BIOGRAPHY
Esti Nagy is an Australian artist and illustrator living in Perth. Her enchanting work combines realism with stylised graphic elements inspired by the natural world. From digital creations to large-scale mural art in acrylics, Esti works across a range of mediums and scales to express her deep spiritual connection to nature and animals, portraying the soul and connectedness of all living things.
Born in Hungary, Esti was exposed to the world of art from a young age by her sculptor mother. Her family then relocated to the culturally diverse island of Mauritius when she was ten, before she finally settled in Australia to pursue a Bachelor's degree in graphic design and illustration at Curtin University. Later, Esti completed a degree in landscape architecture at the University of Western Australia and went on to work on several large projects combining art, nature and architecture. Driven to express herself more fully through art and illustration, Esti began her business as an artist in 2015 and has since completed numerous commissions, including several murals for local government, community groups, and private clients. She has participated in many group exhibitions and held her first solo show in 2020.
Esti’s artistic achievements have been recognised with several awards. Over the past two years, she has been the recipient of two of the City of Stirling's Creative Communities Grants, and she is currently working on a mural to be completed in May of this year.
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
From a young age, I have felt a profound spiritual connection to the natural world and its inhabitants. Through my art, I strive to honour and express this innate bond. My creations often begin with a vision that is revealed to me through quiet meditation. As I delve deeper into this initial inspiration, I find myself drawn to explore and celebrate the interconnectedness of all things. I see art-making as a sacred of alchemy that enhances my life and serves to enrich the lives of others.
I love working in a range of mediums and scales - from small paper works to large murals - I find great delight and inspiration in variety and experimenting. In my process I often combine several mediums, from traditional oils, pencils, and acrylics to digital tools. Detailed realism is a big part of my work, which I contrast and layer with simple graphic shapes, patterns or abstract backgrounds.
Colour is another central part of my work - I love exploring colour harmonies and the interplay between vibrant and muted hues. When creating murals, I always carefully consider the surrounding environment, striving to integrate the work with its surroundings. With a background in design, illustration, and architecture, my creative process is guided by careful planning and research, typically through the use of digital mediums. I then build my works in layers, whether on canvas, paper, or walls, until my subjects take on a life of their own and become imbued with a sense of soul.
I am particularly drawn to depicting animals and the natural world, often featuring children interacting with these subjects in my works. Through my art, I seek to inspire a sense of wonder and reverence for the natural world and all its inhabitants, celebrating the beauty and interconnectedness of all things.
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