Iconic Australian fashion designer Linda Jackson AO will showcase her renowned Opal designs,and the inspiration behind them,in an exhibition exclusive to Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery this summer.
Opal Linda Jackson will survey the over-40-year career of the artist, textile maker and fashion designer through the lens of her obsession with opals.
Linda said her fascination with the colourful gems began at a young age.
“My mother had an opal that I loved,” Linda said.
“Loving colour the way that I did, and being in Sydney, working with Jenny [Kee], having an amazing time being creative and discovering all the opal shops in Sydney, and I thought there’s more to this than what I’m looking at.
“This was the end of ’79, 1980, and it started a whole new opal fever passion completely for me.”
Linda’s way of working soon took her to the opal producing areas of Lightning Ridge and Coober Pedy to see the source of the opals and to meet the people involved in mining them.
“It helped to begin me working out how to create opal fabrics, opal textiles, working out the rainbows and also working with the jewellery,” she said.
“Really then discovering Boulder opal, which is from Queensland, and from all the different places and the patterns are so different, that just started another whole exploration with working with colour, and the obsession, it’s never stopped.
“So part of this exhibition is really telling my story from those early days.
“Once you get involved with colour it’s never ending, and I think opal is part of our incredible country that is there to explore.”
The exhibition was curated by Bundaberg Regional Galleries after Linda connected with the Galleries team while she was working with local artist Julie Appo in 2023.
“I love regional galleries. I’ve had wonderful exhibitions in quite a few regional galleries around Australia and I’m thrilled to be in Bundaberg,” she said.
“On my drives from Bendigo, via Bondi, to Bundaberg, up and down to the opal fields and up to Port Douglas, I’ve just loved discovering all these different places.
“Growing up in Bonanza Road in Beaumaris and looking upwards, that was where my destiny was, to be able to discover all the amazing things in our country and you know, Bundaberg’s a pretty extraordinary place, so I’m thrilled to be back.”
The exhibition will include some of Linda’s earliest works alongside contemporary collaborations with Australian fashion house Romance Was Born, and her 2024 Australian Fashion Week partnership with Jordon Gogos.
Council’s Arts, Heritage and Asset Management portfolio spokesperson Councillor John Learmonth said the exhibition would appeal to a broad audience.
“From serious fashion aficionados to audiences keen to marvel at the frocks worn on red carpets, there is something for everyone in this exhibition,” Cr Learmonth said.
“The exhibition looks back to a time when Linda and her contemporaries were forging a distinctive path for Australia on the international fashion scene,” Cr Learmonth said.
“She was inspired by Australia’s unique colour palette, flora, and fauna, and her hand-painted and screen-printed garments became synonymous with our national identity.
“We are so pleased to be able to bring an exhibition of this calibre, from an artist with such a long creative career, to local audiences and visitors.”
Opal Linda Jackson opens on Saturday 16 November with a free public opening from 5 pm.
There will be a special ticketed preview event with the artist on Friday 15 November, featuring live entertainment, refreshments and models parading Linda’s fashion creations.
Opal Linda Jackson
Where: Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, 1 Barolin Street, Bundaberg
When: 16 November to 9 February 2025
Opening night: Saturday 16 November at 5 pm. Free, no booking required.
Up Late! Exclusive Preview of Opal Linda Jackson has been cancelled.
