Natasha Wright
New York-based Kiwi artist Natasha Wright has returned home for her latest exhibition Angels and Icons situated at Parlour Projects in Hastings. “I have a really large family, home will always be where they are,” she tells me, and she’s excited to be back for her first solo NZ show. An exhibition of large scale new works, these paintings draw on the history of art – paying homage to medieval painting and religious iconography. We caught up amid her busy schedule to find out a little more about her process and approach to art itself.
Photo credit: Sheridan Telford
When did you decide to become an artist and what led you to that decision?
I’ve made artwork ever since I was little, I’ve always loved making things. I’m fortunate that my parents really encouraged creativity and my grandmother was a painter—this certainly encouraged my pathway.
I studied fashion and textiles as an undergrad at Massey University while also taking as many art and drawing classes as I could. From day one the female figure was important to my work, I think the relationship with making clothing and physically dressing the body really helped with this understanding.
When I was about 18, I started working as a freelance illustrator for fashion brands and the New Zealand Herald. Line has always been an important part of my work; drawing is where all my ideas start and is crucial to the large scale paintings.
About six years ago I decided to move to New York to study my Masters of Fine Arts at The New York Studio School. The school was amazing and really connected me to a close community of artists, and at the moment I have a studio in Bushwick. For the past few years I’ve been showing my paintings in galleries around New York City.
What do you hope to make people feel when they look at your paintings?
I’m not interested in conventional standards surrounding beauty. My work has always had a feminist approach – the figures are liberated and strangely-proportioned. I imagine the women in these paintings as characters with the flexibility of taking on many different roles, like in a film or opera. My work isn’t always comfortable, it’s meant to be thought-provoking. I’d like viewers to come away with a sense of empowerment.
What’s your favourite part of the process?
My mistakes and producing unexpected results.
The Angels and Icons exhibition at Parlour Projects is your only show outside of New York state for 2019. What does it mean to you coming back to Aotearoa for this show?
I’m home for the show which is really exciting, it’s my first solo show in New Zealand and it’s really special to be able to share my work with family and friends. Parlour Projects is a gallery I really admire and Sophie Wallace has a unique curatorial eye, it’s been really great working with her.
What are your thoughts about the relationship between the artist and the buyer? Does one impact the other?
I don’t really think about the buyer when I’m making the work – that comes later and is best left to the gallerist.
Yours and Mine
Photo credit: Lexi Campbell
With a Masters of Fine Arts, a scholarship from The New York Studio School and countless awards already under your belt, what do you consider to be your biggest achievement to date?
In December I have a solo show in Chelsea at SFA Projects in New York. This is something I’ve been working on for the last year and I’m really excited about it.
What do you get up to when you aren’t working?
I like to wander around my Lower East Side neighbourhood, visit galleries or head to a rooftop bar. I try and run over the Williamsburg Bridge a few times a week to clear my mind.
Angels and Icons runs from October 5 – November 1 at Parlour Projects.
Natasha Wright | New Zealand born artist based in New York City
Find more of her work at www.natashawrightstudio.com & @natashawrightstudio
Gallery photo credits: Sheridan Telford & Monica Dzik