Jane is a multi-disciplinary visual artist, biodiversity farmer and active community member living on Gringai country in Dungog in regional NSW. Since the 1980s she has been working across textiles, sculpture, video, performance, wearable art, photography, print making and creating events that merge science and art. Being a biodiversity farmer is another passion and weaves through her work. Along with her partner Brian Doherty, they are custodians of an Endangered Ecological Community Tabbil Forest (680acre property with a large dry rainforest) and is using art and science to explore human relationships to such environments. 

Being an active community member is also important to her expanded arts practice. This has spanned across the arts (including artist run spaces in the 1980s), education, sustainability and the environment. In 2016 Jane and Brian instigated the Paterson Allyn Williams Science & Ideas Hub and are part of the team organising science, art and ideas-based community engagement activities.

Jane has been practicing as a visual artist and exhibiting since 1984 in both solo and group exhibitions in artist-run-spaces and contemporary art galleries in Brisbane, Sydney and regional towns of Dungog. She was very active in the artist run space scene and arts advocacy in Brisbane in the 1980s – exhibiting and co-organising galleries & events. This activity was represented in a major exhibition at the University of Qld Art Museum 2016 ‘ephemeral traces: Brisbane’s artist-run scene in the 1980s’. Some of the galleries she has exhibited in: ARIs such as That Contemporary Art Space, Brisbane 1986-7; First Draft West, Sydney 1990-96; Gresford exhibition spaces, 2006-10; Dungog by Design, Dungog 2015-17; Gallery 139, Newcastle 2017; Back to Back Gallery, Newcastle 2017. Commercial gallery – Milburn + Arte, Brisbane 1989-90. Contemporary art spaces – Ivan Dougherty Gallery, Sydney 1990; Artspace at Pier4/5 Wharf, Sydney 1991; Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane 1992; University of Qld Art Museum, Brisbane 2016; ‘Liveworks’, Performance Space, Carriageworks, Sydney/online 2021, Casula Powerhouse, Sydney 2023. Artist residency – The Gunyah, North Arm Cove, 2018.

In 2022 Jane was a commissioned artist for ‘Regional Futures’ a NSW state-wide program of creative development and conversations that places artists at the centre of a dialogue exploring a future vision for the place where they live and create. The works from this project were exhibited in 2023 in ‘Artists in Volatile Landscapes’ at the Casula Powerhouse. (https://regionalfutures.net.au/artists/janerichens/) She also created a few works for ‘Liveworks’ 2021 & 2022 ‘Hundreds & Thousands’, Performance Space, Carriageworks. (https://performancespace.com.au/program/hundreds-plus-thousands/)

In her working life Jane has been involved in design, arts advocacy, arts administration, adult education and event organisation. For over 30 year she has had a graphic design business, with partner Brian Doherty, with many arts and local community clients. For over 18 years they have put out the monthly community magazine ‘The Gresford News’. For 7 years she taught graphic design at universities in Sydney and Singapore (Uni of Western Sydney; College of Fine Arts, UNSW; Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore). In 1999 Jane and Brian purchased a rainforested property in the foothills of the Barrington Tops Wilderness area where they are conserving the forest’s biodiversity. For 7 years she co-ran Dungog Community College organising accredited and lifestyle courses and events. In 2016 Jane and Brian instigated the Paterson Allyn Williams Science & Ideas Hub and are part of the team organising science and art-based community engagement programs.

Jane has worked at or been an active part of the following arts organisations: Friends of the James Theatre, Dungog (projectionist, committee); Dungog Artisans/Dungog By Design (exhibitor, committee); Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney (arts admin); Powerhouse Museum, Sydney (Print Media); National Association for the Visual Arts, Sydney (Artist Coordinator); Museum of Sydney (arts admin); Artworkers Union NSW (committee); Sensible Art Services, Sydney (arts admin & design); Eyeline magazine, Brisbane (arts admin, magazine production); Artworkers Union of NSW, Sydney (committee); Qld Artworkers Alliance, Brisbane (chair & committee); Bureau Art Space, Brisbane (gallery member); That Contemporary Art Space, Brisbane (studio & gallery member); Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane (arts admin); Centre Cinema, Brisbane (team member).

