BIOGRAPHY
Esti Nagy is a Perth based artist working primarily in oils and acrylics, contrasting realism with abstract and graphic elements. Her work is inspired by her deeply felt connection to animals and nature. Esti was born in Hungary and moved to Mauritius with her family at the age of ten. She then moved to Australia to study graphic design at Curtin University in her early 20’s, which ignited her passion for design and illustration. Her wish to combine this passion with her love of nature led her to complete a degree in landscape architecture from the University of Western Australia. This gave her many tools for working on large design projects that combined art with nature and architecture. Whilst working as a landscape architect, she found her desire to freely express herself through art grow, and she eventually felt called to pursue being an artist full-time.
Since 2015, Esti has completed several large mural commissions including ones for the City of Joondalup and the Shire of Esperance. She has also completed an Advanced Diploma in art therapy in order to learn to share with others her passion for the healing power of art. She has taken part in numerous group exhibitions and held her first solo exhibition in 2020, which was a collection of over 40 works. From 2018 - 2020, Esti served on the committee of the Cannery Arts Centre in Esperance and helped organise several arts based events, also with programming and installation of many exhibitions. Esti has taught art workshops through the Cannery Arts Centre, and clients such as Esperance Senior High School and Carers WA. She has also conducted many art therapy groups and individual sessions for the Esther Foundation.
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
Ever since I was a small child, I felt a deep connectedness to animals and nature. I see art-making as a part of my soul's work, which often starts with a vision during daily meditation, and is inspired by a larger identity: one which is never separate from the whole and desires healing for all beings and nature. I believe art-making is a sacred alchemy of sorts, one that can make our lives bigger, more beautiful and whole.
I primarily work in oils and acrylics and I enjoy contrasting realism with abstract and graphic elements. Things I cannot express in words come through my hands as I work. I build layers upon layers, experimenting, adding new parts and eliminating that which no longer serves the whole - until something emerges that has its own personality and presence, one that speaks to me and brings me joy. The alchemy is my presence, openness, patience and curiosity. I am fascinated by the power of stories and the symbolism held in our collective psyche and my art is an exploration of this.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Born: Hungary in July 1977
Formal Education:
2016 - 2018, Advanced Diploma of Transpersonal Art Therapy, IKON Institute of Australia
2015 - 2016, Diploma of Clinical Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy, Castor and Pollux
2006 - 2010, Bachelor of Arts (Landscape Architecture), University of Western Australia
1998 - 2002, Bachelor of Arts (Graphic Design and Illustration), Curtin University of Technology
Additional art training with:
Nicholas Wilton - CVP 2020 (Creative Visionary Program) and 2020 -22 member of the Art2Life Academy of CVP graduates.
Drewfus Gates - Claremont School of Art and private workshops
Joss Gregson - Fremantle Arts Centre
Szemok Zsuzsanna – Sculptor and Artist, Hungary, private tuitions
Solo Exhibition:
2021 Not Separate: The Tamed and the Wild; Cannery Arts Centre, Esperance. With In-kind support from the Cannery Arts Centre due to COVID-19.
Group Exhibitions:
2022 Cannery Arts Centre Art Awards, Esperance
2020 The Art of Isolation, Cannery Arts Centre
Salvage - Art From the Shed, Cannery Arts Centre
2019 The 9x5 Exhibition, Cannery Arts Centre
Kalgoorlie-Boulder Art Prize, Goldfields Arts Centre
Something Fishy, Cannery Arts Centre
2018 Flotsam and Jetsam, Cannery Arts Centre
Art on the Move, Cannery Arts Centre
2015 City of Stirling Art Awards
2015 RAW Artists Merge Exhibition
2015 Cossack Art Awards
2013 City of Stirling Art Awards
2013 Fremantle Art Centre Students Exhibition
2010 UWA Architecture School Graduates Exhibition
2002 Curtin University Design Graduates Exhibition
Murals:
2022 ‘Australian Sea Lions’ and ‘Rock Wallabies and Friends’, Esperance Boulevard Shopping Centre, for Charter Hall
2022 ‘Raising the Sun’ - Lachie’s House, Esperance Crisis Accommodation
2021 'Black Cockatoos Flying Over Bushland', Hollywood Private Hospital for Ramsay Healthcare
2020 ‘Raising the Sun’, Lachies’ House, Esperance Crisis Accommodation
2020 'Lucky Bay Mural', Esperance Hospital in collaboration with Pauline Bonney, for the Lions Club and Hospital Auxiliary
2018 'Esperance Kangaroos', Esperance Scouts Hall, for the Shire of Esperance's Edge of the Bay Festival
2017 'Celebrating Esperance' - for the Festival of the Wind Committee
2017 ‘Octopus’ and ‘Painting the Ocean’ at Mullaloo Beach Surf lifesaving Club for the City of Joondalup
2016 'The Owl and the Girl' - Souljahs Cafe, Roleystone
2016 'The Flying Whales' - Private Property, Scarborough
2016 'A Magical World', Esperance High School Library
2015 'Kangaraff '- and 'Magpie' - Private Property, Scarborough
Awards:
2022 - 23 City of Stirling Community Creativity Fund recipient for ‘Suburban Jungle’ Mural and community engagement workshops
2022 - Cannery Arts Centre Art Awards - Highly Commended painting award
2022, City of Stirling Community Creativity Fund recipient for expressive arts workshop series
2015, City of Stirling Art Awards, Best Oil Painting
2009, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, Best overall student in Landscape Architecture award
2000, Illustration Award for best final year performance in BA (Design), Curtin University