Jill Orr
COMMON UNHAPPINESS
9 - 31 May 2026
OPENING/MEET THE ARTIST Saturday 9 May, 11am – 5pm ALL WELCOME
MEET THE ARTIST Saturday 16 May 11am – 2pm with ARTIST TALK at 1pm
“Common unhappiness”—that shared state to which we return, regardless of scale, whether our lives are marked by grandeur or grief. A reminder that beneath it all, there is a common ground… at least for some.
Jill Orr has produced a delicate series of works on paper inspired by her garden. A master of watercolour, these works pay homage to the many artists before her who have found solace in nature.
My work is always about a response to nature. I work for myself, for the excitement and illumination of understanding a natural thing. This work is largely based on the flowers I grow in my garden where I am attempting to bring back bees and butterflies.
What techniques do you use?
I use whatever materials and techniques allow me to explain that “truth”. Lately that is watercolour on paper.
Some artists always seem to be there for me. Cezanne, Matisse ,with strings of others that remind me what we’re here for and what we need to get on with. Special artist friends who talk of truth!
1.Number 12 mixed media on paper 39 x 30cm framed $550.00
2.Pichola mixed media on paper 29 x 25cm framed $500.00
3.Latin Love Havana mixed media on paper 51 x 41cm framed $600.00
4.Conversations mixed media on paper 39 x 30cm framed $550.00
5.Valentine Day mixed media on paper 25 x 29cm framed $500.00
6.Snug mixed media on paper 30 x 39cm framed $550.00
7.Dash mixed media on paper 39 x 30cm framed $550.00
8.Outside Lyon mixed media on paper 41 x 51cm framed $600.00
9.Kenny Cupcake mixed media on paper 51 x 41cm framed $600.00
10.Autumn 2 mixed media on paper 39 x 30cm framed $550.00
11.Twist and Turn Shimsham mixed media on paper 39 x 30cm framed $600.00
12. Shimsham mixed media on paper 51 x 41cm framed $600.00
13. Twist mixed media on paper 39 x 30cm framed $550.00
14.Little Magic Flowers mixed media on paper 29 x 25cm framed $500.00
15.Coogee mixed media on paper 29 x 25cm framed $500.00
16.Pretty Little Flower painting mixed media on paper 29 x 25cm framed $500.00
17.Press stud mixed media on paper 29 x 25cm framed $500.00
18.Autumn 3 mixed media on paper 44 x 35cm framed $570.00
19.Fleetwood mixed media on paper 29 x 25cm framed $500.00
20.End of Spring mixed media on paper 44 x 35cm framed $570.00
21.Night in Havana mixed media on paper 39 x 30cm framed $550.00
22.Autumn 2 mixed media on paper 44 x 35cm framed $570.00
23.Drift mixed media on paper 44 x 35cm framed $570.00
24.Autumn mixed media on paper 39 x 30cm framed $550.00
25.Blocks mixed media on paper 39 x 30cm framed $550.00
26.Poppies mixed media on paper 44 x 35cm framed $570.00
27.Allendale mixed media on paper 29 x 25cm framed $500.00
28.Allendale 2 mixed media on paper 29 x 25cm framed $500.00
29.Allendale 3 mixed media on paper 29 x 25cm framed $500.00
Please make an appointment to view other works by Jill Orr from this series in our STOCKROOM via info@straitjacket.com.au or 0434 886 450.
Artist Biography
Jill Orr’s practice includes painting and drawing. She first exhibited in Ghana in 1974 and has been exhibiting continuously ever since. She studied in Canberra, London and completed a Graduate Diploma of Fine Arts in Sydney in 1983. She has been a finalist in the Dobell Drawing Prize, Maitland Art Prize among others. She worked as an arts administrator in London and Sydney before moving to Newcastle in 1984. She taught at the Newcastle Art School until 2014. Her work is held in private and public collections. This is her second solo exhibition at Straitjacket.