Kyarna Holloway

Local Contemporary Art Prize 2026 – Finalist

Image courtesy of the artist.

Kyarna Holloway | Aqua aura | 2024 | ink drawing on paper | 107 x 136cm (framed)

My work explores stillness, memory and the quiet power found in nature. Working in fine ink on paper, I am drawn to slow, deliberate mark–making, a process that brings patience and contentment. Each line is intentional, allowing form and emotion to emerge gently.

Aqua Aura is a study of respect. The humpback whale, rendered in intricate ink detail, becomes both subject and symbol, majestic, ancient and ever moving. Its migration speaks of instinct, endurance, and an unbroken relationship with the ocean that has existed long before us. In drawing this whale, I was thinking about distance untravelled, unseen currents, and the quiet intelligence of the natural world.

This work reflects my concern for the fragility of our oceans. The whale’s presence feels both powerful and vulnerable, a reminder that these vast environments require care and respect. Through fine detail and restrained simplicity, I hope to invite the viewer to slow down, to look closely, and to reconnect with the beauty and responsibility held within our shared oceans.