Artist profile
Hiranya
Hiranya is a classical figurative artist from Brisbane. She exclusively produces works derived from memories and experiences through various reflexions of expressive gestures.
Her ongoing abstract portrait series 'Tearoom' has started based on a personal fascination for culture and flavour, then eventually moved to a level of inspirations by the fluidity of the body movements and personal story telling.
Vibrant stripes & romantic symbolism on the subject is a focus point. Starting from simpler-minimal story to sophisticated tales with artist's personal favourites - colourful tea cups, tea pots and many flowers. The borrowed elegance and aesthetics from 18th century Victorian era has elevated the overall visual presentation.
Career Highlights
1. 1985 - 1990 Completion of extended Fine art Studies Diploma program including painting, life drawings, still life, en plein aire, Sculpture, Installation and Museum studies
2. (2022) John Villiers Outback Art Prize: Finalist, Waltzing Matilda Centre/Museum, Winton, QLD, Australia (2021) BigCi Artist Residency, hosted by Bilpin international ground for Creative initiatives, NSW, Australia (1993) President's Award - Public art project (Mural) - National Hospital Complex, Colombo, Sri Lanka (1993) Gold Medalist - “Figurative Painting competition” - Finland (1992) Silver Medalist - “Contemporary life drawing” - Japan (1990) Gold Medalist - “Lifestyle painting” - South Asia Region (1985-1990) Winner of multiple “Interstate art competitions” - Colombo, Sri Lanka
3. (2022) “Forever Summer” - Solo Exhibition, Redland Shire, QLD, Australia (2022) “The Canticle of the Rainbow” - Book launch, Redland Shire, QLD, Australia (2021) “Sense of Place” - Group Exhibition, Waltzing Matilda Centre-Museum, Winton, QLD, Australia (1990-1995) Solo exhibitions, National Art Gallery - Colombo, Sri Lanka (1990-1995) Group exhibitions, National Art Gallery - Colombo, Sri Lanka (1994) “My Heritage” Paintings, Wood Art and Paper Craft (Solo) - BMICH, Sri Lanka (1988) “Life and Culture” - Group Exhibition - BMICH, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Artist Interview
Tell us a bit about your story and how you came to be an artist
I am an overseas trained professional Fashion Marketer and a performative wearable product designer during the initial part of my adult life. From my childhood through to college, I have always extensively studied, created and exhibited visual arts outside of Australia. Then moved briefly to work in Fashion & Retail and have worked in multiple countries including Sri Lanka, India, Singapore, HongKong, Bangladesh, UAE and USA. After permanently moving to Australia, I have reconnected with my love language and have been creating art for the last 7 years. The hidden detail in my work: A representation of 'Self'.
What medium do you work with, and why have you chosen them?
At this phase I often work with multi-mediums based on the aesthetics I am going after.
How does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?
I like to believe I was born inspired. There are so many ideas flowing through every single day. Of course the natural environment and my cultural heritage played a significant influential part but my stories are all created in my head. So I maintain a story board. I would probably do a thumbnail in my sketch book, then directly go into the canvas, drawing free-hand and then move on to rendering. I believe the "First time concept realisation is the truest work of the original idea". I am almost always satisfied with the final outcome and I treat every single artwork as my "best artwork of all".
