Saren Dobkins
Originally from Zambia
Lives & works in Tewantin, QLD, Australia
During her painting career which spans nearly 30 years, Saren has been committed to exploring an oeuvre that explores human dilemmas, interactions and desires. She has traveled extensively all her life, having lived in Zambia, Scotland, Israel and Australia which has given her an open, curious and empathetic perspective that is reflected in her work. As a mother, this has provided her with a tenacity and patience to pursue her passion as well as create meaningful, tender and powerful imagery that evokes the bonds and tensions of this and other close relationships. Saren has pursued many different avenues of study, from the Arts to Design, Multimedia, Social Studies and Permaculture. These varying avenues of thought and literature have fed into her content, lending her work a highly contemporary and intellectual framework into which she weaves a personal commentary. Her work can be interpreted from a narrative perspective that is expressive and philosophical.
Of late, her direction has evolved towards exploring the transformational effects of practicing mindfulness. This has opened many new avenues of research and practical application to guide her towards a life that can be lived more fully and in doing so, add a deeper and more meaningful layer to the work.
A contemporary Australian painter, her work also suggests that she was influenced by the myriad of visual inputs and experiences that she was exposed to as a child. The evocative power of a bold use of colour, strong dramatic forms, a sculptural weight to objects and the representation of the figure to express the “story” are some examples.
Collection of Paintings
View my CV
Exhibitions
2019 - Unlearning, UQ Art Museum, Brisbane
2018 - Raising the Bar, Melbourne
2014 - As Within, So Without. Melbourne
2013 - Celebration, Melbourne
2012 - A Moment of Insight, Melbourne
2011 - Studio Show 2011, Melbourne
2011 - The Collector's Exhibition, Melbourne
2011 - A Sketchbook Project, New York
2011 - Studio Show, Melbourne
2010 - Place and Belonging-Women's Salon 2010 - Counihan Gallery Melbourne
2009 - CUSP Geelong Grammar School, Corio
2008 - Cafe FM Artist's studio, Melbourne
2008 - Art Melbourne '08, Melbourne
2008 - Portrait '08 Group Show, Melbourne
2007 - Canterbury Art Show. Melbourne
2006 - Canterbury Art Show Melbourne
2005 - On Reflection Gallery 314, Melbourne
2005 - Paintings Artholes Gallery, Melbourne
2004 - Port Phillip Art Show, Melbourne
2004 - Paintings Artholes Gallery,Melbourne
2004 - Canterbury Art Show, Melbourne
2002 - Observations & Reflections, Melbourne
2000 - Laverty Art Gallery, Brisbane
2000 - The Archibelle 2000, Brisbane
1999 - Quisqualis ArtSpace, Brisbane
1998 - An Eclectic Collection, Brisbane
1998 - Brisbane City Gallery, Brisbane
1998 - Ocular Smith & Smith, Brisbane
1998 - Impact Institute of Modern Art Brisbane
1997 - City Gallery, Adelaide
1997 - QuisQualis ArtSpace, Brisbane
1997 - Palace Gallery, Brisbane
1997 - Odelesque Gallery, Brisbane
1997 - Sheraton Mirage Resorts, Gold Coast
1996 - Seccumb ArtSpace, Brisbane
1996 - Drawings Metro Arts, Brisbane
1996 - Bauhaus Gallery, Brisbane
1995 - Qld College of Arts Gallery Brisbane
1993 - Metro Art Gallery, Brisbane
1989 - Wholefoods Gallery, Geelong
1989 - Shoulder to Shoulder Traveling Australia
1989 - ArtZone Gallery, Adelaide
