Embroidery Artist

Jodie Handley

I am an Australian embroidery artist who initially discovered my interest in textile art when studying visual arts at USQ in Toowoomba in the early 2000s. After putting away the needle and thread for some time, in 2021 I attempted thread painting and realised I had found my medium. My work is hand embroidered and I often focus on the impact of living with chronic illnesses and environmental issues - both of which have an emphasis on the themes of loss, resilience and adaptability.The daughter of national park rangers, I grew up helping to care for orphaned native animals and was taught a deep respect and appreciation for the natural world, especially Australia’s unique flora and fauna. This comes through in my environmental pieces, which focus on how our animals continue to adapt and overcome in the face of constant adversary.I have suffered with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and endometriosis for more than a decade, picking up multiple other conditions along the way. I consider embroidery to be an excellent medium for creating art about chronic illness as so much patience is required in the embroidery process, and similarly so much patience is required when living with any sort of chronic condition.I believe embroidery deserves a place in the fine art world, and am passionate about elevating it from the realm of ‘craft’.Achievements2025
Spinifex Spectre
Finalist - Fairholme Open Art Prize – FACETS2024
The Four Swords of Rest And Recovery
Women's United Art Prize Longlist (Collage & Fibre Art)2023
The Four Swords of Rest And Recovery
Highly Commended - Queensland Regional Art Awards (Textiles)Past Exhibits
2025
Spinifex Spectre
Finalist - Fairholme Open Art Prize – FACETS, ToowoombaSpinifex Spectre / The Larrikin / The Night Glider - The Toowoomba Grammar Art Show, Toowoomba2024
Nostalgia Nibbles - “Carnival Queens” Exhibit, The Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, ToowoombaI'm Fine, It's Just A Sitting Down In The Shower Day / Edward Teach, Born on a Beach - The Toowoomba Grammar Art Show, ToowoombaThe Four Swords of Rest And Recovery - "Perspective", Queensland Regional Art Awards Finalists Touring Exhibit, QueenslandI'm Fine, It's Just A Sitting Down In The Shower Day / Inquisitive Floof / Heartwork Pendant - "Til Death We Do Art" Exhibit, The Swamp Collective, Toowoomba2023
The Four Swords of Rest And Recovery - Queensland Regional Art Awards Finalists Exhibit, Judith Wright Centre, BrisbaneThe Four Swords of Rest And Recovery - "Luck of the Draw" Tarot Card Exhibit, The Swamp Collective, ToowoombaI'm Fine, It's Just A Sitting Down In The Shower Day / Edward Teach, Born on a Beach - "Off the Cuff" Textiles & Wearables Exhibit, The Swamp Collective, ToowoombaInquisitive Floof - July/August 2023 “Little Feature” Wall, Aspire Gallery, BrisbaneEdward Teach, Born on a Beach / Forsworn - International Women's Day - Australian Cultural Library, Rosewood2022
Inquisitive Floof - Small Works Art Prize - Brunswick Street Gallery, Melbourne