Lismore artist Joanna ‘Mrs Brown’ Kambourian remembered by friends after tragic accidental death in United States
Friends have remembered a much-loved northern NSW artist who has sadly died in a shock accident while expanding her career internationally.
Lismore
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A much-loved Northern Rivers artist has tragically died after falling and injuring herself in the United States.
Joanna Kambourian died on Wednesday, April 12.
Baltimore emergency services tried to revive Ms Kambourian but were not successful, those who knew the artist told this publication.
Ms Kambourian was just 47.
Ms Kambourian travelled to America to take up an artist residency in upstate New York.
She then worked as a technician at the New York Print Studio before taking on a teaching fellowship with Atlantic print studios in Washington DC.
Ms Kambourian was on her way to Yerevan in Armenia, her ancestral homeland, to do a residency there.
Ex-Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowell said Lismore “has lost a gem”.
“Joanna was a magnificent print maker and also has street art works in our Back Alley Gallery,” she said.
“She often worked under the name Mrs Brown and her studio was called Mrs Brown’s Lounge.”
Ms Kambourian was a member of Creative Lismore and considered a “wonderful teacher”.
Lismore Regional Gallery Director Ashleigh Ralph said Ms Kambourian “was a treasured artist in this community”.
“We were so excited to follow her journey in NYC,” she said.
“Her exhibition at Lismore Regional Gallery went through the flood, and we hoped to continue working with her.
“Throughout her creative practice, Jo explored experiences and concepts of “hybrid hyphenations” within contemporary cultural and social identity,” Ms Ralph said.
Joanna was a featured artist with her solo exhibition “Fear Catchers & Neon Talismans” at the Lismore Regional Gallery during the floods in 2022.
The “poignant exhibition” showcased a body of work that reflected her Armenian ancestral cultural heritage through contemporary talismans, ritual and repetition as acts of remembrance.
“Jo‘s legacy extends beyond the Northern Rivers community as an Australian-born designer, printmaker, and multidimensional visual artist of Armenian American heritage,” Ms Ralph said.
At the time of her passing, she was living and working on her practice in New York City, expanding upon her knowledge and sharing her experience in an awe-inspiring residency at the Pyramid Atlantic Art Centre.
“Our team is deeply and personally affected by Joanna’s passing and we are still navigating the loss.”
Erica Gully said her close friend Ms Kambourian’s “light will continue to shine on”, despite her physical absence.
“How could it not? She exuded a huge, brilliant light that emanated from the giant star that existed within her,” she said.
“Joanna was a ridiculously talented soul.”
Ms Kambourian was remembered by those who knew her as clever and creative with a “generous spirit”. She was also described as an “amazing artist”, “stylish mega-babe” and an “engaging storyteller”.
Ms Gully said her friend was witty and her “awesome taste” in music spanned many genres.
“She recognised her humanity and while at times struggled with the self doubt that plagues all honest beings, I hope she could see that she was truly and deeply loved,” she said.
Ms Gully said she will be one of many who will be lost without her loyal and honest friend.
Fellow artist and friend Paul Andrew said: “Jo was one of those rare, kind and selfless community-based change agents who transformed people‘s lives.”
He said Ms Kambourian “deeply touched the hearts and souls” of many.
“Joanna’s infectious passion, care and generosity endures, inspiring us all, both in the present and in the future,” Mr Andrews said.
Fellow artisan and close friend Kate Stroud said Joanna had “the calling of the life of a an artist”.
“She used this calling to cultivate community around her,” Ms Stroud said, “with an open door to the curious and the keen she was generous with her time, her wisdoms and was a great mentor to many.
“Her work in the past few years was an exciting deep delve into her ancestral roots, embodying Armenian patterns, objects and textiles always with her bright signature colour palette sprinkled throughout.
“The Lismore community has lost a dear sparkly friend and massive contributor to the artistic landscape of our town. She will be dearly missed.”
Ms Gully said: “Joanna had a contagious smile and boisterous laugh that will remain in our heads and hearts forever.”
“The depths of our current heartbreak only demonstrates how deeply we loved you Jo.
“We are all going to miss you so very much.
“Our world has genuinely lost one of its greatest beings.
“Big love babe until we all catch up next.”
“Vale Queen Kambourian.”
Family were flying to the US to arrange to bring Joanna home to Australia.
Friends have set up a GoFundMe to raise funds to help the family.
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