Jenny Dolezel

Jenny Dolezel was born in Auckland in 1964 and gained a BFA at Auckland University in 1987. She is expert in drawing, printmaking and painting. Her distinctive vision is conveyed equally convincingly in all three media. Typically Dolezel may portray Punch and Judy, clowns, toys, imps and furry, hairy creatures done in a childlike style in kindergarten colours. The colours make the paintings bright and attractive; the funny forms make one smile, but after a moment or two the merriment tuns to menace. These are not twee, kitchy creations; rather they illustrate the darker side of Punch and Judy, a threat within the theatricals. To the artist these characters are not caricatures but are the way she sees people ? their inner, secret selves. Dolezel's work is found in many private and most public collections in New Zealand and she has also exhibited extensively overseas.