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Schira Withers
Abstract artist Schira Withers originally hailed from Ireland and has resided in New Zealand for 28 years. She has always been passionate about the visual arts. In 2019 she chose to say goodbye to her career as a primary school teacher and to embark on an unknown pathway; an artist’s journey.
Over the last five years, Schira has focused her practice in creating sculptural works on a canvas plane that are thought provoking and expressive. She uses a range of textural acrylic mixed media pastes, gels, resin sands and paint, which she then varnishes to a high gloss finish. They are professionally framed in a shadow boxed construction.
Schira’s artworks are an energetic expression of her passion for nature and the human response to its environment. She believes the all consuming and intricate process of creating a piece is as enjoyable as sharing the result itself.
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One is often tempted to search for a familiar element in an abstract painting and question what it resembles. Schira asks the viewer to engage with the depth of the textural form and delve into a meditative moment; to view the story on canvas, that uses shape and texture to speak. The colours flow, move and intertwine within the contours on the surface and speak of our daily sights and sounds. The viewer can then identify and decipher their own narrative from the abstract piece.
The intricate and varied process of creating an image for Schira is a journey that brings a sense of peace and completeness. She becomes immersed in the process when moulding the folds and contours of the surface plane and uses them to tell her story.
Since wholeheartedly diving into the art community, she has exhibited throughout New Zealand, with success not only in sales, but also commissions. Her artworks have been featured several times in both Art Edit Magazine and UK House And Garden Magazine.
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2023 has been a busy year for her. She took on a job as one of the visitor guides at the Christchurch Art Gallery and an active contributor for Arts Canterbury. Both of these volunteer roles are, she believes, an absolute honour. She is delighted to be ‘giving back’ to the community that has inspired and supported her journey.
Schira has shown in the Christchurch Art Show and Auckland Art Show this year, as well as Down By The liffey Gallery in Lincoln and The New Zealand Artists Exhibitions in both Cashmere and St Andrew’s College. Schira’s works are also available to view at The Captain’s Quarter Gallery in Akaroa. Her works are also displayed in offices and boutique retail locations in Christchurch.
Website: www.schirasart.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schiras_art/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Schirasart/
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