Jane has also been part of Dungog’s sustainability and environmental activities including working with Dungog local Michelle Dado-Millynn on sustainability projects including a film recently on SBS (The Power of Activism) and partnering our science hub with Boomerang Bags; member of Single Use Plastic Free Dungog & Blue Planet Status; member of Live Lightly Dungog; contributor to the Local Growers Market; Gresford Landcare Group; Hunter Farm Forestry Network.

Selected Arts Practice CV

Individual exhibitions
2008 NOTES FROM A PLACE, Catbird Gallery, Dungog
1990-92 PORTRAIT OF, Below Zero, Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane • PORTRAIT OF: UNTITLED, First Draft West, Sydney 1989 SIN (Nude with Red Hair), Milburn + Arte, Brisbane & Bureau, Brisbane 1988 11 BILLBOARDS, Interface, Qld Bicentennial Art Spaces Project, Brisbane 1987 7 IS IN HEAVEN, THAT Contemporary Art Space, Brisbane Group exhibitions / art activities 2024 DEAR FOREST, Belco Arts Belconnen Arts Centre, Canberra • REGIONAL FUTURES: AN ENTANGLED EXISTENCE, BAS Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre, Moruya 2023-24 WORK OF ART: development program & showcase for regional NSW women in creative business, Regional Arts NSW 2023 ARTISTS IN VOLATILE LANDSCAPES, Regional Futures project, Casula Powerhouse, Sydney, a NSW Regional Futures program 2022 HUNDREDS & THOUSANDS, Liveworks: The Performance Space, Carriageworks, Sydney & PICA, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art • OUR PLACE OUR SPECIES, Paterson Allyn Williams Science & Ideas Hub, Dungog • NATURE JOURNALLING, Hunter Wetlands Centre, Newcastle 2016-23 ARI REMIX, Contributing artist Brisbane’s artist-run scene, online 2021 HUNDREDS & THOUSANDS, Liveworks, The Performance Space, Sydney/online • MASKED BALL & SCIENCE+ART events, contributing presenter/artist online dance events, Paterson Allyn Williams Science & Ideas Hub 2018 SCULPTURE ON THE FARM, Dungog 2017 THERE BE UNICORNS OUT THERE, Dungog by Design, Dungog • TERRA OBSCURA, Back to Back Galleries, Newcastle 2016 EPHEMERAL TRACES: Brisbane’s artist-run scene in the 1980s, Uni Qld Art Museum, Brisbane • MADE IN CALLAN ST, Studio exhibition, Rozelle, Sydney 2009-10 Group exhibitions, Gresford Gallery, Gresford & SCULPTURE IN THE GARDEN, Mt Rivers 2006-8 CREATE, Create Arts Carnival, Gresford 1996 FIRST DRAFT 10th ANNIVERSARY SHOW, First Draft, Sydney 1991 FRAMES OF REFERENCE: Aspects of Feminism and Art, Dissonance, Artspace/Pier 4/5 Wharf, Sydney • INDUSTRY & BODY WITHOUT ORGANS, First Draft West, Sydney 1990 SCANNING THE CODE, Ivan Dougherty Gallery, Sydney • RSVWWZ, Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane • AUSGRAPH 90, Melbourne • 10 x 10 WORKS, Milburn + Arte, Brisbane • SIN at SITE, SITE, Sydney 1989 ATTITUDE, AFI Cinema, Sydney • RANDOM ACCESS, Museum of Contemporary Art, Brisbane 1988 BUREAU, Bureau, Brisbane • SITES OF DISCLOSURE, AXIS, Bne - New York • INTERFACE, Queensland Bicentennial Art Spaces Project, Brisbane • BELLE LETTRES, John Mills National, Brisbane 1987 IMAGINE THAT, Museum of Contemporary Art, Brisbane • AT THAT MOMENT, EARLIER ATTITUDES & JANE RICHENS/HENRY DAVIDIAN, THAT Contemporary Art Space, Brisbane 1986 OUTDOOR ART DRIVE-IN, Cnr Charlotte & Edwards Sts, Brisbane • JUMBO/SPAN, Span, Sydney & Jumbo, Brisbane Performances 2022 HUNDREDS & THOUSANDS, Liveworks: