The art of connecting

Jane Watters

 The work of Jennifer Keeler-Milne focuses on the beauty of nature in its many forms as she transforms blossoms, plants, clouds and marine life into objects of desire. The natural world has engaged and provided source material for the artist through direct observation however it’s not merely about recording what is seen, it’s about creating and sharing the experience of what she feels in the works.

The works on paper are intriguing and masterly in their conception and execution. Initially it may appear that white chalk or gouache has been applied onto black paper to create the images which emerge before us, however the reverse is true. Charcoal is deftly applied with control and skill so that we are deceived by the negative space which offers the viewer an alternative illusion of reality. This is evident in works such as Sea sponge taxonomy (2012) and the other large scaled drawings Wattle 2020 and Japanese Maple (Mt Wilson).

The paintings of natural forms appear from the darkest backgrounds – with subtle, subdued tones to vibrant explosions of colour - the joy in these works is palpable. The soft focus is countered with definition; delicate and precise by bringing the background into the foreground, the illusion of space is created.

Some of the forms appear to fall away into space giving the work depth and mystery -Gum blossoms (Corymbia ficifolia (2021) and Corymbia (2021) - whilst in other paintings - Wattle’s light (2010), Descending green light (2010) and Murano Light (2012) - the forms almost dissolve before us into blurs of colours creating a visual sensation with the ghostly quality of a daguerreotype. These works possess ‘another’ worldliness, whilst earlier pieces with their Turnersque skies, Night’s whisper (2003), Open air swimming (1999) and Surrender (2003), are atmospheric investigations with the sensation of mood enveloping the viewer.

Jennifer Keeler-Milne is a disciplined artist who works within parameters that suit her practice and as a result creates impressive works with strong aesthetic qualities as well as detail and precision. She paints the things that she finds visually engaging particularly Australia’s distinctive flora yet it’s the transformations of colour, texture and composition that transcend the work beyond the plane of everyday observation.

This is achieved with what appears to be a limited palette but on closer inspection you can see the layersa of colour in the background that are progressively built up to create a background of soft textures. A recent residency in Mount Wilson has provided further inspiration and allowed her to expand her vision with delicate leaves depicted in Golden maple (2022) and Maple branch (2022) and fields of saturated colour in Meadow (2022).

The English Romantic poet Keats once said that ‘beauty is truth and truth is beauty’ and the works of Jennifer Keeler-Milne embody this with sensitivity and sophistication that give her work an aesthetic dimension in which even the most commonplace transcends into an image of great beauty.

Jane Watters, Director, S.H. Ervin Gallery, September 2022