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Inner Balance presents a contemplative body of work by Ksenia Kirkbride, where symbolism becomes a language for exploring the delicate equilibrium between opposing forces within the human experience. Drawing from mythology, religious traditions, and philosophical thought, the artist reflects on the unity that underlies diverse spiritual narratives across cultures and time.
Through evocative imagery, Ksenia Kirkbride navigates dualities - light and darkness, masculine and feminine, material and metaphysical - revealing them not as contradictions, but as interdependent elements of a greater whole. Her works invite the viewer into a meditative space where personal memory, archetypal symbolism, and collective consciousness intersect. In this exhibition, balance is not presented as a fixed state, but as a continuous inner process - an act of reconciliation, transformation, and self-awareness. Inner Balance becomes both a visual and emotional journey, encouraging a deeper reflection on harmony within oneself and connection to the universal rhythms that shape human existence. |
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Bonding
A$1,200.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
Oil on canvas
100 x 100 cm
2023
The painting depicts the legend of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, who were raised by a she-wolf after being abandoned as infants.
In the painting, the twin brothers are sitting on a wooden bench, one of them holding the wolf in their arms.
The wolf in the background and the babies in the foreground are painted in a transparent manner; blending together, these represent the meaning of the past that always mentally has a place in the present.
The Division
A$1,600.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
Oil on canvas
110 x 130 cm
2023
This is the one of my favourite pieces. An inspiration arrived from the "Secret doctrine" of Elena Blavatskaya. The painting captures the moment when, through divine light, Eve - who was once a part of Adam and represented the feminine aspect of his essence - separates from him, giving birth to two distinct beings. Eve first separates as a spirit and then attains physical form, which is why I depicted her as semi-transparent.
Bonds of Experience
A$700.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
Oil on canvas
61 × 51 cm
2025
"The individual history of each creative person almost always balances on the brink of illness; unlike other people, he is not inclined to heal personal wounds acquired during development through ever greater adaptation to the collective. His wounds remain open, but the suffering from them reaches depths from which another healing force arises, and this healing force is the creative process.
As the myth states, only a person who has suffered can be a healer, a doctor. Through his personal suffering, the creative person feels the serious illnesses of his collective and his time; deep within himself, he carries a regenerating force capable of healing not only himself but also society."
Erich Neumann, "The Creative Man and Transformation"
Primordial Soup
A$750.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
SOLD
Oil on canvas
66 x 51 cm
2025
Once, there was nothing but a vast expanse of formlessness. From this void, life began to emerge from the nothingness.
What Gagarine Saw
A$700.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
Oil on canvas
61 × 51 cm
2025
This work was made spontaneously, almost as a joke! I’ve always loved the history of religions since my very first university, where I studied law. The spirit I infused into the piece reflects my passion for exploring the themes of the history of changes and constants of humanity. But who knows the truth? Each of us interprets the world in our own way, making the picture of it for ourselves (and this is one of deep human needs).
Eternal Rhythm of Creation
A$1,600.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
Oil on canvas
130 x 100 cm
2024
This painting reflects on the essence of femininity and its associations throughout history. How I see it. It features a collective image of goddesses adorned with cow horns, which emerged as humanity began to cultivate the land and recognise the cycles of the moon and soil fertility. The cow horns symbolise not only the crescent moon but also the nurturing qualities of the animal that provides warmth (through its hide) and sustenance (through milk and meat).
In this work, I aimed to showcase the primordial meanings that ancient cultures, from Mesopotamia to India, attributed to the feminine figure. Through these representations of female deities, I explore the deep connections between women and the natural world, highlighting their roles as life-givers and caretakers throughout history.
Waiving Twilight Tales
A$700.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
Oil on canvas
51 x 61 cm
2025
This little piece came to life while I was diving into the fascinating world of Orthodox icon production. It's all about syncretism - the blending and adapting of one religion into another.
In this artwork, I wanted to explore how ancient solar cult traditions have been transformed and reinterpreted over time. It's amazing to see how these ideas have not only survived but also thrived in our modern context. They’ve found new meanings and ways to connect with people today, showing us that spirituality can be both timeless and adaptable.
I think about the ways different beliefs can coexist and influence each other, creating a complicated interweaving of cultural expression.
Platonic Shadows of Completeness
A$800.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
SOLD
Oil on canvas
100 x 70 cm
2023
This painting is part of a series where I explore how people understand love and relationships across different times and cultures, shaped by the values of each era, and beliefs regarding connection and companionship.
Eve's Offer
A$650.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
Oil on canvas
50 x 50 cm
2023
Eve’s offer. An alternative path for the development of humanity if Eve had offered Adam a banana instead of an apple of knowledge.
Pyrmont Art Prize - 2024 People’s Choice Award.
