‘Emelie’ comes to Wakefield

St John’s Church in Wakefield, often referred to as the “church on the hill,” hosted Auckland-based artist Jennifer Mason’s exhibition, Emelie, late last month.

The exhibition, featuring a series of nine oil paintings on canvas, captures the unclothed female human figure, exuding a sense of calm and serenity.

Jennifer, who created the series to portray a model at ease in a tranquil world, sought a venue that would amplify this peaceful theme. "I wanted to take her somewhere surrounded by beauty where there is a quieter pace of life, I thought where I can display these where she can feel that and those visiting the exhibition can feel the same," Jennifer says. A Google search led her to St John’s Church, which, despite the challenge of transporting nine large oil paintings, she felt was the perfect location for her work.

Each painting in the series is the result of seven layers of oil paint, applied simultaneously to ensure consistency across the pieces. Jennifer, who once pursued nursing, draws inspiration from her fascination with the human body and biology.

The exhibition’s serene stillness, combined with the church’s sacred atmosphere, created a peaceful environment where visitors could deeply engage with the artwork and experience a sense of tranquility. To explore Jennifer’s work, visit: jennifermason.org