Tweed Regional Gallery has now proudly unveiled 4 newly commissioned photographic portraits by celebrated Koa-Kuku Yalanji artist Jo-Anne Driessens, featured in its latest exhibition Mirror-view: Artists by Artists.

The exhibition, drawn largely from the Tweed Regional Gallery collection, presents a selection of portraits focussing on artists as both the subject and portraitist.

Driessens was invited to create portraits of 4 First Nations artists from the region whose work is held in the Tweed Regional Gallery collection. The new portraits include Dr Bronwyn Bancroft AM (Bundjalung artist), Penny Evans (K/Gamilaroi artist), Michael Philp (Minjungbal-Bundjalung artist), and Karla Dickens (Cross-Cultural Wiradjuri artist).

Gallery Director Ingrid Hedgcock said the Gallery was excited to showcase the commissioned works.

“We were so thankful that Jo accepted our invitation to make the commissioned portraits and now have the pleasure of proudly displaying her new works until late next year in our latest collection exhibition, Mirror View: Artists by Artists. They are an important addition to the exhibition, and we encourage everyone to visit and celebrate the meaningful contribution artists make in our lives,” Ms Hedgcock said.

Driessens reflected on the deeply personal nature of this project, sharing insight into her experience and connection with the subjects.

“Most of the artists photographed for this commission have been friends, colleagues and peers for many years and it has been a privilege to connect with each artist who offered their trust into my version of them, and most importantly, through their guidance for the spiritual and cultural places they suggested where they all felt more themselves,” Driessens said.

Driessens is a Koa-Kuku Yalanji artist with over 3 decades experience in photographic documentation. Since completing a 4-year photography cadetship at the State Library of Queensland in 1999, she has held various curatorial and photography roles, focusing on archival research, exhibitions, and Aboriginal family history.

Driessens has also worked across various arts and community focused roles including the South Stradbroke Island Indigenous Artist Camps from 2014 to 2022. As both witness and observer through the lens, Driessens has been able to photograph artists through the art-of-making, both on Country and in studios for the past 30 years.

“The commission offered by the Tweed Regional Gallery earlier this year was a natural progression of the work I have embarked on previously. I love how the tool of my choice is the ‘camera’, and the endless amounts of film and digital images I have captured over the years continues to re-connect myself with people from all walks of life and how this leads me into intimate and interesting places.”

The commissioned portraits are on display from 7 November 2025 until 6 December 2026 in the exhibition Mirror-view: Artists by Artists, alongside collection works by Ken Done, Julie Fragar, Samuel Leighton-Dore, Ben Quilty, Monica Rohan, Wendy Sharpe, Greg Weight and more.

Join the Gallery for a special Summer multi-opening event on Friday 14 November 2025, where Jo-Anne Driessens will be in attendance to celebrate the launch of her new works.

Summer Opening Celebrations 
Friday 14 November | 6 – 8 pm DST | Free     

Join us for the opening celebrations for re/JOY: Vipoo Srivilasa, an Australian Design Centre (ADC On Tour) national touring exhibition; Figure and Field curated by Bradley Vincent and featuring works by Lucia Canuto, Hilary Herrmann and Meg Stoios; Along the Shore and Under the Trees by Leah Thiessen, and Between Appearance by Nat Kafka. Celebrate new portraits by Jo-Anne Driessens of First Nations artists featured in the Gallery's collection in Mirror-view: Artists by Artists.

Bookings essential. Book via humanitix.

For more information, visit the Gallery website.