Jane and Mario Downes

After an early career in Cartography and Draughting, Jane completed a Bachelor of Design majoring in Sculpture/3D Design at CPIT in 2001.

After graduating she followed her passion into Architecture and Interior/Spatial Design and began developing her Sculpture practice, living and working from a central city loft in Christchurch for several years. During this time she worked mainly in fibre and plastic.

Jane now works from her home workshop in a secluded valley near Little River on Banks Peninsula. She now works mainly in metal, thanks to the construction and installation skills of her engineer husband Mario (find out more about Mario at www.littleriver.co.nz).

Jane exhibits at major events throughout the country, undertakes sculpture commissions and designs and makes objects that she sells online and at selected markets (see www.ironweed.co.nz). As well as frequent road trips for exhibiting and selling, Jane and Mario’s lifestyle also includes developing a sculpture park, semi self-sufficiency and a small tribe of manx cats.