Introducing Aurora Paulina Kay: Unveiling a World of Colour and Emotion at KAB Gallery
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Kerry-Anne Blanket - 06/05/2024
Aurora Paulina Kay’s paintings are full of detail, and bursting with joy. Her distinct painting style is characterised by intricately applied layers of various colour combinations. When looking at her art you are taken to present-day scenes of some of Sydney’s most picturesque landmarks, yet visually reminded of the historical impressionist styles famed by painters such as Alfred Sisley, Claude Monet and Pierre August Renoir. She is inspired by their painting and colour application techniques. Viewers will discover a wide array of unexpected colours such as purples and crimsons woven into the grass, along with greens subtly infused into the sky. Stepping back from the piece observers will witness how these colours work in harmony to balance the compositions. She has a specially talented way of enhancing the energy of the beautiful Sydney vistas that she paints.
I have recently selected four new artworks for exhibition at my KAB Gallery Sydney gallery space. I invite you to view them now in person. All are beautifully presented in frames, ready to enjoy straight away.
A personal favourite of mine is “The Flow of Life”, illustrating a serene vantage point of the famous Spit Bridge in Mosman.
Now exhibiting at KAB Gallery
“The Flow Of Life” is a painting capturing a bridge in Mosman. I got completely fascinated by the reflections and subtle ripples underneath the bridge. The strong contrast between the noisy traffic on the bridge and the calm, serene flow beneath it with yachts softly gliding on the surface of water made me think of the life itself. For 6 days I was driving to the location setting up the easels and slowly developing the work.
The bridge was opened just over 65 years ago in 1958 to replace an already aging timber bridge, the Spit Bridge connects the North Shore and Northern Beaches areas of Sydney. Several times each day one span of the Spit Bridge lifts to let sailing boats pass underneath, making this now the only opening bridge on a major road in Sydney. The Middle Harbour bays around the Spit Bridge are beautiful, with the calm and protected beach of Clontarf right across the bay a particular favourite. I have wonderful memories of days spent in and around this area of the Middle Harbour where my now-husband Josh lived when we were first dating, and they all come flooding back when I view this amazing work.
Each artwork by Aurora, whether it be a landscape or a portrait, incorporates a narrative element. This narrative serves as a conduit connecting the artist to the subject, infusing each piece with an emotional resonance. Emotions play a pivotal role in guiding Aurora’s colour and composition choices. Before setting brush to canvas, there is a personal prerequisite for her: falling in love with the subject. For instance, an overcast, grey day evokes a sense of mellowness, tranquility, and solitude, often accompanied by a narrative of lost love and yearning for solace. Conversely, a sunny and calm day portrays tales of adventure, happiness, and liberation. Similarly, a windy day signifies movement and new beginnings, each weather condition imbuing the artwork with its unique narrative and emotional charge.
“I absolutely enjoy painting ocean scenes, riverways, lakes, ponds, practically anything that has water in it. Reflections and ripples on the surface of the water create an intricate colour and light pattern which entrances and fascinates me. Seashore is where I spend most of my work time. I spend hours just watching the colours of the ocean change at different times of the day and in different seasons.”
Aurora was formally trained at Julian Ashton Art School and continues to sharpen her sword [brush] in the Studio of contemporary artist Ross F Harvey. He is a brilliant landscape and portrait painter with a primary focus on realistic still life paintings. She tells me that he is a source of encouragement with her creative colour application, and supports her search for self-expression through this.
Notably in 2017 she received the prestigious and highly competitive Sir William Dobell Scholarship. She has an impressive list of awards and achievements within the Australian and American art prize scene. Just a few are listed below:
- 2023 Finalist of the Hunters Hill Art Prize, Australia
- 2022 Winner of Story Monsters Book Award for book illustration, USA. Published in Germany and Australia.
- 2020 Award of Excellence New Jersey Livingston Art Association, USA
- 2019 Award of Excellence New Jersey Livingston Art Association, USA
- 2018 Finalist of Hunters Hill Art Prize, Australia
- 2016 Winner of the Henry Gibbons Art Prize, Australia
- 2015 Finalist of the Manning Art Prize, Australia
- 2013 Winner of the Phillip Muskett Art Prize for Landscape, Australia
- 2013 Winner of The Jocelyn Maughan Drapery Prize, Australia
View Aurora Paulina Kay’s original paintings in person at KAB Gallery, or scroll down below to select your favourite. Each piece has been created to be loved and enjoyed, evoking your past memories or creating new memories. We welcome you to start or fine-tune your art collection with her paintings. They are exquisite and will add an impressive touch to any interior.
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Kerry-Anne Blanket
Director & Curator - KAB Gallery
KAB Gallery’s Kerry-Anne Blanket holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts and two Masters degrees (Hons) from the University of Sydney. With an extensive career in art education along with the management of museums and investment art galleries, Kerry-Anne can offer premier art consulting to her clients and source specially requested works.
She has a keen eye for detail, comprehensive art market knowledge and a love of all things beautiful. Kerry-Anne works directly with artists and collectors alike to curate interesting and eclectic exhibitions.
