Artists Statement
From the time I began my art practise in 2000, I have been totally committed to trying to create works that celebrate humanity and remind us of the beauty of our fragile world. The recuuring issue is one of ‘identity’ and whether it be in the depiction of Australian Wildflowers or that of a portait of a friend, the search for beauty in all living things continues. My work reflects close observation of the subject and an intention to reveal it’s true character and not simply the superficial likeness. Ultimately I want my paintings to be viewed for what I create them to say- we are individuals, as is each flower and animal, and we all deserve to live to reflect that uniqueness.
Currently I work from a studio set amongst the beauty of natural bushland with Sydney Harbour as a backdrop. It is part of the Sydney Harbour Trust foreshore development and was the inspiration behind the award winning paintings of the Florence Biennale 2007.
About Nafisa Naomi
Nafisa has exhibited extensively overseas and in Australia and her most recent awards have included the Packers Prize for the Archibald 2010, the Black Swan prize for portraiture 2008, after having won the Gold Medal for Painting at the Florence Biennale from a field of 800 artists from 60 nations in Dec 2007. She has been represented as a finalist in every major art prize including the Dobell Prize for Drawing, the Blake Prize, The Kedumba Drawing Award, the Portia Geach Portait Award, amongst others.
Since beginning her art career 11 years ago, she has won over 50 awards and commendations and has been in over 100 selected group shows. Nafisa founded the national association of professional portrait artists (Portrait Artists Australia) in 2002. Having graduated with a Masters of Fine Art from the National Art School in Sydney 2008, she sees her work paying tribute to the old masters and yet is concerned with researching and exploring new forms of expression in painting. She has strong ties to several medical based charities and also gives her time to working with wildlife conservation as artist on location. She founded Animal Works (www.animalworks.com.au) with zoologist/author Dr Tammie Matson and film producer/veterinary surgeon Dr Stephen Van Mil which highlights wildlife conservation issues concerned with habitat destruction.
Nafisa was awarded the FIRST PRIZE (GOLD MEDAL) for painting in the FLORENCE BIENNALE 2007, with the work ‘Regeneration’.
Born in Mumbai, India, educated in Hong Kong and Sydney, Nafisa’s interest in the human condition is reflected strongly in her figurative works and portraits. She came first in 3 Unit Art for the Higher School Certificate and spent time studying medicine at the University of NSW, Fine Arts at Sydney University before turning to operating a successful fashion business for many years. In 1999 she applied for, and won, the Arthur Boyd Scholarship to the Julian Ashton Art School and since then has had work in almost 100 group shows with over 50 awards and commendations to her credit. She has completed her Master of Fine Art degree at the National Art School, Sydney.
Nafisa’s strength in portraiture is reflected in her work being represented in numerous portrait awards including the Portia Geach Memorial Award (2001, 2004, 2005), the Shirley Hannan Portrait Award (2000,-02, -03, -05), and was asked to judge in 2004 and again in 2006. Being one of 15 finalists in the 2002 American Society of Portrait Artists annual portrait prize at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York with the portrait of Salvatore Zofrea, and awarded a Certificate of Merit, Nafisa’s presence on the international stage continued as her portrait of Dr Karl Kruzselnicki was hung in Washington as one of the finalists in the Cromwell’s Art Prize 2004. Her 2003 Archibald entry, ‘A Woman of Substance’-portrait of entertainer Maria Venuti AM, was chosen for the Archibald Salon des Refuses. Together with numerous local portrait prizes, she won the Willoughby Art Prize with a drawing of Salvatore Zofrea (2002) and the Mosman Art Prize ‘People’s Choice’ (2003).
Nafisa was chosen as one of the Australian artists to be represented in the prestigious Florence Biennale 2005 and was awarded a Bronze Medallion for her installation of portraits of family and friends titled”101 Australians”. In December 2007, Nafisa won the 1st Prize for painting in the Florence Biennale with the mural size work titled ‘Regeneration- Beauty After the Burn’. She was also a finalist in Australia’s most important drawing award, the $20,000 acquisitive Dobell Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW in 2005 and in the Blake Prize for Religious Art in 2006 and again in 2007.
