Kiandra Buchanan is an Australian artist originally from Naarm/Melbourne, now based in Wadandi Boodja/Margaret River. With a background in multidisciplinary Fine Arts, she has gravitated towards painting, focusing on still life as a way to explore light, form, and the passage of time.
Memory and emotion intertwine in her work, creating a visual language that speaks to both the seen and the felt. Through the Alla Prima (wet-on-wet) technique, she embraces the materiality of oil paint, allowing translucent and opaque layers to interact and capture quiet moments. This approach enables an immediate response to the subject, revealing the subtle beauty found in overlooked objects and everyday scenes.
Her still life compositions favour open arrangements illuminated by soft, shifting light. A muted palette and delicate textures create a sense of quiet contemplation, inviting the viewer to engage with the intimacy of the ordinary. Her work is an ongoing exploration of presence and perception, constantly evolving as she paints how it feels.
Buchanan’s work has been exhibited in group shows both locally and nationally, with recognition in Inside Out Magazine’s Affordable Art Guide and The Design Files, where she was highlighted as a promising new voice in Australian art.
For the Margaret River Region Open Studios event, she is excited to share new works that continue this exploration, offering a glimpse into her process and the inspirations that shape her practice.