Australian creative Alison Jane Rice has been developing her art practice since childhood.

Referred to as “an artist deeply attuned to the natural world,” Ali is an Artist Illustrator Author Poet. A WHO Healthy Cities Award Youth Arts Environment, Business for Peace nomination (Oslo Norway), and Masters in Creative Arts, confirm Alison’s commitment to her creative path. 

In 1977 the artist founded Auro-Ali, a unique homeware & fashion import business based in Sydney. Ali traded with the Sri Aurobindo Trust, Pondicherry India, created product labelling for essential oil, incense and stationery ranges, and designed boho-inspired footwear & evening bags.
A percentage of profits built a well and small village school in Auroville’s ashram complex.

In Rajastan Alison worked with co-operatives to design and produce clothing with delicately embroidered gemstones for fashion boutiques.

After the business sold in the eighties Ali explored natural therapies, practised flower psychometry, and acquired Shell Essence and Reiki certification.

Alison’s spiritual work re-ignited her passion for the arts and she commenced theatre training followed by studies at the University of Wollongong.

In the first year of a Bachelor Creative Arts degree, Alison was selected by British composer Stephen Edwards, (Musical Director of the National Theatre London) to research and re-interpret Shakespeare’s Tempest as an experimental music theatre production. Held in the University‘s theatre complex, The Tempest was a success and the composer offered Alison employment in the National Theatre after graduation. Due to family commitments in Australia she was unable to accept.

Her degree success led to an invitation by Art Gallery of New South Wales Director Edmund Capon, and Yiribana Gallery Curator Angela Martin, to create multi-faceted art & dance performances in Yiribana for NSW schools during Multicultural Week.

Her immersion into the research of Shakespeare’s entire literary works and Australian indigenous history, as a component of her degree studies, inspired Alison to create prolifically.

In the nineties, she acquired more training in film & television and freelanced as a photo journalist. Alison reported on environmental issues, international music events like Dire Straits Australian tour, Peter Gabriel’s Womadelaide, and exclusive personal interviews eg Anita Roddick, UK founder of The Body Shop.

The artist also freelanced as a Creative Writing tutor, ran arts n craft workshops, and implemented her ALIGHT Journal as an after school program.

Employed by the NSW Government’s Greenleap program as a Communications Trainer, working alongside horticulturalists on bush regeneration sites from Shelly Beach Manly to Currawong Reserve on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, was another highlight. Through her innovative arts therapy approach Alison secured transformative outcomes and employment for disadvantaged 15-21 year old youth.

In 1999, Alison’s Collector Editions began with the international publication of her first book The ALIGHT Journal. A self development journal and program that secured the support of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama amongst others and raised awareness of the healing power of art.

After hospice visits with children in Camperdown Children’s Hospital, Westmead, and Bear Cottage Manly, Alison chose to launch The ALIGHT Journal at The Children’s Hospital Westmead. Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett AM opened the event.

Alison donated profits from The ALIGHT Journal to the hospital’s artist-in-residence program. Her heart’s wish was “art adorning walls of hospices around the globe with patients able to access art therapy whilst in convalescence.”

Alison went on to write and illustrate whimsical artist editions namely The Legend of Prince Farty Barty & His Sacred Bum Bum Tree, Arty Barty’s Magic Paintbrush, and Birds Go Boho. Collectible books, some with print and card ranges, successfully launched in solo exhibitions with the National Trust.

All books proved a popular investment for art and book lovers and generated festival talks, Book Week appearances, ABC radio interviews, and artist workshops.

Alison’s artist editions were showcased in the National Gallery of Victoria’s inaugural Artist Book Fair, and SCWBI’s (Society of Children’s Writers & Book Illustrators) US showcase held in Los Angeles.

Apart from self taught drawing and painting disciplines, the artist honed her skills through short term arts training at respected institutions. These included Julian Ashton Art School, the National Art School, Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens, and first year studies in Newcastle University’s Natural History arts degree.

More recently, Alison’s exclusive preview of The Royal Court of the Imperial Flower Kingdom for King Charles III (as part of celebrations of his 50-year chairmanship of the Duchy of Cornwall Prince’s Council) resulted in the purchase by the Duchy of the first set of rare prints from Alison’s fae realm series.

The Royal Preview was one of a few special events in the UK where Alison discussed her project and read excerpts from a draft of her Flower Kingdom book. Alison’s four previous publications are in the Royal collection.

After recent relocation of her studio, the artist is working on art and book projects for future exhibition.

Thank you for entering the creative microcosm of artist Alison Jane Rice 🌷