About

Jemma’s works currently consist of oil paint on canvas, becoming more portraiture focused in recent years. Her works display a strong organic presence seen in the spontaneous, flowing shapes and lines. Often saturated in bright warm tones that emanate an active energy and convey a strong sensation of liveliness.

The feminine qualities of her figures often embody character traits Jemma identifies within herself. Depicting them in her art as a way to better understand the gendered constructs woman must navigate in a contemporary world. Her works have become increasingly investigative on feminist theories in recent years, while still maintaining her playful, imaginative style. Jemma ultimately wishes to articulate her experiences with gender dynamics and patriarchal social structures. Mixing her lived experiences with a highly imaginative, otherworldly style.

Jemma was an active member of the arts community in regional FNQ before moving to Brisbane in 2024 to pursue a Bachelor of Visual Arts at CQAD Griffith University. Since then, Jemma has partaken in multiple volunteer and workshop opportunities and is determined to be an active artist in the Brisbane creative scene.

Experience

Nov '24 - Present

Gallery Receptionist  │ Griffith University Art Museum

Sep '24 - Present

Artist Workshop Assistant  │ Wesley Taylor Art Studios

Aug '24 - Present

Artwork Installation Staff │ Woolloongabba Art Gallery

Feb '23 - Mar '23

Volunteer Manager │ Tablelands Youth Art Festival

Jan '22 - Jul '22

Visual Artist Assistant │ Azalia House Studio

References

Liam Mercer, Woolloongabba Art Gallery

Gallery Manager, Employer

(044) 925-5269 liam@woolloongabbaartgallery.com

Kai Hagberg, Azalia House Studio

Business Owner, Employer

(074) 091-3003 Kaihagberg@hotmail.com

Exhibitions

Vibrant Imaginings

Atherton Old Post Office Gallery

86 Atherton Herberton Rd, Atherton Queensland 4883

27th June-22nd July 2023

Building off Jemma’s first exhibition in 2022, Vibrant Imaginings dives deep into the artist’s inner daydreams. The expanded body of works consisted of oil paintings, mixed media paintings, and sculptural pieces. Containing more complex stories, Jemma explored diverse characters emersed in unusual environments. The portrait paintings depicted beings often with inhuman characteristics. These characters embody an aura of mystery with somber expressions as if their thoughts are just out of reach.

This sense of alluring mystery draws the audience in to read more of their story. Jemma aimed to capture momentary scenes from elaborate short stories she conjured from her imaginings. Often seen completing bizarre quests, rituals or adventures. The exhibition aimed to immerse the viewer in vibrant new settings and become entangled in the intimate complexities of the character’s lives.

New Worlds

Mareeba Art Gallery

345B BYRNES Street, Mareeba Queensland 4880

1st-30th September 2022

Jemma’s first solo exhibition contained a collection of current oil, and acrylic paintings exploring imaginative peoples and places. Displaying galactic imagery and experimentation with portraiture saturated in vivid colour. Her inspiration for vibrant colour schemes is derived from the rich colours of the tropical rainforests of the Atherton Tablelands. Where she lived for several years to complete her schooling. “The energetic sounds and colorful liveliness of the tropics was always an inspiration source for my works”

The collection explored Jemma’s growing abilities with oil paints at the time. Showcasing her skill with the newly discovered medium that she has come to appreciate. The exhibition aimed to share with the community Jemma’s passion for visual arts, and explore new, imaginative worlds through painting.

Get In Touch

Instagram
Jemsart8

Email
Jemmadenigan@gmail.com

Phone
0432 484 362