Nell Symonds has spent much of her life immersed in the Australian landscape, since her upbringing in small WA townships and current residence in Mandurah, on Perth’s south coast. Her time in the bushland, sighting the distinct environmental elements and remarkable flora, has greatly influenced and informed her works, the style and execution of which was developed uniquely over a number of years.

Initially taking art classes during her secondary schooling, Nell did not consider the visual arts a professional pursuit until her adulthood, when she adopted a primarily self-taught approach. Whilst travelling abroad in her 20s, she drew still life images and portraiture in a combination of charcoal and graphite, as a means to document her journeying. She eventually established an interest in the integration of oils and began learning the technical aspects of their usage and depicting her works in this alternate medium. Later finding herself struggling to produce artistically satisfying works, she took the advice of acclaimed West Australian artist Anya Brock, who encouraged her to paint subjects that resonate at the soul level.

Quickly inspired to paint green pears on top of a darkened backdrop, this concept was the product of Nell consciously observing the fruits in a bowl lit by downlights, against the dark blue of her kitchen wall. As she discovered her attraction to the contrasting colour structure and evidentiary shapes and shadows of this seemingly simple subject, her signature still life series was born. In an effort to extend upon these concepts, she has progressed into the depiction of landscape imagery, successfully characterising the contrast of light and shade within a wider scope. Australian artists David Moore and Clifford How have been frequent influences over her works, due to what she perceives as their inherent ability to convey the expression and stillness of their subjects and scapes.

Nell has been a finalist in a number of local and interstate art awards, including 2022’s National Emerging Art Prize and Lethbridge 20000. Additionally, she has participated at the Affordable Art Fair and in several group exhibitions within Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.