The Paintings of Criss Canning
Criss Canning stands as one of Australia’s most accomplished and admired still-life painters. For over five decades, she has masterfully depicted flowers, fabrics, and decorative objects in her art.
For the past 35 years, Criss has resided in a picturesque 1860s farmhouse, complete with flourishing gardens, at Lambley, a renowned nursery near Ballarat. Her husband’s passion for gardens and flowers provides an endless source of visual inspiration for her work. Poppies, irises, and sunflowers from the Lambley garden frequently appear in her paintings. She also explores the beauty of Australian native plants, particularly the banksia, in all its diverse forms. Criss is an avid collector of jewel-toned glassware, vases, tea sets, and vintage kimonos, all of which find their way into her art.
Featuring newly commissioned photography and insightful essays by Georgina Reid, Jenny Zimmer, Julie McLaren, and Criss Canning herself, this book seeks to capture the essence of the garden, the studio, the house, and the collections that serve as the foundation for Criss’s paintings. Photographer Eve Wilson’s work offers a unique perspective, capturing the house and garden that shape Criss Canning’s world, revealing the profound connection between art and life.
Hardback | 320 pages
Measures: 29cm x 27cm