Dodd is also responsible for the design or cover artwork for The Verlaines 7" single Death and the Maiden, their EP 10 O'Clock in the Afternoon (1984), The Verlaines 12" single Doomsday b/w New Kinda Hero and LP & CD, Juvenilia (both 1986), Able Tasmans LP & CD Hey Spinner! (1990), and Able Tasman CD Shape of Dolls (1993).[3][4] She contributes backing vocals to the songs "Anchor Me" and "Queen's English" on The Mutton Birds album Salty (1993).
Education
From 1982 to 1984 she studied for a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Otago, majoring in Phenomenology of Religion with additional papers in Anthropology, History, Art History, Maori Language and Philosophy.[5]
The Chills
Dodd was a founding member of Martin Phillips' group The Chills, alongside his sister Rachel Phillips (keyboards), Peter Gutteridge (guitar) and Alan Haig (drums).[6] Dodd had also been a member of Phillips' earlier group, The Same, which had also included future The Verlaines co-founder Craig Easton.[7][8] She left to travel in Europe and was replaced by Terry Moore, who recorded with The Chills for the Dunedin Double EP.[8] Dodd and fellow original members performed in 2010 in Dunedin for The Chills' 30th anniversary.[9][10]
Dodd joined Able Tasmans before the recording of their second album Hey Spinner (1990). She remained with them until they split up in 1996, having released a further two albums and an EP, collected on the compilation Songs from the Departure Lounge (1998). For the Flying Nun Records 10th anniversary compilation, Roger Sings the Hits (1991), Able Tasmans contributed the song "Getting Older" by The Clean, who The Chills (with Dodd) supported at their first concert.[13]
Jewellery
Dodd is also a well-known New Zealand contemporary jeweller. Her transition from music to jewellery took place after a 1989 trip to Mexico.[14] In a 2015 interview Dodd recalled
There I was exposed to and excited by that culture’s ubiquitous interaction with craft and aesthetics—an approach I realized was largely lacking in New Zealand. I returned determined to engage in the arts and applied to go to craft school. Originally I intended to study ceramics, but the very lively and productive jewelry department soon won me over.[14]
In 1994 Dodd completed a four-year diploma in 3D Design majoring in Jewellery at Unitec, where she studied with Pauline Bern and other tutors.[5][15] She then joined the all-female jewellery collective Workshop 6, which coincided with the break-up of Able Tasmans.[1] She remained in Auckland with Workshop 6 for 15 years before moving back to Dunedin in 2009.[1] In Dunedin she shares studio space with fellow New Zealand jeweller Octavia Cook.[14]
She is well known for her miniaturised depictions in silver of New Zealand landscapes, which have occasionally been produced on commission to recreate a client's favourite scenery.[16] Fairy tales are another source of inspiration.[17] A recent body of work titled 'Rococo Revolution' features realistic and abstracted representations of animals made from wood, bone and precious stone, inspired by visiting European museums and palaces.[18] Dodd writes:
“Rococo Revolution… illustrates my discomfort with the way we hoover up wildlife and environment for our own frivolous ends. With these pendants I want to honor the simple, elegant forms of the animal world. The subject of the brooches is the battle between nature and culture. The collection of works pays homage to the crazy and rich craft traditions of the Rococo Age.[18]
These works have also been inspired by Leuchterweibchens, Gothic German candelabra that often incorporate animal shapes and antlers.[14]
She has exhibited throughout New Zealand and internationally, and is featured in the book 21st Century Jewellery: the best of the 500 series.[19] In 2007, she participated in Objectspace gallery's series of workshops and exhibition, Small Wonders.[20] Her collection of work 'Rococo Revolution' was shown at Objectspace in 2014 and at Velvet da Vinci gallery in San Francisco in 2015.[21][18]
Dix, J. (2005 (revised edition)). Stranded in Paradise: New Zealand Rock and Roll, 1955 to the Modern Era. Wellington: Penguin Books. ISBN0-14-301953-8.
Dodd, Jane (2002) Straw Into Gold, introduction by Grant Thompson. ISBN0473087464
Eggleton, D. (2003) Ready to fly: The story of New Zealand rock music. Nelson, NZ: Craig Potton Publishing. ISBN1-877333-06-9
Le Van, Marthe (2011). 21st Century Jewellery: the best of the 500 series. New York: Lark Crafts.
Regnault, Claire (2000) The Ends of the Earth: jewellery by Jane Dodd Napier: Hawkes Bay Museum
Shute, Gareth (2008). NZ Rock, 1987 – 2007. Auckland: Random House New Zealand. ISBN1869790006
Skinner, Damian (2010) Pocket Guide to New Zealand Jewellery San Francisco / Boston.
Smith, Charmian (2002) "Charm jewellery inspired by favourite fairy tales" in Otago Daily Times, O3/10/02
Thompson, Grant (2004) "Workshop 6: fluidity and solidarity" in Object no. 42
(2010) 500 Gemstone Jewels: a sparkling collection of dazzling designs New York / London: Lark Books
(1999) "Jewels in the crown" in Fashion Quarterly Autumn issue, 1999