NEXUS MODERN ART

Narissa Butler    b.1969

I am often asked why I paint girls... each of my girls are a little bit of me and small snapshots of moments I see. My first Girl painting appeared in 2002. Inspired by a photograph of my mother as a child. I was taken by the innocence and awkwardness of the shot and intrigued as to what was going on behind that smile.

Women are creatures of such complexity and I am drawn to the vulnerable and awkward. The contradictions of our feelings and how we express ourselves through body language. I began with simple poses and use of colour, in what I would describe as naive in expression, and perhaps even graphic in style.

To me, my paintings express a sense of longing and nostalgia. When the first Girl paintings appeared I wanted to capture the innocence of children. Their openness and complete lack of guile. I guess this is why most are painted looking directly at the viewer. So far the response to them has been heart-warmingly overwhelming. Hopefully reminding many of us of our inner child or perhaps as windows into our own children.


Currently most of my girls appear to be heading toward adolescence. For most a time of extreme self-awareness and awakening. As the Girls continue to grow and change from the earlier series, I have slowly incorporated small accompaniments such as butterflies and birds and chairs.... Much to my delight they are still being received with much warmth and affection.


Biography

2009

Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School Art Exhibition – Melbourne

Canterbury Art Exhibition - Melbourne

Studio Sixty-5 - Queensland

Work featured in ’Barefoot’ Magazine Autumn and Winter editions


2008

Nexus Modern Art Gallery – Melbourne

Art Melbourne – Melbourne

Canterbury Art Exhibition – Melbourne

Manyung Gallery Group Exhibition – Mt Eliza

Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School Art Exhibition – Melbourne

Work Featured in ‘Home Beautiful’ Australia February edition

2007

Image used in Melbourne Rudolf Steiner Calender

Image of ‘Idyll’ used to advertise Melbourne Rudolf Steiner Art Exhibition

Melbourne Rudolf Steiner Art Exhibition – Melbourne



2002 – 2006

Melbourne Rudolf Steiner Art Exhibition – Melbourne 2006

Image of ‘Two a day’ used to launch OVCA National Awareness Day 2005

‘Art with Heart’ Exhibition – Melbourne 2004

‘Art with Heart’ Exhibition – Melbourne 2003

‘Art with Heart’ Exhibition – Melbourne 2002



Private commissions

Melbourne – Sydney – Perth – Adelaide – Canberra
Exhibitions include-

2002 ‘Art with Heart’ Exhibition – Melbourne

2003 Art with Heart – Melbourne

2004 Art with Heart’ Exhibition – Melbourne

2004 Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School Art Exhibition

2006,Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School Art Exhibition

2007,Image of ‘Two a day’ used to launch OVCA National Awareness Day



Publications include-

2005, Image of ‘Idyll’ Rudolf Steiner School 2007 Art Exhibition, Image used in Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School Calender 2007,

Work Featured in ‘Home Beautiful’ Australia February edition 2008