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Darina Denali is an award-winning artist who lives in Russell, in the Bay of Islands. Originally from the Czech Republic, she graduated with Honours from the “Private School of Art and Design in Prague”. Her desire for adventure led her to live in various parts of the world before settling permanently in Russell. |
Darina is constantly inspired by living in New Zealand. It's a far-cry from her childhood in the Czech Republic, where she grew up in a block of flats in the city with little interest in natural world. Now, surrounded by ocean and native bush, she has a strong connection with nature and animals. She understands how important it is to treasure and care for them.
Darina’s derived great pleasure in painting all kind of animals including wildlife, farm animals and pets, in addition to portraits of people.
Darina’s derived great pleasure in painting all kind of animals including wildlife, farm animals and pets, in addition to portraits of people.
Through the years Darina has mastered many art techniques, working mainly with oil and acrylic paint. Lately, with her new role of being mother, she has re-discovered her love of watercolours. She enjoys this very unpredictable technique, which allows her to be creative in an expressive and playful way using the most vivid colours.
Darina’s artwork can be found in selected galleries throughout the country and is exhibited in various group shows as well as solo shows. She has undertaken many commissioned pieces and her paintings are held in private collections in New Zealand, Canada, the USA, Australia, Japan, the UK, Cyprus, Switzerland, Iceland, the Czech Republic and elsewhere.
Darina’s artwork can be found in selected galleries throughout the country and is exhibited in various group shows as well as solo shows. She has undertaken many commissioned pieces and her paintings are held in private collections in New Zealand, Canada, the USA, Australia, Japan, the UK, Cyprus, Switzerland, Iceland, the Czech Republic and elsewhere.
Galleries:
Awards:
- 2nd Place - Professional Oil/Acrylic category, Royal Easter Show Art Competition, Auckland NZ, 2016
- Winner of People's Popular Choice Award - Waitakere Art, Sculpture & Photography Awards, Auckland NZ, 2015
- Winner of Portrait, Figurative category - Waitakere Art, Sculpture & Photography Awards 2015
- 1rst Place - Professional category, Resene Mural Masterpieces Competition 2014
Exhibitions:
2011 - September - Exhibited at “The 2012 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards” (Whanganui)
2012 - April - “Figuratively Speaking “ Group exhibition, Artists Den and Art Gallery (Auckland)
2012 - May - Exhibited at “Original Art Sale” (Auckland)
2012 - May - “Natures Best “ Group exhibition, Artists Den and Art Gallery (Auckland)
2012 - July - “3 2 1 Works On Paper ” Group exhibition, Letham Gallery (Auckland)
2012 - August - “People Choice “ finalist, Artists Den and Art Gallery (Auckland)
2012 - September - Exhibited at “The 2012 Whanganui National Art Exhibition and Awards” (Whanganui)
2012 - October - “Rocket Pockets” Group exhibition (Dunedin)
2012 - November - “Ocean Stories” Solo exhibition, Artists Den and Art Gallery (Auckland)
2012 - January - “ Kiwiana “ Group exhibition, Artists Den and Art Gallery (Auckland)
2013 - February - Group exhibition, Ipipiri Art Gallery (Paihia)
2013 - November - Exhibited at “BDO Art Award”, Finalist
2013 - November - “Birds of the Paradise “ Solo exhibition, South Sea Art Gallery (Russell)
2014 - January - Published in “Antennae of Inspiration” Art book by “Out of Step Books”
2014 - February - Mural painting during Ocean & Orchard Wine & Food Festival
2014 - March - Ocean Artists Society member's show, ADEX Asia Dive Expo in Singapore
2014 - April - Kokorareka Art Exhibition at Haratu, Russell, NZ
2014 - September - Selected for “The Art Sale” Claudelands Events Centre, Hamilton
2014 - October - Painting "Share the Same Breath" selected for Waitakere Trusts Art & Sculpture Awards Exhibition
2015 - July - "Matariki Celebration" group exhibition in Jetsom Artspace, Keri Keri
2015 - October - "Belonging" exhibited at Waitakere Trusts Art & Sculpture Awards Exhibition, Auckland
2015 - October - "Art Exhibition at Haratu Kororareka", Group exhibition, (Russell)
2016 - March - "Abundant Season" exhibited at "Royal Easter Show Art Comeptition
Press:
- Channel Magazine for the North Shore February 2012 Issue 18
- Northern Advocate, The NZ Herald, ”Czech Out Paihia’s New Mural” , December 31,2013
- January 2014- Published in “Antennae of Inspiration” Art book by “Out of Step Books”
- The New Zealand Artist Magazine, November 2014 Issue 6
- X-RAY MAG, International Dive Magazine, October 2017