The Performance Space, Carriageworks, Sydney 2021 MASKED BALL, online zoom dance party (virus+pandemic theme); SCIENCE+ART, artist interviews, Paterson Allyn Williams Science Hub 2010s MASKED BALLS x 7, contributing performances, Dungog Community College events, Dungog 1987 WEAR BLACK, WEAR WHITE, with Eugene Carchesio, John Mills National, Brisbane • 3 PERFORMANCES, Da Da Doo, Eyeline Magazine Launch, School Arts Building, Brisbane 1986 WEEPING WOMAN BURNING, THAT Contemporary Art Space, Brisbane • MASKED CHESS SET, The Observatory Gallery, Brisbane • THE MASK OF PAINTING & PERSON, individual performance, Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane Collaborations / Special Projects / Artist Residency 2024 Participant in RARE – REGIONAL ARTISTS RESIDENCY EXCHANGE, Studio Co!Lab, Orana Arts, Regional NSW 2016-24 Paterson Allyn Williams Science & Ideas Hub, science/arts/ideas community engagement activities and events 2023 Studio Co!Lab grant, Orana Arts, Regional NSW 2018-9 Collaborated in activities with Centre for Deep Reading – organised art/environment performances/activities 2018 GUNYAH artist-in-residence program, North Arm Cove 2017 Participant in artist Barbara Campbell’s performance ‘Hide’, Siteworks, Bundanon Trust 2006 Hosted artist/writer’s camp at Tabbil Forest for the artist Barbara Campbell performance project, ‘1001 nights cast’ 2011-16 Hosted sound arts & photography visual arts workshops, Dungog Community College 1993-2017 Participated in and assisted artist Barbara Campbell in various arts activities: films for performances, postcard portrait project 1988 Volunteer, Conservation Department, Queensland Museum, Brisbane 1987 Participant in artist Jay Younger photographic series ‘Blue Kingdom’ Series I-IV’ & ’Homefires Burn in the Heartland’ 1986 Participant in artist Lyndall Milani’s performance ‘Performance in the Landscape 3: Shrine’, Summer Solstice, Beachmere, 1986 Snapshot of Education • Arts administration, graphic design & gallery experience • Community engagement, education & teaching 1991-94 Bachelor of Arts, Power Institute of Fine Arts, Uni of Sydney • 1985 1 Year of a Diploma of Visual Arts, Queensland College of Art 1986-24 Graphic design, arts admin & gallery experience: Graphic design/production: Tabbil Forest Design (Richens & Doherty) • Madhouse Design • Powerhouse Museum; Arts admin: Museum Of Sydney • Museum of Contemporary Art • Sensible Art Services; Studio assistant for Vivienne Binns & Lyndall Milani Studio; Artist co-ordinator: National Association for the Visual Arts; Gallery assistant/Front of House: The Performance Space • Institute of Modern Art; Magazine production: Eyeline Magazine • Art Almanac; Artist Run Initiatives co-coordinator/member: Bureau Art Space • That Contemporary Art Spacer; Committee member: Queensland Artworkers Alliance Inc • Artworkers Union (NSW) 1987-24 Community engagement, education & teaching experience: Event creator: Paterson Allyn Williams Science & Ideas Hub; Education Officer: Dungog Community College; Arts workshops: Woodford Folk Festival • Various – Brisbane, Sydney, Dungog; School enviro program guide: Wangat Lodge; Graphic Design Unit Co-ordinator & Lecturer: Nanyang Academy Of Fine Arts, Singapore • Uni of Western Sydney School of Communication, Design & Media • Uni of New South Wales School of Design Studies, College of Fine Arts