I first came across Narina’s works at the Affordable Art Show held last month in Wellington where she had a wall devoted to her pop-surrealist style portraits of ‘precious’ girls, and this month attended her first major Wellington exhibition opening held at the Rex Royale boutique in Wellington’s artist quarter, Cuba Street.
I overheard some exhibition guests marvelling at Narina's works and saying that she would sell out in New York. Of that I am sure. Narina, a self-taught artist, creates pop-surrealist style portraits of gorgeous, ‘precious’ girls. And these girls and Narina have a fantastic future ahead of them.
Her stylised cartoon-like works, constructed with acrylic on canvas and 3-D touches portray the innocence of youth. Narina started to paint the girls to deal with the pain and grief of losing her sister and these memories, of a childhood touched by sadness are reflected in the pretty characters she creates.
As each wee girl comes to life, Narina’s attachment to each of them intensifies, however she hopes that wherever they end up they'll be loved just as much as she loves creating them. She says “I kind of like to think that out of tragedy came beauty, and I feel lucky to have had a creative outlet to deal with my pain. The cool part is how my girls have gone from being dark and sad to a bit more grown-up and content. Now they kind of look a little bit happy. Not jumping for joy but hey we’re getting there”.
I overheard some exhibition guests marvelling at Narina's works and saying that she would sell out in New York. Of that I am sure. Narina, a self-taught artist, creates pop-surrealist style portraits of gorgeous, ‘precious’ girls. And these girls and Narina have a fantastic future ahead of them.
Her stylised cartoon-like works, constructed with acrylic on canvas and 3-D touches portray the innocence of youth. Narina started to paint the girls to deal with the pain and grief of losing her sister and these memories, of a childhood touched by sadness are reflected in the pretty characters she creates.
As each wee girl comes to life, Narina’s attachment to each of them intensifies, however she hopes that wherever they end up they'll be loved just as much as she loves creating them. She says “I kind of like to think that out of tragedy came beauty, and I feel lucky to have had a creative outlet to deal with my pain. The cool part is how my girls have gone from being dark and sad to a bit more grown-up and content. Now they kind of look a little bit happy. Not jumping for joy but hey we’re getting there”.
Narina has had three solo exhibitions in Auckland and participated in the Illicit group show in 2005, before moving to Wellington where she continues to produce her truly precious girls. The exhibition runs at Rex Royale, 106 Cuba Street throughout September 2008 and Narina can be contacted at stnz@clear.net.nzPictured above: Narina and her work.
Photo thanks to Citylife and Emma Allen.
Cynthia Greep, September 2008
Cynthia Greep, September 2008
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