JO ROCK

Jo is an artist and writer based in Naarm.
Of Irish-Australian descent and raised in Hong Kong as an immigrant, they explore dislocation, ancestry, and the effort of landing.Jo experiences creativity as relational, each material with its own will and influence.

  • ceramics

  • prints

  • paintings

I acknowledge Wurundjeri people as true owners and first people of the land where I live.
I offer my respect to Elders, past and future.
And respect to all First Nations people.Resistance to colonisation continues.

Alter pots, 2026, with what alters me.

EI, 2025, earth pigment and acacia tree gum on canvas.

Leg vessel, 2024, earthenware.

Vitamins, 2025, paint made of magnesium, calcium, iron, vitamin C and collagen from the bottles of expired supplement tablets which I found in hard rubbish collection. Industry sells us mined earth minerals and organic compounds as though we lack what we need the most.

Earth pigments.

I walked with my back to the sun but it set anyway, 2025, botanical dye, charcoal and earth pigments from the construction zone where trees to love once were.

Framed, 2025,
earth pigment and acacia gum in an earthenware frame.

brooches, 2020,
copper
bronze
silver
steel

I acknowledge Wurundjeri people as true owners and first people of the land where I live.
I offer my respect to Elders, past and future.
And respect to all First Nations people.Resistance to colonisation continues.

Map out, 2022, botanical prints on paper inside one months moon cycle.

Botanical ink testing.

Last Season, 2024, ink made with charcoal, iron, rose and curry berry.

Missed-diagnosed, 2024, botanical prints of fallen leaves and bark on paper, walking during winter with patterns of decay and the grief.

Medium, 2024, inks of curry berry, pomegranate,
mulberry, avocado and rose on paper.

"a lot of cops are overweight though so you probably shouldn't give them lollies", 2019, woodblock print on paper.

I acknowledge Wurundjeri people as true owners and first people of the land where I live.
I offer my respect to Elders, past and future.
And respect to all First Nations people.Resistance to colonisation continues.

I acknowledge Wurundjeri people as true owners and first people of the land where I live.
I offer my respect to Elders, past and future.
And respect to all First Nations people.Resistance to colonisation continues.