Kadira Jennings is a contemporary artist born in Tauranga, New Zealand in 1952. Her artistic journey began at the age of 15 during a summer holiday with her older brother, where she created her first painting of a pine tree.
Jennings pursued a formal art education at the Elam School of Fine Art in Auckland, New Zealand, where she studied under renowned New Zealand artist Colin McCahon[1]. After a hiatus to raise her family, she relocated to Australia in 1981 and later resumed her artistic pursuits. In Australia, she continued her artistic development under the guidance of several prominent Australian artists, including Judith White, David Andrews, John Morris, Bela Ivanyi and Kristine Ballard.
Based in Springfield on the Central Coast of Australia, 80 kilometres north of Sydney, Jennings maintains an active studio practice. Her work primarily falls into three categories: Floralscapes, Landscapes, and more recently, an exploration of the combination of realism and abstraction - the genre known as Abstract Realism.
Jennings' artistic philosophy is deeply rooted in the principles of quantum physics and interdimensional energy. She believes in the interconnectedness of all things and approaches her work with a meditative mindset, while emphasizing the importance of her emotional state and consciousness while painting. This unique perspective allows her to create works that aim to be both beautiful and spiritually uplifting.
Throughout her career, Jennings has achieved notable success, with her artworks featured in public and private collections across America, Britain, New Zealand, and Australia. She has received several international awards fir her work and has been a finalist in the Gosford Art Prize and The Hornsby Art Prize. Her paintings often serve as talismans, connecting viewers to memories, emotions, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
In her current series, she is focusing on endangered species. Using her work, she brings to our attention the reality of the disappearing flora and fauna in our environments and serves us a reminder of the importance of environmental stewardship and our connection to the planet.
Kadira Jennings continues to evolve as an artist, pushing the boundaries of her craft while remaining true to her core inspirations. Through her art, she invites viewers to join her on an artistic journey of self-discovery and exploration of the interconnected physical, spiritual and quantum realms.