Jess Hall

Jess Hall is a Naarm/Melbourne based, multi-disciplinary artist working with painting, drawing, embroidery and soft sculpture.  Trained as a painter, printmaker and textile designer, the work responds to the intersection of these disciplines, often using a descriptive drawing approach and embroidery techniques to express tactility and a love of pattern.  Jess completed first class Honours at Queensland College of Art (2005), a Master of Fine Art at VCAM (2010) and the Bachelor of Textiles (Design) (2021) at RMIT.  Jess’ work has been purchased for private and public collections and has featured in numerous art prizes, group and solo exhibitions locally and internationally. 

Working across painting, drawing, textiles and soft sculpture, Jess Hall’s work responds to the interplay between science and art by presenting surreal, fantastical specimens that suggest an unknown, future environment.  Imagined life forms are created from the influence of Australian and European flora, producing hybrid, biomorphic shapes.  The work suggests future environments by exploring hybridity, alluding to human relationships with nature.  

Working with dye, crochet and embroidery, Jess’ drawings and textiles use hybrid forms to articulate an imaginary science.  Embroidery is used as a drawing technique and colour relationships are tonal with the use of painterly techniques, under scored by a descriptive drawing practice.  By embracing materials, techniques and imagery traditionally considered the domain of craft or ‘feminine’ practices; embroidery, watercolour and the floral pattern tradition in textiles are given their own space for consideration. 

Exploring the space between art and craft, and the use of intensive hand-made processes, the work contemplates contemporary craft, design and fashion and is influenced by aspects of printmaking, drawing, painting and textiles, reflecting the artists’ training in these areas.