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Ksenia Kirkbride was born in 1981 in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, then part of the USSR. Raised in a multicultural and multilingual environment.
From an early age, she showed an interest in art, particularly enjoying working with clay and plasticine. Her father, a jack-of-all-trades, instilled in her a love for crafting and taught her many artisanal skills. Their home was filled with numerous items that Ksenia “improved” with her own hands — from walls to simple cutting boards for vegetables. Ksenia’s first paid job was as a “doll artist” at the local theater, where she was able to showcase her talents and creativity. For many years, art and crafting remained a passion known only to a close circle of friends. She often painted gifts or worked on commissions, but the dream of a professional career in art was always with her. Ksenia long dreamed of enrolling at the Institute des Beaux-Arts in Paris, but she realised her dream in Sydney, where she graduated from the National Art School. This experience became an important milestone in her life and career. |
Today, Ksenia is a mother of three children, which is also reflected in her work. She continues to develop her unique style, blending tradition and modern trends, and inspires those around her with her art.
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Ksenia's Artworks
Bonding
A$2,300.00
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$2,300.00
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$900.00
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$900.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
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$900.00
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$2,600.00
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$900.00
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$900.00
by Ksenia Kirkbride
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.