Blue Square
A$1,200.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
SOLD
Oil on canvas
91×122 cm
2023
I depicted the work of human imagination. Blue is my favorite color; it absorbs you and is as calming as watching water. You see a person captivated by the blue painting, and their imagination pulls them in—you're inside the painting, within the painting.
Eclipse
A$800.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
Oil on canvas
80 × 60 cm
2025
It's fascinating to see how the meanings we attach to romantic connections change over time.
Fire Shield
A$1,000.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
Oil on canvas
75 × 100 cm
2024
Reflecting on the elements, in a classical sense, artists depicted them with their symbolic signs, such as water, fire, air, and earth. However, I want to show how these elements are felt by a person. I love candles; their light brings peace and transforms the space of a home. Fire has always felt like protection to me. The large lizard embracing the woman is a salamander, a being that dwells in fire. The woman gently holds its tail with her finger.
Initial Duality
A$1,100.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
Oil on canvas
130 × 70 cm
2023
The inspiration for this painting came from my interest in the Kabbalistic perspective on the world, where the ideal human structure is represented by Adam Kadmon. This concept is also reflected in the structure of the Tree of Sefirot, where half of the Sefirot are traditionally associated with feminine energies and the other half with masculine energies. Both are essential to the ideal human prototype and form a unified whole.
Maat's Mirror
A$950.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
Oil on canvas
90 × 67 cm
2025
The Mirror of Ma'at is inspired by the Trinity of Andrei Rublev, intertwining ideas from the Judgment of Osiris, Egyptian mythology, and a return to the origins of icons as a phenomenon. In Egyptian beliefs, a person is given a soul and the potential for development to live their life in the realm of Ka. The Judgment of Osiris takes place in silence, as words merely justify dishonesty and create confusion. At this moment, the concept of Ma'at - the goddess of truth, justice, and cosmic order - is also significant. After a person departs from earthly life, their ideal soul silently reflects on their life and asks themselves questions: How did they live their life? Are they in harmony with themselves? Were they honest with themselves and others? In the silence, alone with oneself, the true truth emerges, reflecting the principles of Ma'at that require a person to live in harmony with themselves and the surrounding world.
Mother
A$1,000.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
Oil on canvas
90 × 70 cm
2024
When I began to reflect on this artwork, my thoughts were centered around my mom. To me, a mother is primarily associated with hands that are always busy doing things around you, mostly for you. ( Sometimes you might don’t like it). Otherwise, how would I have noticed it? This may only apply to my mom’s personality; I haven’t conducted a survey.
I know I could explain more, like the number of faces and children in the image, but I want to leave that open for interpretation. Each viewer sees something different in this piece, and that’s what makes it special
Red House
A$1,200.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
Oil on canvas
100 × 100 cm
2024
This painting is about a woman’s deep connection with her home. Here, I meant only myself. I have a profound bond with my living space, it feels like a part of me, affecting my health and sense of security.
River of Lights
A$950.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
Oil on canvas
100 × 80 cm
2024
This painting is inspired by a beautiful Slavic tradition that dates back to pagan times and is still celebrated in various ways across Slavic countries. It’s about Ivan Kupala Night, a celebration of water and fire. During this night, people gather around bonfires, jump over the flames, dance in circles, weave flower crowns, collect herbs, and take a dip in the water. We limited ourselves to bonfire-roasted marshmallows :)
Ivan Kupala is a folk holiday celebrated by Eastern Slavs in the summer, marking the summer solstice and the peak of nature’s beauty. Interestingly, it coincides with the Christian feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist, from which it gets its name. In Slavic languages, the name "Kupala" translates to "The Baptiser," linking it to water.
There’s an old belief among Slavs that only once a year, on Ivan Kupala Night, the mythical fern flower blooms. This flower doesn’t exist in reality, but according to legend, whoever finds it gains incredible abilities: they can understand the language of animals and see hidden treasures.
I love to observe fire, candles, and to be next to water, and the beauty of flames dancing on the surface was the main source of inspiration for the painting. There’s something a bit crazy and wonderful about it all.
Serpent's Cycle | The Path to Wisdom
A$1,200.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
Oil on canvas
100 × 100 cm
2024
This painting depicts a coiling snake made up of several bodies, symbolising the complex process of personal growth and transformation. Each fragment of the snake represents different aspects of human personality related to age - understanding of humanity, life views, trust for others human - that, unfortunately, may fade or be “killed” under the pressure of reality over time.
However, there is a bright side to this process of life: old parts die off, and in their place, new ones grow. Just as a snake sheds its skin, a person, going through trials and hardships, renews and evolves into a new self. This symbolism of spiritual growth suggests that while we lose something, we also gain new qualities and wisdom.
This painting is a reflection of the inner world; in the cycle of life, a person learns to say goodbye to the old and embrace the new, becoming more mature and aware.
Sphinx Mom
A$700.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
Oil on canvas
60 × 45 cm
2022
A metaphorical self-portrait after two back-to-back pregnancies and childbirth.
