RESIST & dye
By Andrea Louise Thomas Photos Yanni
W
hen Kenya declared its independence from Britain in 1963, the comfortable colonial lifestyle that Jane Suffield knew as a child came to an end. She was seven years old when her family left Africa. They flew to Aden, Saudi Arabia and then boarded a ship for the long journey to Perth and then another to Sydney. As a child, Jane was always drawing and painting. She wanted to be an artist. Her mother, who was very creative, taught Jane sewing, knitting, crocheting and embroidery. These skills proved very helpful later in life when she began her current art practice. Although she did her HSC (Higher School Certificate) in painting, Jane did not begin her career as an artist. Her high school art teacher suggested she study interior design (though her heart was really in music). continued next page...
December 2021
E ssence | 25
PENINSULA