I create pieces that explore our lack of control in the world around us. My pieces tend towards the deeply introspective, and invite the viewer to look closer, to feel something more than the aesthetics.

We are all held mercilessly by the hands of time. Our bodies dissolve or perhaps evolve depending on your point of view. Our souls float to the fourth dimension. A human Mobius strip with no end and no beginning shows our unravelling, our ageing. Metallic to show our impervious nature as we fight back, doing all we can to delay the inevitable.

Falling into a career as a fine artist when a back fracture necessitated an end to full-time art direction, Neroli Henderson began her career completing a BA in graphic design at LaTrobe University (Bendigo) before gaining the position of Art Director for Shell Co. Australia by age 24.

At 25 a crushed upper back vertebrae, caused by a fall down stairs, completely changed her life. Although unable to be upright for more than a few minutes, Neroli purchased an easel, canvas and oil paints and began to work with palette knives and paint straight from the tube in the moments she was able to stand. The work sold and this spurred her to continue drawing and painting. Progress over the next 7 years was very slow but as her ability to sit and stand increased Neroli started to experiment with different media, including the guache and watercolours she had loved as a hobby before the accident.

An introduction to free motion sewing where you can essentially ‘draw with the sewing machine’ came one year when her Mother talked her into classes at the Australasian Quilting Convention. After realising the textures, sheen and tactile nature you can get using textiles and mixed mediums in your artworks, Neroli found it hard to go back to conventional media and a new niche for her was formed.

Neroli has since gone on to exhibit and sell internationally and has won many awards. Her work is in both private and commercial collections and has been featured in many magazines, books and juried exhibitions worldwide — as well as much shared on blogs and social media.

Authoring over 30 published magazines articles Neroli was a;so the Editor of fine art textile magazine Textile Fibre Forum from Dec 2014 to December 2016. She also runs the Facebook Textile Arts group with over 18,000 members worldwide.

RECENT EXHIBITIONS

2017 - Stitch Fetish V, The Hive Gallery, LA, USA

2016-2017 - A Matter of Time, Australia, NZ and UK (March 2016–October 2017)

2016 - World Quilt Competition, USA, 2016 & 2015 (Honorary Mention, 2016)

2016 - International Quilt Festival Houston, USA (Finalist)

2016 - Australasian Quilting Convention, Australia, (Finalist)

2015 - One Step Further, Mildura Art Gallery, Australia, (Judges Choice and Viewers Choice)