I had the good fortune of being able to attend the special exhibition “Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution” at AGSA in Adelaide in September 2023. I did of course study Frida over the course of my art degree, and have always been inspired by her spirit - but after seeing this exhibition I really couldn’t get her out of my mind, so I had to paint her. My portrait of Frida Kahlo, the famous Mexican artist, is a vibrant expression of passion and strength, in a colourful and semi-abstract style. Frida is depicted with her signature hair style, wearing a large floral crown on her head. Her face is painted in vibrant colours, showcasing her unique artistic style. The background is filled with various flowers and greenery, giving the overall piece a lively and artistic feel. I harnessed acrylics and spray paint to channel a figure of profound emotional depth. My brushstrokes celebrate resilience and individuality, just like Frida herself, and my palette bursts with life. Frida’s intense gaze serves as the soul's window, inviting a connection that resonates with the viewer's own spirit. Every splash of colour adds to the narrative of enduring grace. This piece will infuse your space with a bold, empowering energy.

Kerry Inkster

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The world of women swimming underwater features strongly in my work. I’m a contemporary painter and underwater photographer from Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. My paintings explore the female figure and face through poetic symbolism, paint itself, light, colour and personal journal, and have a distinctive, bright palette with saturated tones and contrasting light. I use Notan principles, a term derived from the Japanese language, literally means “light-dark balance”. I find it to be an excellent tool for simplifying composition of complex scenes and to see value instead of colour. This encourages my exploration of colour, employing Paul Gauguin’s synthetics style, where I aim to synthesise three features into my work: the outward appearance of natural forms; my feelings about my subject; and the purity of the aesthetic considerations of line, colour and form.