Living amongst the temperate forests of Corhanwarrabul / Dandenong Ranges, Emma has built her art practice in collaboration with the forest – observational drawings are reduced to geometric shapes and patterns about healthy ecologies, sustainability and resilience. Using renewable materials inspired by old cultures and their relationship to the land is a constant theme. We are bound together through our biology, community and caring for country.
Emma uses washes of watercolour to build up layers of tone, and patterns emerge from intricate shapes painted in gouache. Despite the existence of mathematical patterns and rules in the natural world, organisms rarely grow in an ordered or perfect way. There’s beauty in imperfection.
Recently she has been experimenting with earth pigments and frottage techniques taking impressions of the devastation caused by the storm event of June 2021. Like gentle movements in the landscape, the focus is on the ethereal, the unseen – what we feel, and what we breathe, highlighting the importance of clean air.
Forging a path of her own as a self-represented artist, Emma has created a unique gallery and studio in Olinda Village designed to make viewing and purchasing artwork a warm and inspiring experience, featuring not only Emma’s original paintings and archival prints, but also cards and textiles made in Australia, handmade Japanese stationery, vintage ceramics, and books. Emma believes art should be accessible to everyone, and warmly welcomes diverse audiences of all ages and abilities into her space, where you can talk to her about her materials and processes and view her work in progress.
Emma’s work is held in local, interstate and international collections and has a growing number of collectors who regularly purchase her work. Emma participated in the Dandenong Ranges Open Studios for four consecutive years, winning the People’s Choice Award twice, and runner up twice. She is the 2023 winner of the People's Choice Award for the Burrinja Climate Change Biennale with her painting 'Future Fighters'.
Emma is extending her practise to explore sculptural works following on from two recent commissions from Parks Victoria for large scale public artworks and several private commissions.
In 2022 she developed a community project to support locals in recovery after the devastating storm of 2021. She has painted six large portraits of impacted residents and volunteer first responders on timber salvaged from fallen trees, and worked with other local artists to run creative workshops at Emma Jennings Gallery hosting 170 residents who painted their own stories on small blocks of salvaged wood. The project is currently on display at the Yarra Ranges Regional Musuem in Lilydale until September 8, 2024. You can see more about the Stories of Giants project here.
SOLD
SOLD
Watercolour and Gouache on Japanese paper SOLD
Currently on display at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum until September 8
Currently on display at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum until September 8
Currently on display at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum until September 8
Currently on display at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum until September 8
Currently on display at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum until September 8
Currently on display at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum until September 8
Watercolour and gouache on Japanese paper and toilet paper. 200cm x 65cm Currently on display at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum until September 8 - prints available at Emma Jennings Gallery
Monoprint, watercolour and gouache on paper
Watercolour and Gouache on Japanese paper SOLD
Watercolour and Gouache on Japanese paper SOLD
Watercolour and Gouache on Japanese paper SOLD
Gouache on Japanese paper 32 x 15cm each SOLD
Watercolour and gouache on handmade Japanese paper SOLD
Oil and acrylic on Australian ecoply board 200 x 75cm Burrinja Climate Change Biennale December 3 2022
Watercolour and gouache on handmade Japanese paper 31 x 23cm
Watercolour and gouache on handmade Japanese paper 31 x 23cm SOLD
Watercolour on handmade Japanese paper Framed 111 x 61cm
Acrylic on ecoply board Framed 124 x 84cm
Acrylic on eco ply boards 1m x 4m SOLD
Oil and acrylic on Australian Hoopine board 195 x 80cm SOLD
Oil and acrylic on Australian Hoopine board 195 x 80cm SOLD
Gouache on handmade Nepalese paper Framed 89 x 62cm SOLD
Watercolour, goauche, charcoal and oil pastel on Japanese paper Framed 63 x 63cm
Mixed media on Japanese bamboo paper Unframed 54 x 28cm
Watercolour, goauche and oil pastel on Japanese paper SOLD
Watercolour, goauche and oil pastel on Japanese paper Framed 124 x 57cm
Charcoal, earth pigment and gouache on handmade Japanese paper 63.5 x 28cm
Watercolour on Japanese bamboo paper
Watercolour and gouache on handmade Japanese paper SOLD
Watercolour and gouache on handmade Japanese paper 55.5 x 109cm
Gouache on handmade Japanese unryushi paper and canvas 180cm x 61cm SOLD
Watercolour and gouache on handmade Japanese paper Framed 46 x 24cm
Watercolour and gouache on handmade Japanese paper Framed 46 x 24cm
Oil on handmade Japanese paper on board 40 x 20cm Not For Sale
Watercolour and gouache on handmade Japanese paper
Watercolour and gouache on handmade Japanese paper 74 x 217cm