricate narratives in my pieces
My recent explorations with 200-year-old textiles have revealed a deep connection to the women who stitched them, their hands and the stories woven into the fabric. Through their labor of love, I feel a tangible link to the past, a sense of continuity that underscores the resilience of women across generations.
My art-making process is a journey of discovery and exploration, fuelled by a curiosity.