Jane Downes - Ironweed

Jane Downes, Canterbury

Jane completed a Bachelor of Design majoring in Sculpture/3D Design at Christchurch Polytechnic 1999 – 2001.

In her early career she worked as a Cartographer and Draughtsperson for various organisations and freelance - Hand and Cad Draughting, Land Based GIS and Engineering. After her degree, she followed her passion into Architecture and Interior/Spatial Design alongside developing her Sculpture practice, living and working from a central city loft in Christchurch for several years. During this time, she worked mainly in fibre, plastic and wearable art.

Jane now works as a full time Sculptor/Designer from her home workshop in Little River on Banks Peninsula, Canterbury. Her husband Mario, with his knowledge of materials, engineering and installation skills plays a large part in her work. As well as frequent road trips for exhibiting and installing, they lifestyle also includes semi self-sufficiency and a small tribe of cats.