Jennifer Harmes
PAINTINGS
“Flowers are very powerful tokens of heartfelt emotion and evoke strong memories from the past. They are associated with key moments in our lives, commemorating birthdays, weddings, funerals, along with many other events and are also the time-honoured gift between old friends and new. Flowers invite us to slow down and live in the moment, and makes us look at nature, relationships and ourselves in a new way. And even more so now, with the changes and challenges we face in the current world we live.
In my paintings, the contrast of the sumptuous blooms against the dark backgrounds from which they emerge, further accentuates the impact and drama of the flower, drawing in the viewer. This gives an extra sensuality to the work which has been influenced by a combination of 17th century Dutch still life painting and a modern artists such as Georgia O'Keeffe.” - Jennifer Harmes
Having previously painted in watercolours and traditional oils, Jennifer Harmes started experimenting with alkyd oils and developed a style of painting using layers of transparent colour. With this delicate and time-consuming process, she is able to achieve incredible depth, detail and vibrancy to her paintings.
Born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, Jennifer was accepted into Northwest Nazarene University, Idaho, USA with several scholarships, to study for a Bachelor of Arts Degree. After returning to New Zealand, Jennifer continued her studies in graphic design at Auckland Technical University and established a successful career as a graphic designer. She worked as an art director and stylist for 13 years, before changing her focus to painting fulltime in 2000, successfully selling work through exhibitions and commissions which are now held in private collections in New Zealand, Australia, the UK and the USA. A change in personal circumstances in 2005 saw Jennifer return to graphic design, leading her to work in London in 2007. She resumed painting in 2020 from her home studio near St. Albans, Hertfordshire.
EXHIBITIONS & GALLERY REPRESENTATION
2022 Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Mall Galleries, London
2022 Thompson's Galleries, Harpenden, UK
2021 Gallery selection, Panter & Hall, London, UK
2005 Joint exhibition with Tim Wilson, Fishers Fine Arts, Auckland, New Zealand
2004 New Years Exhibition - selected artists, Fishers Fine Arts, Auckland, New Zealand
2003 Bloom - solo exhibition, Te Tuhi - The Mark, Manukau City, New Zealand
2002 Joint Exhibition with Anna Palmer, Flagstaff Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand
2001 Joint exhibition with Alan Bond, Flagstaff Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand
2001 Gallery selection, Flagstaff Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand
2001 Matters Of The Heart - selected artists, Morgan St Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand
2000 Christmas Selection - selected artists, Morgan St Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand