Natasha Wright
New Zealand born, New York-based Artist
The choice of paints and colours make her paintings look beautiful, but beneath it, the content confronts darkness. New Zealand-born, New York-based Natasha Wright is known for exploring feminist themes through her work. Her solo show 'Les Biches' was named as one of the five best female art exhibitions in her new hometown of New York in 2018.
For this former Aucklander, her paintings create her own symbol of female power and energy. Vulnerability and power, beauty and ugliness, love and obsession, and improvisation and control--such dichotomies form the basis of Natasha's work that are both strong and otherworldly.
Sauce chats with Natasha on navigating the world of art, seeking inspiration, and of course beauty routine and more.
Can you tell us about your work and what inspired you to become an artist?
My grandmother was a painter and art has always been a big part of my life. I studied fashion and textiles in undergrad in New Zealand but took as many art and drawing classes as I could. The female figure has always been an important part of my work. I think the relationship to 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 6 years ago I decided to move to New York to study my Masters of Fine Arts at The New York Studio School. The studio school was amazing and really connected me to a close community of artists. At the moment I have a studio in Bushwick, Brooklyn. For the past few years, I’ve been showing my paintings in galleries around New York City.
Do you have a muse in mind while creating?
I think a lot about the representation of females throughout history alongside contemporary references. The Venus of Willendorf, The Three Graces and Cardi B are some of my many muses. Some of the themes that motivate my work include gender, sexuality, vulnerability and power and the political and personal. I’m interested in the dualities and tension between opposites – beauty and ugliness, love and obsession, improvisation and control.
What are you inspired by lately?
I’m inspired by my surroundings and my Bushwick studio. Living in New York there is inspiration everywhere.
How do you describe your personal style?
I don’t really follow fashion. My style is pretty classic and I tend to collect pieces I can wear for years. To save time, I kind of have a uniform that changes season to season but always involves a lot of black. I wear a lot of denim, leather jackets and oversized sweaters in the winter. I love 90s style and have a pretty serious collection of slip dresses. My favourite brands are Acne, Alexander Wang and Zambesi mainly because of their beautiful fabrics and simple cuts.
And your latest work?
“Angels and Icons” is an exhibition of new large-scale oil paintings. The paintings draw on the history of art paying homage to medieval painting and religious iconography. The show uses (secular and religious) historical images of women as a foundation on which to develop an expanding series of feminine archetypes. The paintings in the show create an emblematic representation of the female form.
““For me the most important thing has been to develop a strong artist’s community and network of friends I can trust. This support system is really important. Nearly all opportunities come through building strong relationships.””
How do you overcome creative blocks?
I try and get into my studio everyday regardless of whether I feel inspired. This routine really helps me get over any creative blocks.
Your skincare routine
My beauty routine is pretty simple. I’m big on moisturising, especially in NY winter, as your skin can get really dry. Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream is also essential for surviving the winter months. Right now I’m using Kate Somerville 2 in one retinol night cream and Kate Somerville retinol eye cream.
Makeup routine
Also pretty simple…the focus is usually on brows and lips. I have quite the collection of lipsticks & there are usually a few floating around my bag. at the moment i’m loving charlotte tilbury stoned rose. Mac also has really great shades. I just discovered kevyn aucoin mascara which is pretty amazing because it’s so long wearing.
A beauty advice
Beauty wise - my sister is a dermatologist and the best tip she gave me is to wear sunscreen every day. In the summer I’ll wear Clarins SPF 50 and in the winter months when I usually don’t see the light of day I switch to a primer that includes it. Smashbox photo finish SPF 20 has a nice consistency.
Your top five tunes
At the moments a lot of Cigarettes After Sex, Philip Glass, Patti Smith, Kayne West.
Thank you Natasha. Follow her work here.
Interview — Zeenat Wilkinson
Photography — Isabella Griffiths
