Featured Artist - Nafisa Naomi

[Lesley Smitheringale]

Nafisa Naomi has exhibited extensively overseas and in Australia and has recently won the Gold Medal for her painting "Regeneration" at the Florence Biennale from a field of 800 artists from 60 Nations. Since beginning her art career 8 years ago, she has won over 40 awards and commendations and has been in over 100 selected group shows. Nafisa founded the national association of portrait artists in 2002 and having just completed a Masters of Fine Art in Sydney, she sees her work reflecting a strong academic link.

Born in Mumbai, India, she spent her early childhood in Hong Kong and later Australia. Before working full-time as a professional artist she studied medicine and ran a successful fashion business. Her passion for the natural environment and the human condition is expressed through her portraiture and associated works with an emphasis on ‘beauty’. Nafisa is represented in many private and corporate collections both in Australia and overseas.

Nafisa in front of "Regeneration" Regeneration Part IV

It is ironic when in the one animal-we have all the best characteristics: beauty, strength, peacefulness, wisdom, bravery, intelligence and compassion. However their inevitable extinction is fast approaching. Elephants have inspired artists, authors, poets and film-makers throughout recorded civilization. There remains a deep sense of love and respect when in the presence of the largest of the land-dwelling animals. Thus, as a way of “drawing” attention to the plight of the Asian elephant, I have attempted to give an account of our group’s adventure in Assam in the form of a visual diary of our journey, as it unfolded in the foothills of the Himalayas."

"Elephant Series from Assam"




Nafisa's work can currently be seen at Frances Keevil Art Gallery , Double Bay, NSW Australia

Nafisa's Website

[Julie Stephens]

Lesley, Thanks for sharing this, what a wonderful artist, her elephants are outstanding, and her flowers are just fantastic.