Her work is also held in many local and international private and corporate collections including the RADF 1st Commando Regiment, Country Energy BDA , Royal and Sun Alliance, Kelda Group UK, Aussie Home Loans, Hills Grammar Collection, Charles Sturt University, Sydney University, Bega Valley Regional Gallery, Mosman Council and Burwood Press amongst others.
Nafisa’s commitment to her art practise has been recognized as she was elevated to an Associate member of the Royal Art Society of New South Wales and teaches portraiture there, at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and at the Charles Sturt University. She is also a member of the Portrait Society of America and founder of Portrait Artists Australia.
Now working from her studio in Headland Park, Georges Heights in Sydney, where she spends most of her time, her interests have also included the new environment which is part of the Sydney Harbour Trust foreshore development.
BIOGRAPHY
Placed in the top 2% of NSW in HSC and receiving a scholarship to continuing full time art studies at Julian Ashton Art School under scholarship. Made an Exhibiting member of the Royal Art Society of NSW in 2000, awarded full scholarship the Alexander Mackie College of Arts having achieved 150/150 in 3-unit art, coming 1st in NSW art.
Studied Bachelor of Medicine at the University of NSW for 3 yrs before deferring and pursuing interest in Fine Arts.
1997 Part-time attendance at Julian Ashton Art School.
1998 Continuing practising as full- time artist, attending workshops etc.
1999 Continuing full time study at JAAS under Arthur Boyd Scholarship
2000 Awarded Diploma of Fine Art JAAS
2001-05 Teaching part-time at Northbridge school of Visual Arts, Summer and Winter School at Mitchell College of the Arts, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst.
2004 Elevated to ‘Associate’ of the Royal Art Society of NSW
2005 /07 Teaching portraiture at Royal Art Society of NSW
Masters of Fine Art – National Art School- Full Time
EDUCATION
2005-07 Masters of Fine Art , Full Time – National Art School, Sydney
Art in the Making-Diploma Lecture series AGNSW
2004 Workshop at National Art School- Sue Archer
2003 National Art School Sue Archer and Steve Harvey workshops.
2003 AGNSW – Diploma Lecture series- Great Art in the Making
2002 AGNSW – Diploma Lecture series on historical aspect of art and technical components.
2001 National Art School – workshops with Elizabeth Cummings.+ David Fairbairn
Julian Ashton Art School (JAAS) – etching with Tony Johhansen.
JAAS – composition and portraiture with Francis Giacco.
2000 Scholarship year completed with a Diploma of fine art – JAAS.
JAAS – portraiture with Francis Giacco.
Royal Art Society (RAS) portrait workshop with Jocelyn Maughan.
1999 Full time studies at JAAS after winning the Arthur Boyd scholarship sponsored by Toyota Lexus.
RAS – Watercolour workshop with Helen Goldsmith
2000 Part time tuition at JAAS.
1987 – 1997 Worked in Sydney with regular travel overseas including Italy and England.
1985 – 1986 Fine arts at the University of Sydney.(discontinued)
Paddington Art School – life drawing and painting with Stephen Wosley Gordon.
1981- 1984 Bachelor of Medicine at the University of New South Wales.(discontinued)
1980 Placed in top 2% of NSW in the Higher School Certificate, receiving a scholarship to Alexander Mackie o College of Arts after being placed 1st in NSW in 3 unit Art.
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2010
Archibald Prize for Portraiture- Art Gallery of New South Wales
Kedumba Drawing Award-
Black Swan, City of Perth Portrait Prize
“Little Treasures” Galleria De’ Marchi – Bologna , Italy
2010- Masters of Fine Art Graduates Show- NAS Gallery
2009
Lexus Mortimer Art Prize
Kedumba Drawing Award.
