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About
"Surrounded by nature, during times of solitude, when busy life quietens down and time stands still I feel connected...I am home. I look at the birds' eyes and I see souls; I look at the plants and I see the personalities. It is no longer about "human-me" and nature - the line between us disappears and we blend into "Us". Here, everybody and everything has its place and purpose and our nature is celebrated" Darina Denali'' Darina Denali is an award-winning artist born in the Czech Republic. After graduating from the “Private School of Art and Design in Prague”, her curiosity and desire for adventure led her to live in various parts of the world before settling permanently in New Zealand in 2010. |
Darina lives with her husband and their two young sons, surrounded by the ocean, native bush, and abundant birdlife.
Being part of this moving and breathing ecosystem is a never-ending source of inspiration for her work. Waking up to the fresh smell of the ocean and the bright colors of nature brings Darina a feeling of happiness that has been translated into her paintings for over a decade.
Darina's art is an ever-evolving journey depicting the interconnection between humans, animals, and the natural world. It explores the many ways the tale could be told, blurring the lines between figurative form, fauna and flora, reality and dream, realism and abstraction.
Darina is a passionate animal lover and accepts several animal portrait commissions every year. She aims to capture and portray their personalities in the most vivid colors.
Through the years, she has mastered many art techniques, working with watercolors, acrylics, and oils.
Darina's current mixed media work merges the playfulness and expressiveness of watercolors with the fine, realistic details of oil paint.
Darina’s artwork can be found in selected galleries throughout the country. She has exhibited her art in numerous Group Exhibitions and Solo Shows, and her paintings are held in private collections in New Zealand and worldwide.
Being part of this moving and breathing ecosystem is a never-ending source of inspiration for her work. Waking up to the fresh smell of the ocean and the bright colors of nature brings Darina a feeling of happiness that has been translated into her paintings for over a decade.
Darina's art is an ever-evolving journey depicting the interconnection between humans, animals, and the natural world. It explores the many ways the tale could be told, blurring the lines between figurative form, fauna and flora, reality and dream, realism and abstraction.
Darina is a passionate animal lover and accepts several animal portrait commissions every year. She aims to capture and portray their personalities in the most vivid colors.
Through the years, she has mastered many art techniques, working with watercolors, acrylics, and oils.
Darina's current mixed media work merges the playfulness and expressiveness of watercolors with the fine, realistic details of oil paint.
Darina’s artwork can be found in selected galleries throughout the country. She has exhibited her art in numerous Group Exhibitions and Solo Shows, and her paintings are held in private collections in New Zealand and worldwide.
Galleries:
- Helena Bay Gallery, 1392 Old Russell Road, RD 4 Hikurangi NZ
- South Sea Art Gallery, York Street, Russell, NZ
- Next Door Gallery , Birkenhead, Auckland NZ
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 Competitions
2022 - December - "Secret Garden" Solo Exhibition, South Sea Art Gallery, Russell NZ
2023 - July- "Embracing Matariki" Group Show, South Sea Art Gallery, Russell NZ
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