Born in Sweden, her grandparents were famous circus artists and her father is Adelaide based sculptor, Ted Jönsson. Marie immigrated to Australia with her family in 1972, and embarked on a highly successful career ‘diversion’ as an international model. Picking up on peripatetic life of her forebears she was to enjoy success as” Miss Summer Spain”,” South Australia Model of the Year” and “Australian Model of the Year”. However her rich artistic heritage soon exerted its primacy and she began painting while pregnant with her son.

Bringing immediate zest and life to the genre of Naïve or Naïf Art (sometimes also referred to as outsiders art, innocent art) she developed a unique painting approach wherein figures and objects are rendered in relief, giving the works a wonderful human and tactile quality. Marie’s art can best be described as Contemporary Naive Art.

Marie brings to her work a great sense of humor and keen observation of life, always presenting a positive and joyful experience often with a social comment about the human condition. Her paintings, prints and sculptures are for sale and are collected widely throughout Australia and internationally. Japan and USA has proved to be particularly appreciative and supportive markets for Marie and recently she has been making inroads into the European market.

Other highlights includes being asked to participate in the Henri Rousseau exhibition in Normandy France to mark the 100th anniversary of his death. She was featured in the acclaimed French Art magazine ARTension in a special edition on Naive art around the world (ARTension on L’Art naïf aujourd’hui). Marie was commissioned to paint the Olympic festivities; London2012 by Giclee Link, a UK publishing company and also saw her paintings made into duvet (quilt covers) by ARTnBED in New York and Israel. This year will be Marie’s third year of representing Australia in the annual Art Naive Festival in Katowice, Poland.

She has also got several public sculptures to her name, the largest creation spanning 44 meters across at the entrance of the mid north town of Balaklava called the Federation Gateway. This sculpture depicts a federation house with stories made from handmade ceramic and mosaic, telling some of the tales of the district over the last 100 years both in pictures and the written word on plaques.

Marie has won many Art Competitions and been the recipient of two SA Great awards for the Arts in 2002 and 2007. Her artworks are also featured in corporate collections, private collections and several art books worldwide. Her artwork is for sale to the general public including paintings, sculptures, giclee prints and more.

Come and join Marie on her ART BLOG where she tells the tales about what inspires an artist to paint everything from her circus roots in Sweden, former life as an international model, family in Australia and travel stories. This art blog is for those of you who like Art in general and share Marie’s quirky sense of humor, your comments are most welcome.

Also connect with Marie and other artists in all genres on her Facebook Page where you will find a daily quote to live by such as; “Life is short, eat dessert first”.

