Jane Crisp is a New Zealand artist renowned for her captivating portrayals of the natural world, particularly the flora and fauna of New Zealand yet not limited to. Born in Auckland in 1970, she relocated to the rural Waikato region in the 1990s, where the surrounding wildlife, her garden, and native bush have profoundly influenced her work.

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Largely self-taught, Crisp spent her childhood and school days immersed in art and creativity as a sanctuary from the world outside. In the late 1980’s, while searching for her place in the world, Crisp initially pursued a Graphic Design degree at Auckland Technical Institute (now known as Auckland University of Technology), but then moved into a job working with exotic fabrics and laces before transitioning to a full-time painting career. Her professional career began with her first solo exhibition in 2003, and since then she has held numerous successful solo and joint shows. Crisp’s work has earned recognition, including the James Chapman Award at the 2004 Franklin Arts Festival for her piece Ko Nga Kete Matuaranga (Three Baskets of Knowledge), which also secured second place in the People’s Choice Award, in 2008 she was featured in Denis Robinson’s book New Zealand’s Favourite Artists, Volume 2, and in 2012 she received 2nd place at the Royal New Zealand Easter Show. Over the past 13 years Jane has made a conscious choice to not partake in any further art competitions.

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Working primarily in open acrylics on canvas, with an occasional dabble in other mediums and materials, Crisp employs a meticulous painting technique of layering thin, translucent glazes to achieve detailed, vibrant images where individual feathers, fur, or textures stand out. Inspired by her passion to explore and understand our symbiotic relationship with the earth, and a touch influenced by the old masters vanitas paintings, she explores metaphysical realism rather than literal representation, viewing her subjects as personifications of the soul. These creatures embody broader themes of the human condition, environmental and collective consciousness.

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Crisp’s deep connection to earth and universal energy and her rural surroundings of native bush, her observation of visiting wildlife, and her innate practice in spiritual alchemy fuels her creativity. An admirer of artist Raymond Harris-Ching, she shares his fascination with wildlife, channelling her intuitive process into works that blend reality with imagination.

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* Read an interview with Jane by Quirky Fox Gallery here:  https://quirkyfox.co.nz/blogs/news/metaphysical-spiritual-philosophical-the-art-of-jane-crisp