Eleanor Wright
Eleanor Wright is a New Zealand artist born and raised in Auckland and a graduate of Bachelor of Visual Arts programme at AUT.
During that early training period Eleanor established a clear arena of interest for her art centered around the portrait. From an initial predominant concern with self-reflexive expressionism, her art conversation broadened into the beginnings of an exploration of wider notions and theoretical implications of the portrait.
Since graduating Eleanor has been steadily engaged in developing her painting interests, creating and exhibiting numerous paintings. Her art practice is very much led by an enthusiasm in exploring new techniques and methods for creating art work.
Currently Eleanor is studying at the Florence academy of Art in Florence, Italy. She is one of five Artists at this college to receive a Florence Academy study grant.
"My intention in attending The Florence Academy is to become a great painter by improving my formal painting skills, thus supplementing the training I have received in New Zealand.
It is my belief that by combining the academic knowledge I will gain at The Florence Academy with my natural intuition towards expression in figure painting, I will be in the possession of the key elements to take my art to the next level.
An artist must have huge dedication and passion. It is not a life of certainties I feel I am filled with the passion of a great artist. I am dedicated to painting and wish to make it my life pursuit.
My other passions are Vedic philosophy. When I am not studying in Florence I frequent the Himalayas studying this ancient philosophy and the art of meditation."
2001
· Bachelor
of Visual Arts Auckland University
of Technology.
2002
· “Chinese
Masters” Group exhibition.
2003
· “Sasha”
group exhibition
2004
· Commendation,
NZ National Portrait Gallery's competition
· Placed
among top six portrait painters in New Zealand.
· Works
exhibited in Wellington and Auckland, New Zealand.
2005
· Finalist, NZ National
Portrait Gallery's competition Works exhibited in Wellington and Auckland, New Zealand.
· "Out With The
New" group exhibition
· Oedipus Rex Gallery,
Auckland, New Zealand
· One of four artists
accepted annually for a group exhibition
· Two of three paintings
exhibited sold.
· Offered a solo show with
Oedipus Rex , ‘Sky burial’.
· Finalist, 14th Wallace
Awards, New Zealand's premier Art Awards.
· Offered a private
exhibition at Auckland’s prestigious Cotter House,
2006
· "Sky Burial" solo
exhibition
Oedipus Rex Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand
Eight of eleven works exhibited sold.
Reviewed in NZ Herald
2007
· 'Portrayal' group
exhibition
Oedipus Rex Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand
Three
paintings sold one of which, Simon.L, was bought by the Wallace Trust and is
now a part of their on line Gallery.
· July; trekked in Upper
Nepal to work with internationally renowned restorers of Tibetan Ghompa's, one
of the most significant restoration projects in the Himalayas
· September, re joined
restorers in Minyak Tibet, restoring ancient Minyak art, Wayao's Buddhist wall
paintings.
2008
· July; attended Florence
Academy summer school figure drawing program.
· Placed first in class.
· Offered one of two
positions available at the school for 2009.
2009
· Currently
studying at the Florence Academy
· Received
Postgraduate study grant Tainui.
· Received Florence academy study grant. One of five given out at the Academy 2009.
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
'Silence', Sky burial series.
The Sky burial is a Tibetan ancient burial ceremony in which the dead body is cut up and fed to birds. The idea is that the birds, thought to be similar to angles, would fly the soul to heaven so that it might be reborn. Silence is an interpretation of meditation. both the bird and the figure suspended in Silence or meditation space not afflicted by the wheel of birth and death.
$4500
'Georgia', Form & Light.
Georgia was one of 7 portraits. Each of these was a study of light casting the form. The light representing the light of the soul. "I am simply the Form of my own Light".
$2500
'Autumn'.
This portrait was inspired by the change of season.
$2500