2 SA Great Awards for Arts

EXHIBITIONS: MARIE JONSSON-HARRISON

2014 Project Mapping (video mapping) on Swedish Embassy, Warsaw, Poland
2014 Galerie Knud Grothe, Charlottenlund, Copenhagen, Denmark
2014 Art Naive Festival in Katowice, Poland (representing Australia)
2013 Sculpture for Sight, St Marks College, Adelaide, South Australia
2013 Outsider Festival, Adelaide, South Australia
2013 Naive Art of Australia, Callan Park Gallery, Sydney University, Australia
2013 Kunstgalleriet Odense, Odense, Denmark
2013 Galleri Naif, Islands Brygge, Copenhagen, Denmark
2013 Galleri Naif, Islands Brygge, Copenhagen, Denmark
2013 Bathing Box Project and the Sea Change exhibition,Holdfast Discovery Center,Glenelg, SA
2013 Art Naive Festival in Katowice, Poland (representing Australia)
2012 Sculpture for Sight, St Marks College, Adelaide, South Australia
2012 Outsider Festival, Adelaide, South Australia
2012 Art Naive Festival in Katowice, Poland (representing Australia)
2012  The Demise or Otherwise of South Australia’s Gulfs exhibition, Gallery M, South Australia
2012  SALA FESTIVAL, Play at the Bay Exhibition, Holdfast Bay Discovery Center, Glenelg, SA
2012  Henri Rousseau exhibition, Normandy, France
2011.  Post Cards Exhibition at the Bay, Glenelg, South Australia
2011 Sala Festival, Waverley Homestead, Willunga, SA
2011 Sala Festival Award Finalists, Keith Murdock House, Adelaide, SA
2011 Outsider Festival, Adelaide, South Australia
2011 Brighton Jetty Sculpture Exhibition, Brighton, South Australia
2011 Art Naive Festival in Katowice, Poland (representing Australia)
2011  Sala Festival, White Cedars Cafe, Burra,SA
2011  Mondial d’art Naif Festival, Katowice, Poland
2009. Solo Show Greenhill Galleries Adelaide
2009. Solo Show Ascot Gallery, Kadina SA
2009. Scotch College Adelaide
2009. Sala Festival. Penna Lane Winery.Clare Valley SA
2009. Post Cards Exhibition at the Bay, Glenelg South Australia
2009. Florey Foundation Exhibition.
2009 St Kevin’s College. Melbourne Vic
2008. St Kevin’s College, Melbourne
2008. Scotch College Exhibition, Scotch College, Adelaide SA
2008. SALA Festival, White Cedars Cafe, Burra SA
2008. Newland Exhibition, Solo Show Adelaide
2008. Florey Foundation Exhibition Adelaide
2008. Clare SALA Festival, Seven Hill Winery, Clare SA
2008. Canberra Steve Fox Gallery
2007. Solo. Exhibition, Print Bin, Hyde Park, Adelaide SA
2007. Solo Exhibition, Greenhill’s Galleries Nth Adelaide SA
2006. Solo Exhibition, Nagoya Japan.
2004. The Banque. Adelaide South Australia
2004. Scotch College Exhibition, South Australia
2004. Greenhill Galleries, Solo Show, Nth Adelaide SA
2004. Greenhill Galleries Nth Adelaide
2003. Art Domain, Adelaide SA.
2002. Scotch College Exhibition, Scotch College
2002. Bruce Auction House.
2001. Stanthorpe Art Gallery, Queensland
2000. Nilsson Gallery, Bruzaholm, Sweden.
2000. Australian Naive Gallery, Sydney2000. Verlie Just Town Gallery and Japan Room, Brisbane
1999. Verlie Just Town Gallery and Japan Room, Brisbane OLD.
1999. Parker Cultural Centre, Denver Colorado, USA.
1998. The Warehouse gallery, Parker, Colorado, USA
1998. Queen Street Gallery, Sydney.
1998. Kensington Gallery, Adelaide.199B. Clare Valley Spring Fair Exhibition, South Australia.
1998. Hahndorf Academy, Hahndorf, South Australia.
1998. Balaklava Court House Gallery, Balaklava, South Australia.
1998. Art Gallery at Pine hill Ranch, Colorado, USA.
1998. Art Gallery at Pine Hill Ranch, Colorado, USA.
1997. Woodstock Winery Exhibition, McLaren Flat, South Australia.
1997. Port sea Summer Exhibition, Victoria.
1997. Ninon Garu, Tokyo, Japan.
1997. Loreto College Exhibition, Loreto College, Adelaide.
1997. Gallery Harvest, Nagoya Japan.
1997. Art Gallery at Pine Hill Ranch, Denver Colorado, USA.
1996. Some Days are Diamonds, Adelaide.
1996. Newland Gallery, Adelaide.
1996. Museum of Civilization, Canada.
1996. Libby Edwards Gallery, Melbourne.
1996. Gannon house Gallery, Sydney.
1996. Gallery Ikko, Nagoya, Japan.
1996. Burra Gallery, Burra, South Australia.
1996. Balaklava Court House Gallery, Balaklava, South Australia.
1996. Art Images Naive Exhibition,
1995. Gallery Harvest, Nagoya, Japan.
1994. Gallery Harvest, Nagoya, Japan.
1994. Gallery Gibraltar, Bowral, NSW.
1994. Australian Naive Art Book Launch Exhibition, Libby Edward’s Gallery,
1994. Australian Naive Art Book Launch Exhibition, Barry Stern Gallery, Sydney.
1993. Greenaway Gallery, Adelaide
1993. Gallery Harvest, Nagoya, Japan
1992. State of the Art of the State, Festival Theatre, Adelaide
1992. Loreto College Exhibition, Loreto College, Adelaide.
1991. Winter Collectors Exhibition, Elder Fine Art gallery, Adelaide.
1991. Sport Naive, Australian Naive Gallery, Sydney.
1991. Loreto College Exhibition, Loreto College, Adelaide.
1991. Joint Exhibition, with Howard Steer, Gallery Art Naive,
1991. Christmas show, Gallery Art Naive, Melbourne.
1991. Annual Naive Exhibition, Gallery Art Naive, Melbourne.
1991. Adam & Eve Exhibition, Australian Naive Gallery, Sydney.
1990. Sport of Kings, Elder Fine Art Gallery, Adelaide.
1990. Loreto college Exhibition (featured artist), Loreto College,
1990. Festival of Arts (featured artist), Elder Fine art Gallery, Adelaide.
1990. Contemporary Art Centre, Adelaide
1990. Annual Naive Exhibition, Gallery Art Naive, Melbourne.
1989. Annual Naive Art Exhibition, Gallery Art Naive, Melbourne.

