Artist takes up residence

Up-and-coming artist Kirra Jamison, who was recently listed in Australian Art Collector magazine as one of Australia’s 50 most collectable artists for 2009, is currently stretching her creative wings in Docklands.

The 26-year-old, originally from Byron Bay, is creating a series of works at Shop 12, Merchant St supplied by Lend Lease for a period of six months. Working mainly in acrylic paint, gouache, vinyl, metallic paints and paint pens, her works are distinctive for their textile-like designs, fantasy elements and use of animals.

Of her experience in Docklands, Kirra said: “My last studio was quite a small, artificially lit space tucked away off a laneway in the city, so the studio in Docklands has been a big change.”

“It’s a great space to work in because it is so big and open. I love the sense of space. The glass shopfront allows the space to be full of natural light which is a rare luxury. I’ve noticed that since working in natural light, I’ve tended to use a brighter palette.”

Kirra graduated from Queensland College of Art in 2006 with a bachelor of fine arts (1st class honours) and in 2007, following a solo exhibition at the Museum of Brisbane, was awarded a prestigious Anne and Gordon Samstag International Travelling Scholarship.

Among the best funded and most prestigious visual arts prizes in Australia, the scholarship provided Kirra with a 12-month stipend for living and studying abroad which she used to undertake further studies in California.

Kirra said: “An artist’s studio is usually a very insular and private space but here in Docklands my studio is visible to the public. This has definitely taken a little getting used to but the nice thing about it is I get people’s feedback on new work as I’m making it.”

Kirra is currently putting together an exhibition to be held at Sophie Gannon Gallery, Richmond, later this year.