"I never know where my work is going, so it's entirely open to interpretation. I hope people see a balanced mess." Jade Whelan

Life in Colour

Nov 3

Written By GoLive

The exciting Canberra / Ngunnawal Country-based artist Jade Whelan is part of our upcoming group show, *Life in Colour*.

We are so excited to welcome the brilliant Jade Whelan for our upcoming group show, Life in Colour.

The show brings together more than 30 incredible artists from all over the country for a joyous celebration of vibrant colour.

Please register now to join us on Saturday 16 November from 1pm as we celebrate this superb show in the company of the amazing artists involved. Put your name down for this FREE event here, and pop your contact details on the mailing list to get early pre-sales access.

Jade is an emerging artist based in Canberra/Ngunnawal Country. Her lovely vibrant work is heavily influenced by abstract expressionism and defined by the language of colour and how it interplays with her emotions.

She has been a finalist in multiple art prizes, including the Blacktown City Art Prize (2024), Fisher's Ghost Art Award (2023) and the Toowoomba Gallery's Next Big Thing (2024).

We are so thrilled to welcome two of her outstanding works into Tyger for Life in Colour - I'm listening because I want to and Go get your groove on.

Ahead of the show opening, Jade told us about letting feelings and music guide her work, being inspired by colour, and never knowing where her work is going.

Where do you create your work?

"I always work near a window when it's light out. My beautiful garden allows me to draw from the natural world and find forms, repetition and gestures."

How do you create your work?

"I rarely go into a painting with a plan. It's always spontaneous and automated. I let my feelings and music guide me rather than conscious thought."

Tell us about the two works in Life in Colour

"[I'm Listening Because I Want To] is inspired by glass vases, knick-knacks, golden sunlight and forgotten things. A thick yellow line began this painting. [Go Get Your Groove On] is inspired by bountiful flowers, hot summer days, fruit markets and the tropics. A light-blue curve began this painting."

What inspires you?

"Colour is my number one inspiration. The way it evokes emotions. I love experimenting with different colour combinations and seeing how my feelings translate that day."

What do you hope people feel when they see your work?

"I find it hard to put my emotions into words – painting is an outlet. I never know where my work is going, so it's entirely open to interpretation. I hope people see a balanced mess."