Courses

Vanessa Zelek

Vanessa Zelek is an abstract artist who makes large-scale works. Her expressive work is influenced by her environment and things in close proximity to her. Originally from Poland, she has been living in Co. Wexford since early childhood. Her work is an intuitive and spontaneous response to her immediate environment. She also delves into personal memories and feelings as she makes her work, allowing energy and gesture to come through. She participated in the IADT show In the Making: Milk at Pallas Projects (2023) and her work has been selected for exhibition Tooth at DIVA (2023).

Installation of Pushing Embers, 2023, Something About Green, 2023 and Impetus, 2023.

*Pushing Embers*, 2023, charcoal, acrylic, ink, pencil and oil pastel on canvas, 140 x 400 cm.

*Something About Green*, 2023, acrylic and oil stick on canvas, 76 x 102 cm.

*Impetus*, 2023, acrylic, oil stick and pencil on canvas, 120 x 150 cm.

*Acceptance*, 2023, acrylic, oil pastel, pencil and ink on canvas, 160.5 x 320 cm.

*Yellow As I'm Driving*, 2023, acrylic, oil stick and pigment on canvas, 110.5 x 142 cm.

*Do You Get It?*, 2023, acrylic, oil stick, pencil and pigment on canvas, 150 x 170 cm.

*Grounding*, 2023, acrylic and oil stick on canvas, 141 x 209 cm.

*That Walk In The Hallway*, 2023, acrylic, oil stick and pencil on canvas, 110.5 x 142 cm.

*9 Lives*, 2023, acrylic and oil stick on canvas, 79.5 x 85.5 cm.

Project Description

I am drawn to abstraction as it allows me to focus on the experience of creating rather than the final outcome. My work is expressive and influenced by things that I experience daily. My project is process-based. It can’t feel stiff or still. It’s about movement and gesture, that kind of flow, mark-making. Using my body allows me to immerse myself in the painting. Different motions of the body and speed create different marks. I work in layers as it allows me to step back from the canvas and see it. An element of control is part of my work, it’s not purely chance. Being able to evoke a feeling or an emotion from a viewer is something that intrigues me, the fact that everyone responds differently. I like having an intimate connection to each work, emotion or memory. This is particularly important when titling a work, that personal connection between me and the painting.