CRMI- Jeans 4 Genes Art Auction
Black Swan City of Perth Portrait Prize
2008
Lexus Mortimer Art Prize
Off The Wall –The Australian- Art Melbourne
Hunters Hill Art Prize
CMRI Jeans 4 Genes exhibition and art auction
Black Swan Prize for Portraiture
Hills Grammar Art Prize
House of Phillips Drawing Prize
2007
Hunters Hill Art Prize
Blake Art Prize
Mortimer Lexus Art Prize
Florence Biennale 2007
Hutchings Art Prize- works on paper
Extinction Denied- Humane Society International
Whyalla Art Prize
Willoughby Art Prize
Northbridge Art Prize
2006
Blake Art Prize
Hills Grammar Art Prize
Willoughby Art Prize
Mortimer Lexus Portrait Prize
Hunters Hill Art Prize
MCQ International Art Prize
Mosman Art Prize
Jeans for Genes Exhibition and Art Auction-
2005
Florence Biennale 2005, Italy
Portia Geach Memorial Prize for Portraiture
The Dobell Prize, AGNSW
The Rocks Art Prize Jeans 4 Genes Campaign- Exhibition and Auction
Hunters Hill Art Prize
Extinction Denied-Humane Society International
The Shirley Hannan National Portrait Prize
MCQ Art Prize
The Macquarie International Portrait Artists Australia Exhibition in Washington DC (Australian Embassy)
2004
Blackfriars Drawing Acquisitive Prize.
Fleming Muntz Works on Paper-Albury
Extinction Denied -Humane Society International exhibition
Portia Geach Memorial Prize for Portraiture
‘Lies’ –curated themed exhibition, New York
Cromwells Art Prize, international travelling exhibition to Washington, New York
Hills Grammar Art Prize- Finalist
Royal Art Society –“ Drawings Only.”
Royal Art Society – Spring Exhibition
Royal Art Society – Christmas Exhibition.
Jeans 4Genes ‘Music Legends’exhibition & auction-Mick Jaggers jeans for Children’s Medical Research Institute
2003
Archibald Salon des Refuses-Portrait of Maria Venuti AM .
Hills Grammar Art Prize- Finalist
Cairns Art Prize-Finalist-Portraiture
Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award-Finalist
Mosman Art Prize
Spring Exhibition-Royal Art Society of NSW
Willoughby Art Prize
Selected for ‘Jeans for Genes’ campaign, to paint on Gwyneth Paltrow’s jeans for fundraising dinner and auction.
Hazelhurst Art Prize- works on paper
2002
Autumn exhibition – Royal Art Society of NSW.
Hills Grammar Art Prize -Finalist
Contemporary Portrait – American Society of Portrait Artists.
Spring exhibition – Royal Art Society of NSW.
Selected for ‘Jeans for Genes’ campaign, theme of ‘Generations’ for the fundraising dinner and auction.
Ryde art show.
Shirley Hannen Portrait Prize.
North Sydney Art Prize.
Albury Art Prize.
Willoughby City Art Prize.
Drummoyne Art Show
Hunters Hill Art Prize
Blackheath Rhodendryn Arts Festival
Julian Ashton Teachers and Scholars Exhibition
Mosman Art Society Show
2001
North Sydney Art Prize.
Blackheath Rhodendryn Art Festival.
Bezel Art Exhibition – Mary Place Gallery.
Julian Ashton Teachers and Scholars exhibition.
Selected for ‘Jeans for Genes’ campaign, to paint Janet Jackson’s Jeans for the fundraising dinner and auction.
Mosman Art Society Show – Mosman art gallery.
Portia Geach memorial award – S.H. Ervin gallery.
Ryde art show.
Spring exhibition – Royal Art Society of NSW.
Kings Art Prize – Kings School, Parramatta.
‘The Definitive Horse Show’ – North Sydney Fine Art gallery.
Drummoyne art show.
Ryde art society exhibition
Hunters Hill art prize.
Hills Grammar Art Prize-Finalist.
Autumn exhibition – Royal Art Society of NSW
2000
Royal Art Society – Selected for hanging, Shirley Greathead Award.
Royal Easter Show .
Selected for ‘Jeans for Genes’ campaign, to paint Wayne Gardner’s Jeans for the fundraising dinner and auction.
John Balmain Portrait prize –Highly Commended.
‘Young Masters’, North Sydney fine art.
Hunters Hill Art Prize.
‘Medal of Distinction’, Royal Art Society.
Blackheath Rhodendryn Art Festival.
Ryde art society exhibition.
Drummoyne art show.
Hunters Hill art prize.
‘From the mountains to the Harbour’ exhibition North Sydney Fine Art.
‘In and out of the Garden’ exhibition North Sydney Fine Art.
Christmas Exhibition – Royal Art Society of NSW.
