Kokako Painting

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. Currently 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. In her artistic practice, Jennings strives to create a dialogue between the tangible and intangible, inviting viewers to reflect on the profound beauty often overlooked in our fast-paced lives. 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.