Imogen Jade & Jenny Kee AO join forces for a bespoke scarf collection
Published on 23 April 2024
Campbelltown Arts Centre is excited to present emerging artist, Imogen Jade and fashion icon, Jenny Kee AO’s collaboration, ‘My brilliant sophisticated spontaneous scarf adventure and journey’, presented as part of ‘From Here & Beyond’, which is a suite of five exhibitions celebrating the best in artistic talent from the local region and beyond.
Jade and Kee have designed and developed a silk scarf celebrating their bold artistic styles and combined love of flora and fauna.
Facilitated by Little Orange Studio, the project speaks to Imogen’s passion for her work and ideas to be seen and embraced: “Seeing people wear the scarf will be amazing, exciting, awesome & fan-tab-oulis.” Jenny says: "I love creating with Imogen. She is spontaneous and free. She is JOY!"
The exhibition also features Imogen’s design journey with Jenny Kee, including a short film created by local filmmakers, Samia Halabi and Ludwig El Haddad, and interactive space inspired by the project’s focus on uplifting and affirmative words.
The scarves are available to preorder at the Artist Exchange, Campbelltown Arts Centre’s exclusive store.
“Campbelltown Arts Centre is delighted to present this exceptional collaboration between two creative powerhouses: the esteemed Australian fashion icon, Jenny Kee AO and the exceptionally talented Imogen Jade, from our very own Little Orange Studio. Their fruitful partnership embodies the possibilities of artistic collaboration and inclusivity, perfectly aligning with Campbelltown Arts Centre’s core mission. We are delighted for this collaboration to coincide with the official opening of Campbelltown Art Centre’s online store.” - Mouna Zaylah, Acting Director, Campbelltown Arts Centre.
Imogen Jade
Imogen Jade is an emerging artist living with down syndrome, working across painting, mixed media, and installation. Since 2015, she has carved out her artistic practice by attending Little Orange Studio, a Campbelltown Arts Centre (C-A-C) working studio for artists who identify as a person living with disability.
Imogen has expressed that having an artistic practice allows her to feel safe, express her opinion, and build community. Her paintings are populated with cocktails, butterflies and flowers. Imogen has been previously commissioned by Campbelltown City Council to collaborate on public art amenity screens for Eagle Farm Park with Jessica Pound. In ‘Little Orange Goes Big’ (2022, C-A-C), Imogen created a family drop-in space for visitors to make their own custom picnic blanket and 3-dimensional paper kettle.
In 2018, she partnered with Shopfront Theatre to transform the cafe at Lurnea High School with a large mural and helped C-A-C celebrate their 30th Anniversary with ‘Creamy Bar’, a cocktail bar filled with custom recipes. ‘Creamy Bar’ also featured at Sydney Contemporary (2019) and the opening night of Justene Williams’ ‘She Conjured the Clouds’ (2020). In 2019, Imogen spoke at ‘Love & Happiness’ presenting her work and love of gardens (Kaldor Public Art Projects, Art Gallery NSW).
Jenny Kee AO
Internationally acclaimed artist and designer, Jenny Kee’s clothing, designs, paintings and style are a reflection of her passion for the colours and unique Australian environment.
Jenny was born in Bondi, Sydney in 1947 and learnt the art of style and fashion working at the Chelsea Antique Market London from 1967-1972.
She returned to Sydney in 1973, to open her frock salon, ‘Flamingo Park ‘and pioneered an Australian style in fashion, with her iconic original knits. During the 70’s & 80’s her dynamic designs were acclaimed by the Australian press and international fashionistas. She has been honoured by museum exhibitions and a Parliament House commission. An ardent conservation campaigner and creator of spectacular costumes for the Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony.
In 2019, the Powerhouse Museum held a major retrospective of her work with Linda Jackson, called 'STEP INTO PARADISE'. This was followed by the documentary 'STEP INTO PARADISE', screened on the ABC in 2021.
Jenny Kee is a NATIONAL TREASURE.
Little Orange
Little Orange is a Campbelltown Arts Centre working studio for artists who identify as a person living with disability, d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing and/or Disabled Creatives. Since 2014 the studio has fostered artistic practice through the provision of materials, mentorships, business training and access to industry professionals. Working across a broad range of mediums including drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, performance and new media, the studio provides the artists with a platform to develop and launch their careers.
Exhibition Dates
- Exhibition Dates: 13 April – 22 June 2024
- Opening Event: Saturday 13 April, 2pm – 4pm
- Artist Talk: Saturday 13 April, 1:50pm
Available for interview
- David Capra, Little Orange Studio Coordinator, Campbelltown Arts Centre. Available Wednesday-Friday
- Isabelle Morgan, Curator and Anne-Marie Brockenhuus-Schack, Assistant Curator – Contemporary Visual Art, Campbelltown Arts Centre
- Imogen Jade and Jenny Kee AO on request