Interview

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“Growing up on an Australian bush property, I developed a strong connection to the natural world from an early age. The tiny plants that emerged after rain, the scent of the soil, and the sunsets over the gum trees created a profound sense of belonging to the land, which continues to propel my focus on the beauty of the natural world as the central theme of my practice. As a young adult I undertook a Visual Arts Degree and a Degree in Architecture, and pursed a successful career in Urban Design in Sydney. As an adult, I’ve travelled to remote wilderness areas, seeking out breathtaking landscapes across Australia’s coastline, desert, and bush, as well as across South-East Asia. Currently, I am working on an extended collection of seascapes, continuing my exploration of nature’s awe-inspiring beauty. Through my practice, I aim to establish a visceral connection between the viewer and the natural world, evoking feelings of serenity, beauty, peace, and renewal. Central to my work is a celebration of nature’s complexity—places shaped over eons by the forces of nature, resulting in mesmerizing patterns of intricate beauty. Each piece seeks to capture the raw energy of wild, untouched landscapes, revealing the ancient, primordial essence of the sea, land, light, and atmosphere. In particular I have taken trips into the Australian bush to paint in the open to capture the beauty, ruggedness and colour of Australian landscapes whether seascapes, landscapes or botanical studies of bush plants. I’ve travelled to remote wilderness areas, seeking out breathtaking landscapes across Australia’s coastline, desert, and bush, as well as across South-East Asia. Currently, I am working on an extended collection of seascapes, continuing my exploration of nature’s awe-inspiring beauty.”

What inspires you?

“As an Australian landscape painter, I’m inspired by the raw beauty and diversity of Australia's natural environment. The vast, sweeping deserts, the rugged coastlines, and the dense, lush forests all offer endless opportunities for exploration and expression. I’m particularly drawn to the way light interacts with the landscape - the way the golden hues of the outback at dusk or the soft mist over the mountains in the morning create moments of awe. Through my practice, I aim to establish a visceral connection between the viewer and the natural world, evoking feelings of serenity, beauty, peace, and renewal. Central to my work is a celebration of nature’s complexity - places shaped over eons by the forces of nature, resulting in mesmerizing patterns of intricate beauty. Each piece seeks to capture the raw energy of wild, untouched landscapes, revealing the ancient, primordial essence of the sea, land, light, and atmosphere. The subjects of my paintings are carefully chosen, ranging from ocean shores to dense bushland. Each scene reveals an interplay of light, colour, movement, and texture, illustrating the layered qualities of these natural places. My goal is to evoke a sense of immersion and retreat that lingers long after the viewer leaves the canvas, prompting reflection on their own connection to the natural world.
The perspective I choose places the viewer immediately within the landscape, so that they are completely immersed in it. Rather than viewing the landscape from afar as separate and distant as in traditional landscape painting, I aim to plunge the viewer deeply into the scene, entangling them within it and fostering a physical and spatial connection to the land. The emotional depth and history of the land also fuel my creativity. Australia's ancient past - its indigenous cultures, its evolving ecosystems, and its unique flora and fauna - remind me of the enduring relationship between people and the earth. This connection influences my desire to create works that capture both the physical and spiritual essence of the landscape, and to portray the land as both a witness to time and a living entity that shapes human experience.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“My work is inspired by a deep reverence for nature and its essential role in our health and happiness. In my approach to Australian landscape painting, I pursue themes of connection, identity, and transience. I aim to capture not just the physical beauty of the landscape, but the emotional and spiritual resonance it holds for individuals and communities. The Australian landscape is vast and diverse, yet often marked by a sense of isolation and harshness, and I explore how people relate to this environment - whether through reverence, struggle, or a deep-rooted sense of belonging. An underlying message in my work is the fragility of the land and the interconnectedness of nature and humanity. The Australian landscape, with its ancient geology and shifting ecosystems, serves as a powerful metaphor for the passage of time and the need to protect and preserve the environment. Through my paintings, I seek to encourage reflection on our responsibility to the land, and how deeply intertwined our identities are with the places we inhabit. Each brushstroke aims to evoke a sense of nostalgia and contemplation, urging viewers to consider their own relationship with the natural world and the urgent need for environmental awareness.”

How would you describe your work?

“I combine traditional oil painting techniques with realism at the drafting stage, alongside a focus on the recession of space and colour experimentation. This allows me to create recognizable landscapes that also incorporate expressive brushstrokes and abstracted colour. The resulting work is both instantly familiar and subtly abstract, heightening the emotional connection to the subject. My painting process involves a deep understanding of the place itself, which is achieved through intense observation of the light’s delicate play on form and surface. This exploration is informed by week-long retreats, long walks, photography, and sketches, all of which contribute to the development of larger works.”

Which artists influence you most?

“The Australian art that has influenced me most comes from the Heide Circle, particularly the works of Arthur Boyd. Boyd's emotive depictions of the Australian landscape, often blending mythology and human experience, resonate deeply with me. His ability to intertwine personal narrative with the vast, often harsh Australian environment speaks to a deeper connection to place. Boyd’s raw exploration of themes like love, violence, and nature continues to inspire me in how art can capture not just what we see, but the profound emotions and stories that reside within the landscape and the human condition.”

“I combine traditional oil painting techniques with realism at the drafting stage, alongside a focus on the recession of space and colour experimentation.”

What is your creative process like?

“I combine traditional oil painting techniques with realism at the drafting stage, alongside a focus on the recession of space and colour experimentation. This allows me to create recognizable landscapes that also incorporate expressive brushstrokes and abstracted colour. The resulting work is both instantly familiar and subtly abstract, heightening the emotional connection to the subject. The complexity of my compositions, the interplay of colour, and distinctive brushstrokes are intention-ally ambiguous, achieved through fractured mark-making and explosive colour. The goal is to engage the viewer in a deeply hypnotic dialogue between nature and the self - a visual journey through intricate worlds of light, shade, colour, and form. I often return for days or week-long retreats into the Australian bush or remote beaches to re-connect with nature, to drawn, watch and listen. These retreats are a core component of my practice. The paintings, drawings and photography from these trips is used to continue to deepen my artistic exploration in the studio.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“An artist's role in society has always been deeply intertwined with nature, both as a source of inspiration and as a subject of reflection. Historically, nature has been a central theme in art, from the majestic landscapes of the Romantic period to the intimate details of plant life in botanical illustrations. Artists have had the unique ability to capture nature’s beauty, complexity, and fragility, bringing attention to the environment in ways that resonate emotionally and intellectually with audiences. In today’s world, where climate change, environmental degradation, and loss of biodiversity are urgent global concerns, artists increasingly serve as environmental advocates. They have the power to raise awareness, provoke dialogue, and inspire action by highlighting nature’s importance and its vulnerability. Through visual art, performance, and even eco-friendly art practices, artists can communicate the urgency of protecting the natural world, creating pieces that challenge society’s disconnect from the environment. Looking ahead, the role of the artist in relation to nature will likely expand as environmental issues become more pressing. Artists will likely explore new technologies, sustainable materials, and collaborative efforts with scientists and environmentalists to create works that not only reflect nature’s beauty but also directly contribute to preserving it. In this way, art may become a bridge between ecological awareness and tangible change.”

Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?

“My exhibitions include: Brunswick Art Gallery Group Exhibition, Winter light, 2025; Gallery Alchemy, Palette Project Prize Group Exhibition, 2025 and Greenway Art Prize, 2024.”

Website: www.nonirukerartist.au

Instagram: @nonirukerartist

Brush Bio: www.brush.bio/noni-ruker-artist