Stella Shakerchi - Artist

Where Nature and Humans Meet

There has always been a fascination with and often a fear of Nature throughout human history. The different ways that civilisations have dealt with that fear is a source of constant intrigue to me. Painting is the most raw way that I explore ideas about how we interact with nature.

Sometimes angry at, sometimes at ease with how Nature has been treated, I look for ways to express that liminal moment where a human being and a frequency of nature are one. It does happen in everyone's life that they will feel this unity. It is a source of joy.

Yogi Bhajan said "vibrate the cosmos, the cosmos shall clear the path" and knowing this gives me the energy and motivation to go on painting even in the darkest of times.

There was a hiatus. In 2009 a series of intense losses began. First I lost my friend and fellow poet, too young - he was only 43, then my dear grandfather, a year later I lost the love of my life - he was a drinker, then I was diagnosed with cancer and secretly had surgery, chemo, a few short years after recovery I lost my mother, then my brother in law, and then I lost my grandmother.

So for a good ten years the light of creativity was just an ember.

An ember that has now been coaxed back to life. Hence the fresh burst of paintings, different from my old work in some ways, similar in others. The new determination, after what I learnt during that dark decade, is to enjoy now, to see the light now, and to share what I have to offer now.

Education

1994 - 1995

MSt Research Methods Oriel College, Oxford

1992 - 1993

MA Shakespeare Studies Birmingham University Shakespeare Institute

Media

Bermuda Gazette

An Engaging Study in Contrasts of Style

Royal Gazette

A Fascinating Series of Abstracts

Oxford Mail

Stella is Refreshing

Exhibitions

Solo

2016

2012

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

Mythologies, London

When the Sun Goes Down, Oxford

It's All About California, San Francisco

Abstract & Expressionist Works, Oxford

Land and Seascapes, Masterworks, Bermuda

New Works, Edinburgh Gallery, Bermuda

Recent Works, Masterworks Gallery, Bermuda

Into the Twilight, Edinburgh Gallery, Bermuda

Abstracts, Edinburgh Gallery, Bermuda

Guardian Creatures, Stratford on Avon

Group