Janice Corbishley

- Artist Profile

When you have the privilege of getting to know Janice better, you soon realize that ‘mosaic’ describes not only her beloved art form but also her life. Janice hasn’t always had things easy. She’s had to deal with some very tough issues. Yet, her positive attitude to life, quick wit, infectious laugh, and exceptional talent find it’s way into all the beautiful mosaic pieces she creates. “I do bond with every piece and have a need to keep it around me for some time before letting it go. A piece of my heart and soul goes into each creation”.

Janice is a successful businesswoman in her own right, having spent 20 years in a very competitive retail industry. In 2010 is when Janice became the proud owner of Red Peach Gallery, and pursed her passion in the arts.

She first stumbled upon a mosaic workshop in progress in Taupo. Fascinated by the storytelling prospects within the art, she signed up for a course in 2002. “My first piece was a small table with black tiles, mirror border, and abstract toothbrush and toothpaste. I still have it – it takes place of pride in my bathroom”.

Janice has become the ultimate collector, her garage is a testimony to this. Boxes full of china and porcelain – the oldest to date – 130 years. She prefers fine bone china. “I started with broken china from a department store. Then moved into the fine china sourced from antique shops, auctions, but the most amazing is given to me by equally amazing people with a story attached. Occasionally people leave china in my letterbox!”

Looking at some of the exquisite pieces she has created you can’t help but wonder where the inspiration comes from. “The ideas mainly flow from the china itself, the colours, curve, texture connected with a memory, and or story just evolves into my pieces. Nothing is planned from the beginning”.

Her first exhibition was at the Red Peach Gallery in Ahuriri Napier. The theme was Ladies in Waiting. She also exhibited at Trelise Cooper’s Parnell Boutique in August-September 2004. Five of her other pieces were accepted in the first NZ Affordable Art Show Wellington in August 2004, which received a mention from Prime Minister Helen Clark in her opening speech! Two of her pieces were also selected for Esk River Hawke’s Bay review 2004 Annual Exhibition of Art and Craft, Pink magazine October 2006, and Art Beat @ l’Arte’ Taupo January 2008. Legato Casino Italy 2010 & 2014 the 70th Anniversary of the Battle at Monte Cassino. Janice is extremely proud to support Rotary’s annual Artex exhibition held in Hawke’s Bay, benefactors are always local recipients. In 2021 Janice’s sculpture The Awakening sold for a record figure.

Her work is absolutely stunning, sensual, and breathtaking. She designed clothing in the ’80s and to her, mosaic is like dressmaking in porcelain with a bit of poetry thrown in.