Rhoda Kirk — Artist Bio & CV

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Artist Biography

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 Rhoda Kirk is a Western Australian artist whose work explores the human form through a practice that moves between figuration and abstraction. Her paintings are grounded in a deep commitment to life drawing and painting from live models, and she maintains a strong connection to Perth's life drawing community.

Her approach is informed by both traditional and contemporary painting techniques. She works with chiaroscuro, glazing, and sfumato to build depth and atmosphere, while also embracing the immediacy of alla prima painting and the expressive possibilities of pastel.

Rhoda's artistic development has been shaped by extensive study in Europe. She has completed multiple intensive workshops with Vincent Desiderio at the International Centre for the Study of Painting in Italy (2025, 2026), and has also studied with Robyn Ely in Adelaide (2025), Martin Campos in Italy (2024), and Carl Dobsky in Rome (2023). These experiences have deepened her engagement with the history of Western painting and strengthened her commitment to the craft of painting.

She holds an Honours Degree in Fine Art from Curtin University, Perth (2015), having previously completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the same institution (2013).

Rhoda has exhibited in group shows including Quiet Tension at Oxford Street Gallery (2026), Hale Art Exhibition (2026), Body Beautiful Art Exhibition at Atwell Gallery (2026), and Melville Open Studios (2022–2026). She was a finalist in the Melville Art Awards and the Contemporary Online Art Awards (2016), and received a Highly Commended award at the Vasse Art Award (2016). Her first solo exhibition was held at Canning Bridge Community Art Space in 2022.

Born in Scotland, Rhoda relocated to Australia in 2001. Before pursuing a career in the arts, she worked as a registered nurse and midwife. She now facilitates painting and drawing groups in Perth and continues to travel extensively to study the works of the great masters across Europe.

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CV / Selected Exhibitions

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2026​

• Quiet Tension, group exhibition, Oxford Street Gallery

• Hale Art Exhibition

• Body Beautiful Art Exhibition, Atwell Gallery

• Home Hub Open Studios, Melville

 

2025

• Melville Art Awards

• Plein Air Down Under

• Melville Open Studios, Home Hub, Applecross

 

2024

• Melville Open Studios, Home Hub, Applecross

 

2023

• Melville Open Studios, Applecross

 

2022

• Solo exhibition, Canning Bridge Community Art Space

• Body Beautiful Exhibition, Canning Bridge Community Art Space

• Melville Open Studios, Applecross

 

2016

• Melville Art Awards, Perth, WA

• Vasse Art Award Exhibition, Vasse, WA

• Cossack Art Awards, Cossack Gallery, Cossack, WA

• Online Contemporary Art Exhibition

 

2015

• Curtin Graduate Show, Curtin University, Perth, WA

 

2013

• Curtin Graduate Show, Curtin University, Perth, WA

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