Media Release

INTERNATIONAL QUILT ARTIST

First Brisbane Exhibition

“Quilting is a way to link colour and geometry in the most amazing manner” Jann Olsson said today.

“And the explosion of colour is what appeals to me”.

Jann was speaking at the launch of her first exhibition which is being held at the Everingham Gallery in New Farm. The exhibition features a wide variety of her handmade quilts.

“These are like works of art” she said. “They appeal to people with an eye for colour and detail and, because of this, I do a lot of commissioned work – in different colours, fabric and styles”

“The best thing about quilting is that it is a very versatile medium and people can use them or display them on their walls.”

“I sell a lot overseas” she continued. “Hong Kong is a big market although I have sold quilts throughout Asia. I recently did a great one for a family in India to commemorate their son’s wedding. I think that a lot of these countries love the workmanship and the status that comes with having a handmade item. Many of them have been commissioned as presents as these items can be personalised.”

Jann first started sewing at the McCabe Academy of Dressmaking although she honed her skills in Toronto when she studied couturier dressmaking. Travels throughout Asia and Thailand encouraged a love of fine work and embroidery and one of her first business ventures was Granny’s heritage – an import export business.

Jann also has a strong theatrical background and was the State Manager of the Elizabethan Theatre Trust and Entertainer as well as performing publicly as singer and dancer from the age of seven.

She was the owner of Posh Nosh catering and Jann's Place restaurant as well as being a fixture in the Brisbane social pages until she decided to concentrate more fully on her handicrafts.

“This has become a passion for me” she said. “There simply aren’t enough hours in the day to sew as much as I want”.

Jann’s work can be seen at the Everingham Gallery until the end of February 2006.

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