Jeannette M Rein

Sep 3

Biography

Jeannette Rein is a Western Australian artist whose practice spans sculpture, contemporary jewellery, and public art, with a career defined by innovation in wood, metal, and mixed media. She holds a Master of Fine Art (Research) from Federation University and earlier qualifications in visual arts and education from Curtin University and SCV Rusden.

Her work has been exhibited internationally, including in the United States, Canada, Germany and Taiwan, with notable group exhibitions such as Nature’s Canvas (2026 -29, USA tour), Beginnings and Open/Closed (AAW International Symposium, 2025) and the landmark allTURNatives residency exhibition at the Center for Art in Wood, Philadelphia, which has consolidated her reputation as a practitioner of note within contemporary craft and sculpture.

Solo exhibitions include Liminal: Transitional Wood (2016, Perth) Illuminated Trajectory (2015, New Zealand) and Quintessence (2008, Darwin). Rein’s artworks are held in significant public and private collections worldwide, including the Art Gallery of Western Australia, The Center for Art in Wood (USA), Mialoli Wood Sculpture Museum (Taiwan), and Artbank, Sydney.

She has completed major commissions for schools, churches, and civic spaces across Western Australia. Recognized with numerous awards- “Transformations”:Forestry SA Wood Sculpture Competition,Mid-Career Fellowship Grant – Department of Culture and the Arts, WA, Circle Foundation of Art- Signature artist, Honorable Mention.

Recently awarded The Premier Art Prize by Contemporary Art Station. Rein continues to contribute to the field through exhibitions, residencies, and publications that celebrate her distinctive artistic vision.

Artist Statement

An innovative West Australian designer and artist with a multifarious practice expressing a diverse range of scale and purpose. Jeannette's work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, with commissions in the private and public sector. Her work has been recognized internationally through various awards and by representation in public and private collections throughout Australia and overseas. Jeannette has achieved a research Masters degree in fine art and her work has been represented in numerous magazines and publications.

Evolving from a strong connection to the natural world, Jeannette’s elegant energetic work stands alone. This is evident in her wooden forms crafted from indigenous timbers. Each piece evolves slowly, sometimes over months as she responds to the media and what it reveals. The result is a body of work that is both timeless and unique. The basis of her practice is to stretch the known, imagine and create new possibilities for wood, and communicate the imperishable and untouchable spirit of living things. The works inspire a sense of awe.

The vitality of the natural form, combined with the brevity of light, shadow, surface and mass, captures the complexity of light and energy. The wood structure refined to paper thin – illuminates. Jeannette invites the viewer into her intimate world and those of her creations.

jeannettemrein-sculptor.com.au