About NINA
Nina Hudson-Jones is an Australian artist. Born in 1996 surrounded by Sydneys iconic Northern Beaches, and currently resides with her family on the vibrant Chapel Street, Melbourne, Australia.
Best known for her work founding Bad Art Collective in 2020 - an artist collective that ran for 4 years hosting some of Melbournes most sort after underground art events. Hudson-Jones informally nicknamed 'BadArt Mummy' set her sights on creating a community of artists, both mentoring and curating a safe space young creatives, before taking her own moment for the spotlight.
Most recently Hudson-Jones has pivoted her career to focus more on the craft of art making and self reflection as she embarks on her solo artist career. Acquiring skills in hand made stretched canvas and glass work picture framing - Hudson-Jones has an elevated technique that results in only handmade pieces of art. Strong socially conscious commitment to the highest standard of quality and ethical means of production both for the world and the creators in it.
This shift in direction inspired primarily by her birth place and the awe inspiring nature that surrounded Sydney city where she spent her childhood either up a tree, on a bush walk or stuck in a rip tide in a surf beach somewhere, Hudson-Jones tells her stories using the subtle, often overlooked complexities of colour and movement through abstract art.
'I spent a lot of time alone as a child just daydreaming in nature. I think that's where my creativity was formed, not unlike many of us. Starting my professional art career here in Naarm Melbourne, I felt a little eaten up and spat back out kinda thing. Melbourne can kinda be a bit of a harsh city as a creative - I think that's why I gravitated to building a community first rather than starting by selling my work in a solo way - I look at influencers doing that now and it all just seems so hollow and dystopian. People, often lost solos or misfits became my new space for daydreaming and pondering my world an my space in it. I felt welcomed by Melbournes queer and younger art scene and knew I wanted to return their love by creating a space just for us... so I named it Bad Art Collective. I wasn't anticipating its success or continuous sold out events. It was mind-blowing to me really - just how many people wanted to see what we were about. But mostly I think it was people wanting connection and a place to be uninhibited'
'Now Im glad to be back in my studio - going right back to the begging to what first inspired me, the nature of my home stomping ground, but this time with the support and love from the community I created all those years ago'.
As a vehicle for expression, Hudson-Jones work explores the delicate intricacies we find in the natural world. Fascinated by satellite imagery of oceans and river estuaries her work seems guided more by the paint then the hand. Making for a meditative like experience as the observer.
Dramatically contrasting her abstract works are her hidden collection on accurately named 'Naive Nina' where Hudson-Jones adds to her more playful side.
Being self-taught has gifted me a real sense of freedom in my practice. I don't care for making myself a brand like social media has made us all out to be. I am an artist, and I believe the role of an artist is to always be inspired by the world around them and attempt to translate that. whilst I think I'm better at certain forms of art then others I will not be type casted and I think my collectors like that about me - I keep em on their toes. I am also just a true fan of the Naive art scene.
'Before the 20th century, in its most basic sense naive art was any form of visual art created by a person who lacked the formal education and training a professional artist undergoes so in that sense Hudson-Jones likes to surprise her audience with artworks that don't ever seem in conjunction with her overall aesthetic - a nod perhaps to her Bad Art days or the influence of living and working in such a creative city.
Nina Hudson-Jones a known figure in Melbournes art scene is set to be one to watch.
You can stay updated on Nina Hudson-Jones' journey through Instagram (@ninahudsonjones).