‘Bezel’ exhibition in conjunction with Sherman Galleries.
Julian Ashton Teachers and Scholars exhibition.
1999
Royal Easter Show.-selected for drawings & still life sections
Julian Ashton Teachers and Scholars exhibition.
Hunter Hill Art Prize.
‘Body Language’ three person show at PCL Exhibitionists.
‘Medal of Distinction’, Royal Art Society.
Jeans 4 Genes – Museum of Contemporary Art.
Royal Art Society ‘Spring’ exhibition.
Royal Art Society ‘Nudes’ exhibition.
Rocks Art Prize.
Blacktown art show.
Ryde art show.
Parramatta art show.
North Sydney Fine art, ‘All on a Summers Day’.
Glebe art show.
Alice Bale Travelling Scholarship. Coburg, Vic.
1998
Julian Ashton Teachers and Scholars exhibition
Opening Exhibition – Millennium Art Gallery.
Waverly Art Show.
‘Flowers’ exhibition – Royal Art Society of NSW.
‘Spring Exhibition’ – Royal Art Society of NSW.
Glebe art show.
The Rocks Art Show.
Mosman Art Prize.
‘Medal of Distinction’, Royal Art Society.
1997 Mosman Art Prize.
Waverly Art Prize Ryde Art show.Liverpool art sh0wsFairfield art show
AWARDS
2007
Gold Medal- First Prize for Painting Florence Biennale
Finalist Whyalla Art Prize
Highly Commended Mortimer Lexus Prize for Portraiture
Finalist Hutchins Art Prize
Finalist Willoughby Art Prize
Finalist Hills Grammar Art Prize
First Prize Northbridge Art Prize- Open Section
Finalist Blake Prize for Religious Art
2006
Finalist MCQ prize
Finalist Mosman Art Prize
Highly Commended Mortimer Lexus Prize for Portraiture
Finalist Willoughby Art Prize
Finalist Hills Grammar Art Prize
First Prize- Northbridge Art Prize – 3D Section
Finalist Blake Art Prize
2005
Finalist- MCQ Art prize
Bronze Medal- Florence Biennale- installation/mixed media. 2005
Finalist- Shirley Hannan National Portrait Prize
Finalist- Dobell Drawing Prize 2005, AGNSW
Finalist- Portia Geach Memorial Prize for Portraiture
2004
Winner – (acquired) Blackfriars Drawing Acquisitive Prize.
Finalist-Hills Grammar Art Prize(by invitation)
Finalist-Portia Geach Memorial prize for portraiture
Finalist- Fleming Muntz Art Prize- Works on paper
Finalist Cromwell Art Prize – Portrait of Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki
Highly Commended-Medal of Distinction-Spring Exhib. R.A.S. of NSW.
2003
Finalist- Salon des Refuses- 2003 with portrait of Maria Venuti AM
Winner – First Prize still life/portrait – Blackheath Arts Festival.
Highly Commended – Drawing – Blackheath Arts Festival.
Finalist- Hills Grammar Art Prize (by invitation)
Highly Commended-Cairns Art Prize- Portraiture
Second Prize- Shirley Hannan Portraiture Award- Drawing
Highly Commended- Spring Exhibition Royal Art Society
Winner- ‘People’s Choice’ – Mosman Art Prize
Finalist- Hazelhurst Art Award- works on paper
2002
Finalist – Hills Grammar Art Prize (by invitation)
Finalist – American Society of Portrait Artists ‘Contemporary Portrait’ receiving Certificate of Merit with portrait of Salvatore Zofrea.
Finalist – Shirley Hannan Portrait Prize.
Finalist – Albury Art Prize.- works on paper
First Prize – Willoughby Art Prize Drawing
First Prize – Drawing- Blackheath Arts Festival
Second Prize- Portraiture- Blackheath Arts Festival
2001
‘Best of Show’ – Barry Morris Memorial Prize – Blackheath Arts 2001 Festival
Finalist – Portia Geach Memorial Award – ‘Game of Kings.’
First Prize- Portraiture Blackheath Arts festival.
Highly Commended – drawing prize – Blackheath arts festival.
Highly Commended –‘Animal Magic’ – Macquarie University.
Highly Commended – drawing – Ryde Art Show.
