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Meet the Artist
Kimberley was born in the snow-belt area north of Toronto, Canada, where
temperatures varied between +29 degrees and –40 degrees Celsius. Warm summer
days were a fleeting experience. From an early age, her parents and teachers
encouraged the development of her interest in art and her natural artistic talent.
The Kohan family relocated to Melbourne, Australia in 1970, where Kimberley
completed her secondary and tertiary qualifications, including art as one of
her subjects. She later travelled extensively through Australia on business.
The landscape increasingly captivated her attention, directing her
to allow her art to move from hobby status to something more serious. Moving
to Kununurra, in the Kimberley, Western Australia, in 1995, proved to be
a complete contrast to both her birthplace in terms of landscape and temperature,
as well as her former day-to-day endeavours. During her first year
in Kununurra, she was fortunate to be awarded three art prizes in two of
the Kimberley Exhibitions. She was also fortunate enough to meet Nadeen
Lovell, a graduate of the Julian Ashton Art School, resident artist and
professional Teacher. The Kimberley School of Art, owned and operated by
Nadeen Lovell, has been instrumental in the development of Kimberley Kohan’s
painting techniques. |
Kimberley finishing an oil painting in the studio |
Her paintings are representational, though she works in several different
media, with a particular fondness for pastel. Her richly coloured pastel works
are highly sought after, the work covering a wide range of subjects, from cattle
being mustered to water lilies flanked by the red coloured rock of the Kimberley.
Kimberley in the Wet |
Gaining confidence in the application of Gouache, Kimberley developed
her own unique style she refers to as her colourful style. Combining earlier
training in Japanese watercolour and her love of the Kimberley landscape,
she paints the essence of the Kimberley landscape, pushing the colours,
vibrantly, but simply. The results adorn the walls of many buildings both
within Australia and overseas. This style is also featured in the book “Selected
Contemporary Artists of Australia” by Michael Berry, 2003 A number of
commissions, particularly for various West Australian government departments
have been undertaken, including bird panels for Parry’s Creek Reserve, for
the Department of Conservation and Land Management. This work is a total
of six metres in length. |
Kimberley continues to draw inspiration from the Kimberley Landscape, through
frequent camping and 4WD trips.
Art Education
Weekend workshops at Julian Ashton Art School, Sydney Residential watercolour workshop at Mortimer’s, NSW Graduate of Kimberley School of Art (2000)
Awards
1995-Two Awards in the pastel Category of the Wyndham Art Show
1996- One Award in the East Kimberley Art Show 1999- Percent for Art Award with the West Australian Government
Commissions
Department of Conservation and Land Management- Six metres
of interpretative art for the bird hide at Parry’s Lagoon Nature Reserve.
Department of Conservation and Land Management –Graphic
image for the use on in promoting the Mitchell Plateau designated to become
a national park. CSIRO- Graphic image for use on all printed media forms
for the five year Ord Bonaparte Project, that commenced 2000 West Australian Police Force- Provision of two images for
the new Kununurra Police Station. West Australian Police Force- Provision of two images for
the new Halls Creek Police Station.
Exhibitions
Lovell Gallery, Kununurra,
WA-1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 Victorian Artists Society, Melbourne, Victoria- 2001
Gallows Gallery, Mosman Park, West Australia-2002
Manyung Gallery, Mt Eliza, Victoria-2003, 2005 Art Gallery Collections, Surfers Paradise, Queensland 2005
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Late afternoon drawing at El Questro |
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