SALA 2026 Exhibition - Born to Be Wild
Image Credit: Neva Jones, 2026, "Leafy Sea Dragon" -Textile thread painting by machine on fabric and painted canvas.
Born to be Wild is a vivid celebration of Australia’s unique wildlife created by Neva Jones using textiles - fabric and thread- not paint. These intricate wildlife portraits are created through bold fabric appliqué and intricate machine free-motion embroidery, with a background of painted canvas. Each piece blends color, texture, and movement to capture the spirit of native wildlife.
Neva’s work is a tribute to our iconic Australian fauna and sea life with a strong focus on creating declared endangered or fragile species to bring awareness to their plight.
The theme Born to be Wild highlights the importance of allowing our wildlife to live as they were meant to – not in fear of extinction through habitat reduction, encroachment of their space, or being impacted by fire, flood or drought brought on by climate change. It is our responsibility to do our best to look after our world which includes our wildlife.
Her love of using the sewing machine combines with her ability to understand colour shade and tone to select suitable vibrant fabrics which enhance the definition and shape of the animals, birds, bees and sea life she creates.
To create this art, Neva sketches or traces the selected image onto a painted canvas, then layers floral and patterned fabrics to define the shape and outline of the subject and free motion machine embroiders with a darning foot to create the depths of colour, shading and shapes which make it look realistic. She reveals the patterns and florals of the fabrics combined with the stitches, to develop the final image.
The aim is always to create a bird or animal which enables the viewer to connect with them, so it is especially important to sew the eyes first which give a window to then understanding more about the subject she creates. Sometimes Neva gives her pieces names that suggest their personalities.
It is Neva’s hope that this exhibition will inspire creativity for the viewers and create awareness of the vulnerability of endangered or fragile Australian animals. Even the small things we do can make a difference. For any pieces that she sells a donation is made to support their conservation.
This exhibition is proudly part of SALA Festival 2026, 1 to 31 August.
Available to view during Library opening hours Monday to Friday 10:00am-5:00pm & Saturday 10:00am to 2:00pm.