Gabriella Lewenz Artist | Gallery
Auckland
American New Zealand Abstract Painter based on Waiheke Island. NZ
Message
Lewenz is Greek born, American - New Zealand abstract artist based on Waiheke Island since 1997 having moved from Greenwich CT to New Zealand.
Her upbringing in the Diplomatic Core was rich and diverse, forming a wide cultural experience throughout her childhood having lived in Greece, Pakistan and USA, instilling in her early years an interest in the Arts.
She studied Fine Arts at Rhode Island School of Design and has a BFA from Boston Museum School of Fine Arts, Tufts University, studying under the tutelage of painter Friedel Dzubas - NYC, and has exhibited in NYC, Boston, CT., Italy and Auckland.
Her oil paintings are in private collections throughout the EU, USA, UK, HK, India, Singapore, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Since moving to New Zealand she exclusively works and sells from her Gallery, building a strong clientele and has been endorsed by Tourism NZ and Tourism Auckland in hosting many of the county's VIP & PR visitors to NZ..
A number of international magazine publications have featured her work, studio and stunning island surrounds.
Statement
"My paintings combine blended mediums of oil, washes, ash, wax, marble dust, and ground stone. My process engages a fluid and intuitive approach, weaving textural imagery and colour evoking the lyricism of the natural world and my deep connection with the landscape."
The physical beauty of her island surrounds is one of the foundation of Lewenz's works and continues themes she has explored over the last twenty years. The rhythms of nature and the four elements - air earth, fire and water - that are so dominant in her landscape recur throughout her works and reflect her deep connection to the natural environment.
Yet, it is the fifth element, etheric or quintessence that underpins her practice. The fluid, intuitive, ethereal and the spiritual are conveyed through her artistic process which involves combining and layering works using a selection of materials. This organic approach to art making evokes the lyricism of the natural world whilst acknowledging the role of the random, haphazard and chaotic'
With each new work Lewenz explores new ideas and techniques to explore ways to capture the beauty and power of the island's landscape surrounds. She approaches her craft and practice alchemically, aiming to convey the metaphysical.*
*Greek meta ta physika ("after the things of nature"); referring to an idea, doctrine, or posited reality outside of human sense perception. As such, it is concerned with explaining the features of reality that exist beyond the physical world and our immediate senses."