AWARDS

2013 First Prize, Religious Art, American Art Awards, Los Angeles, USA (painting “Noahs Ark”)
2013 First Prize for Naive Art, American Art Awards, Los Angeles, USA (painting “The true colors of Hindley Street)
2011 . Post Cards at the Bay, one of 5 prizes
2011  Top Ten Finalist In the Advertiser Business SA Contemporary Art Prize
2010. First Prize Country Section, Port Adelaide Rotary Show
2009. Post cards at the bay, one of 5 prizes
2009. Port Adelaide Rotary Show 2nd Prize Country Section
2007. SA Great Award for the Arts Regional
2007. Finalist, Waterhouse; Adelaide Museum
2007. 1st Prize Clare Rotary Art Show
2005. Highly Commended, Clare Rotary Art Show.
2005. Finalist, the Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize.
2005. Balco Art Show, Highly Commended
2004. Naive Award, Clare Rotary Show, judge; Paul Greenaway.
2003. Naive Award, Clare Rotary Show, Judge, Russell Starke.
2003. Christianity, an Australian Dimension, Highly Commended, judge, Archbishop Ian George
2002. SA Great Award, For the Arts. South Australia.
2000. Finalist Fleurieu Biennale.
2000. Elders Stock Journal Art Award, Royal Adelaide Show.
2000. Balco Art Award, Country Prize, Balaklava, South Australia.
1999. Port Art Show, 2nd Prize, Country Section, Judge, Kym Bonython.
1999. Balco Art Award, District Prize, Balaklava, South Australia.
1998. Balco Art Award, District Prize, Balaklava, South Australia.
1997. Balco Art Award, 1st Prize and District Prize, Balaklava, South Australia.
1991. Port Art Show, 2nd Prize, Judge, David Dallwitz.
1990. Port Art Show, Highly Commended (one of six) Judge, Kym Bonython.
1988. Katherine Show, Fabric Paint Section, 1st Prize.
1988. Katherine Show, Acrylic Section, 2nd prize.

PUBLICATIONS

Art link Covers, Front and Back, Summer Edition, 92/93.
Australian Naive Art, Sandra Warner, Craftsman House Publishers.
Art Images 2 by Neville Drury, Craftsman House Publishers
Front Cover, Adelaide review, October 96 Issue.
Port Adelaide, Enfield Council, pottering at the Port post Card
John Shearer Greeting Card
Front Cover of Grape growers and Wine Makers Magazine
Centenary of federation Book 2001
Art Smart by Lou Chamberlain, McGraw-Hill Publishers
Fridge Magnets, Enfield Council, Adelaide.
Adam & Steve, Hendrickson Publications, Peabody Massachusetts USA
Who’s Who South Australia; 2007
Who’s Who? Australia, National 2008.
Who’s who? (Women) 2008
2009. Bay Discovery Centre Post Card
2 Greeting cards, for Care Cards Australia
Who’s Who of Australian Women 2009
Who’s Who of Australian Women 2010
Who’s Who of Australian Women 2011

Who’s Who of Australian Women 2012

Who’s Who of Australian Women 2013

2011 Bay Discovery Centre Post Card

2011 The Outsiders Festival 2011, hard cover book, Stefan Maguran

2011 Art Naif Festiwal, (soft cover book)Eko-Art Silesia, Katowice, Poland

2012  French Art magazine ARTtension (special edition on Naive art around the world,ARTension on L’Art naïf aujourd’hui)

2012 Olympic festivities print by Giclee Link (UK publisher) London2012

2012 Art Naif Festiwal, (soft cover book)Eko-Art Silesia, Katowice, Poland

2012 Paintings published on duvets (quilt covers) by ARTnBED in New York and Israel

2013 ART COLLECTOR MAGAZINE, Australia, Undiscovered No.64 (April-June)

2013 Additional painting published on duvets (quilt covers) by ARTnBED in New York and Israel

2014 Project Mapping (video mapping) on Swedish Embassy, Warsaw, Poland (featured in Polish Press and in the Metro and Buses )

COMMISSIONS

Mount Lofty House, Mount Lofty, South Australia.
John Shearer Ltd, Australia.
Wilson’s Vineyard, 2 Wine Labels, Riesling & Cabernet Sauvignon.
Wine label, Port Adelaide Centenary Committee.
Penna Lane Winery. Clare South Australia.
Balaklava Library 2003
Airedale Primary School 2005
Wakefield Regional Council 2001, 2008

2012 Olympic festivities print by Giclee Link (UK publisher) London2012

2014 Project Mapping on Swedish Embassy, Warsaw, Poland
plus many private commissions

COLLECTIONS

SA Country Arts Trust.
Government House Adelaide, South Australia.
Stanhope Art Gallery, Queensland.
Scotch College, Adelaide SA
Adelaide Airport

PRIVATE COLLECTIONS

Australia, America. Japan. Europe. Scandinavia.

GRANTS

1999. South Australian Country Arts Trust, Arts SA, Australia Council (for public sculptures)
2000. Centenary of Federation, Grant, (for public sculptures)

PUBLIC SCULPTURES

2001. Centenary of Federation Sculpture, Balaklava, South Australia, 44 Meters long.
2003. Water Feature, Balaklava Library Balaklava, South Australia
2003. Des Ross Memorial Artwork, Balaklava, South Australia.
2005. Airedale Primary School, Port Pirie South Australia.
2008. Public benches, Wakefield Council, Balaklava Youth Week, Balaklava SA

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