Bio
Jana Branca is a New Zealand artist originally from South Africa and now based in Taranaki. Jana specialises in oil portraits. For Jana, portrait painting is a vehicle through which to visually process aspects of the “human condition.” Themes in her work include the frustrating boundaries and restrictions we contend with in daily life, and her own deep conviction of the intrinsic value of humankind.
When she paints, Jana is drawn to the tension of creating an impression of someone, whilst celebrating the mediums used as the “fabric” of that impression—the paint, the brush, and the canvas or board. By revealing not only the physical materials with which the work is made but also the hand which created it, she hopes to achieve an honesty and sense of authenticity. Her painting process involves building the picture plane with brush or knife strokes, whilst leaving parts of the canvas undeveloped, emulating the effect that the progression of time has on our character. She aims to enable the viewer to trace her brush, offering them a window into the past whilst illuminating the obscurity of time. Her constructional process further alludes to how situations and moments in life might influence, build and shape us, rendering us all perpetual “works in progress”.
Jana completed a BA(Fine Art) in South Africa at the University of Pretoria. Growing up, she enjoyed ample opportunity to travel with her family and, having lived on three continents, Jana developed strong cultural competency and an ability to adapt. Relocating with her husband and two boys to New Zealand in 2016 meant yet another new environment. Through this experience, Jana came to see the common denominator of our humanity—as the “crown of creation,” more fundamental than any of our differences. This understanding prompted the current direction of her work.
Recently, Jana has become intrigued by different world-views and how, as guides, they direct our understanding of truth, meaning, reality, and ultimately our attempts to make sense of the world around us. She is also inspired by the relational capacity of humankind. Deciphering non-verbal cues from each other is part of our daily functioning; by using her subjects’ names or nicknames as the title of some works, Jana invites the viewer to engage with them as individuals.
Jana’s work has been recognised and exhibited by art institutions such as the Pretoria Arts Association, Sasol New Signatures, and the Ekurhuleni Mnyele Fine art awards. More recently, she has been a finalist in New Zealand contemporary art awards such as the Tasman National Art Awards, where she won the ‘People’s Choice’ award twice (2019 & 2021), as well as the Supreme art award in 2022. Jana was selected as a finalist at the Adam Portraiture Awards (2020 and 2022) hosted by the NZ Portrait Gallery in Wellington, and won the Committee's Choice award at the Taranaki National Art Awards in 2020. Her fine art portrait painting is held in private collections across the country and she is available for commissions.