Artist Zasha Skye is proof that creative talent and hard work are a winning combination.
At 23-years-old and at the beginning of her art journey, Zasha is already making her mark on the local art scene.
With a maiden solo exhibition, two Raglan Arts Weekends and a joint exhibition with Kyoko Shirai under her palette, she is now spearheading a group exhibition at The Studeo in March.
“The Studeo Collective exhibition will be a special moment for the community to see what’s happening down in Cross Street and get a feel for how a collaboratively held space can work. All the artists’ works will be represented to show the breadth of talent here.”
Zasha joined Chris Meek’s The Studeo Gallery whānau at Cross Street a year ago, working alongside nine creatives, including taxidermist Annick Faubert, oil painter Lucy Galbraith and tattooist Ambro Art.
“It’s a super supportive community here, and I think it’s a good way to make sure you’re not isolating yourself, especially as an artist. It might just be a coffee morning discussion, even if it’s on a very different topic, it definitely helps develop ideas and concepts.”
Born and bred in Raglan, Zasha’s dad is well-known Heavy Lounging muso Cameron Olsen. Now living in the Coromandel, her mum Kirsten Canelli worked as an early childhood educator in Raglan when Zasha was younger.
After being introduced to oil painting by her art teacher Kerry Aldridge at Raglan Area School, Zasha headed to Whitecliffe art school in Auckland. Unable to study oil painting at the renowned art school, she left a year later.
“It’s funny, I actually didn’t do well in painting at Whitecliffe, but I did well in all of the other areas,” she laughs.
“When I left, I said to myself – if I just paint every day, I’m just going to keep going and see what happens.”
It has been three years since she left Whitecliffe and Zasha has continued to commit to her art on the daily. And it shows in her work, which has become more complex and sophisticated.
“What is important to me as an artist is when the audience connects to my work; that’s where the magic happens, and I know it’s a successful piece. The moment the viewer can relate themselves to the painting and have an impression of the painting now in their subconscious,” she says.
She loves portraiture and her painting focuses on the female form and the intricate tonal range of skin colour. For the Raglan Arts Weekend, her work depicted women in water, but Zasha has moved the female form onto land for the March exhibition
“My Arts Weekend work was super Monet-inspired, and by the relationship of water holding memory. So, I wanted to carry that line of womanhood and take it into a different context. I’m still in the developing process but it has more of a landscape and strong empowerment feeling.”
Studeo Collective Exhibition features the artworks of Zasha Skye, Chris Meek, Karin Bettley, Annick Faubert, Lucy Galbraith, Ambro Art, India Hendrikse, Anne Paar, and Katie Lowes.
Opening night is Friday 7 March, 6pm – all welcome. Exhibition open daily from 8-22 March, 9am-2pm.