Finalist – Kings Art prize.
2000
‘Peoples choice award’ Blackheath Arts Festival & Awarded First Prize for Portraiture.
Runner up of twelve finalists and ‘Peoples Choice’ award – Hills Grammar Art Prize (by invitation).
Highly Commended and two Commended. – Drummoyne Art Prize.
Highly Commended – John Balmain Portrait Prize.
1999 Highly Commended -drawing – Royal Easter Show.
Highly Commended – Medal of Distinction – Royal Art Society.
Highly Commended – Glebe Art Prize.
Highly Commended – Ryde Art Prize – Drawing.
Highly Commended – Parramatta Art Show – Still Life.
Highly Commended – Blacktown Art Show – Contemporary section.
1999
Arthur Boyd Scholarship – sponsored by Toyota Lexus for full-time attendance to Julian Ashton Art School..
Accepted as exhibiting member of the Royal Art Society
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2002 Nov 11-30 ‘A LINGERING DOUBT’ – The Arthouse Hotel, Sydney
Dec 4 – 22 ‘OBSERVATIONS’ – Vista Blue Gallery, Sydney
2004 Nov 9- 20 ‘FLORA and FAUNACATION’ – Depot Gallery,
2006 Oct 9 – 31 ‘WILD THINGS’ – Sara Roney Gallery, Sydney
GRANTS
Willoughby Council Arts Assistance to fund the exhibition-‘Flora & Faunacation’ in Sydney 2004
COLLECTIONS
Country Energy – (Blackfriars) – Works on Paper Collection
1st Commando Regiment – Royal Australian Army
Kelda Group U.K., Royal and Sun Alliance U.K.
Hills Grammar College Sydney
Charles Sturt University
John Sample Group
Welden International
Maserati Sydney
and numerous private collections in Sydney, London, New Zealand and Hong Kong.
PORTRAITS/ COMMISSIONS
Wayne Gardner (500 cc motorcycle champion) – 2000.
Honourable Peter Collins QC MP – 2000
Salvatore Zofrea (artist) – 2001.
Francis Giacco and Salvatore Zofrea (artists) – 2002.
Tara Moss (author/model) – 2002.
Adam Spencer (JJJ DJ, Mathematician) – 2002.
Maria Venuti AM ( Entertainer, Singer, Actor)- 2003.
Brad Drewetts; family – (retired tennis professional) – 2003
Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki – (Author, Radio/TV presenter) – 2004
Hugh Oliveiro – (Artist) 2004
Elizabeth Cohen-(Barrister at Law)-2004
John Hutchings- (CEO Provisual Pty Ltd)- 2004
Evert Ploeg-(Artist) 2004
Kristiana Clark – 2005 and Tobias Clark – 2005
Hon. Maurice Neil QC ( Barrister-at-Law) – 2005
Michael Pembroke (barrister at Law) and family – 2005
Shirley Hannan (Patron of the Arts and Artist)- 2006
Dr Dick Quan (patron and Contemporary Art benefactor) -2006
Ken Done (Artist) -2006
Adam Nash (nephew of artist)-2007
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
‘Knee pads needed for painting Wayne’ – Inner West Weekly, July 2000.
‘Painting Celebrity Jeans……..’ – Mary Powis, North Shore Times, May 2001.
‘Art Stars in Willoughby Festival’ – Mary Powis,North Shore Times, Sept 6, 2002
Border Mail- Albury Art Prize-Aug 23 , 2002
‘Art Beat’ – Mary Powis, North Shore Times,Nov 1, 2002
‘Object d’Art’ – Metro- Sun-Herald , Nov 10, 2002
‘Famous Faces’- Sydney Live Daily Telegraph , Feb 3, 2003
Spotlight- Opening Sydney Morning Herald, Feb 4, 2003
‘A Portrait of the singer celebrating’-Daily Telegraph, March10,2003
‘Jeanetics of Art’-Sydney Confidential- Daily Telegraph, July7, 2003
‘Artists use a bit of creative jeanius’- Mosman Daily, July 10, 2003
‘ Celebrity Canvasses for a good Cause’-North Shore Times, June18,2004
“Strong Canvas- a common link” – North Shore Times, July !st, 2005
