And besides you breathe differently down here

I work from created and found photographs and film stills, and I captured this image from a film still of the unofficial film clip for the Odesza song "Sun Models ft. Madelyn Grant" - one of my favourite songs to listen to in the studio whilst painting. I wanted to capture the youthful and freeing feeling with colour and movement as the surfer girl duck dives under the surface in the swell and bubbles. To do this I've used contrasting colours in teal and magenta along with the cool greens and ocean blues of the background. In this rectangular composition of an underwater world, the light highlights her head as she rises to the surface. I have developed my style using contemporary art techniques such as expressionism and pop art.
Named after a line in Adrienne Rich's poem ‘Diving into the Wreck’ where Rich is said to have used the prose as a metaphor for equality - she is both mermaid and merman under the water. Nothing quite as liberating as seeing a young woman take on the sea - in my view a courageous and exhilarating passion suited to the fiercest and most open heart.
In this painting I've used professional quality artist acrylics and mediums. The professionally stretched canvas is fitted with a wire and two D rings and is ready to hang. I recommend to hang the painting directly to the wall on the D-rings or to a minimum of two hooks to the wire.

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Kerry Inkster is a distinguished visual artist celebrated for her profound exploration of women’s stories and experiences through mixed media. Her mission is to make art for quiet women who've been told to be smaller, so they can remember they have something powerful and valuable to offer the world. At the heart of her artistic practice lies an unwavering commitment to amplifying narratives that reflect the depth, complexity, and resilience inherent in womanhood.

Through her underwater photography, Inkster captures the transformative relationship between women and water—a powerful symbol of emotion, fluidity, and rebirth. Each photograph invites viewers to engage in introspection while revealing the challenges, triumphs, and intricacies that shape women's identities.

Her painting practice further delves into the complex tapestry of women's lives, utilising colour, form, and texture to embody the myriad emotions that accompany their diverse experiences. The layered canvases serve as a visual language, offering audiences a space for catharsis, inviting them to confront their relationships with themselves, femininity, power, and vulnerability.

Inkster's innovative techniques and emotive narratives foster meaningful dialogue surrounding gender and empowerment, while her commitment to community engagement includes volunteering at local galleries to nurture emerging talent.

A graduate of The South Australian School of Art / University of South Australia, Inkster has established herself as a significant figure in contemporary art, showcasing her work nationally and internationally in esteemed galleries and exhibitions, including an Artist Residency with Comebeck Ltd in Germany. A multiple award finalist, with her work housed in notable collections, she remains a pivotal voice in the art world.

Kerry Inkster currently resides in Fish Creek, Victoria, Australia, where she continues to evolve her artistic journey, dedicated to illuminating women’s voices and experiences.