Natasha Walsh is one of Australia’s most exciting emerging artists. A few months ago, over a period of about 12 weeks, she won three prestigious art awards; the Kilgour Prize, the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship and the Mosman Art Prize.
She’s also been a finalist in the Archibald Prize for the last 3 years in a row with stunning self portraits. And she’s only 24.
But the road to this success has not been smooth. Experiencing dyslexia as a child, she struggled both academically and socially in her early years and had to learn strategies to fit in. There’s also been an intermittent struggle with depression and she speaks openly about those experiences and how they have impacted her fascinating self portraits.
Painting on canvas has never really interested her. She’s more interested in transforming materials into ideas. Those materials have ranged from wax and copper to marble.
Walsh displays wisdom beyond her years and it was great to meet her.
Press ‘play’ which appears beneath the feature photo to hear the podcast episode.
Scroll down to see a short video of Walsh in her studio.
Current and upcoming shows
- Mosman art prize (winner) Mosman Art Gallery current until 18 November 2018
- Archibald Prize, Geelong Gallery current until 18 November 2018
- Dominik Mersch Gallery, 2019, date TBA
Show notes
- Natasha Walsh
- Natasha Walsh at Dominik Mersch Gallery
- Archibald Prize
- Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship
- Mosman Art Prize
- Kilgour Prize
- National Art School
‘Numb to touch – (self portrait)’, oil on copper, 40.5 x 28cm (finalist Archibald prize 2018)
View of ‘Numb to touch (self portrait)’ in perspex frame (photo courtesy of Natasha Walsh Instagram page)
‘Within the studio (self-portrait)’ oil on marble 10cm x 10cm (winner Kilgour prize 2018)
Three of the twenty works in ‘Timepiece’, exhibition at Dominik Mersch Gallery in 2017, all oil, pigment and goat’s milk on copper.
Installation view of ‘Timepiece’ exhibition at Dominik Mersch Gallery, Sydney, 2017
‘luciana, 1936’, oil, bee’s wax and dammar resin on panel
‘Self portrait’ oil on copper 25 x 22.5cm (finalist Archibald prize 2016)
‘One minute til midnight’, 2017, oil on copper, (finalist Doug Moran National Portrait Prize 2017)
‘The Scent of rain (self portrait)’ 2017, oil on copper 25 x 22..5cm (finalist Archibald prize 2017)
Another engaging interview and podcast. I listen to each and every podcast while working in my studio for inspiration, I feel connected and learn different approaches. I also enjoy seeing the in studio films with the artist. The entire package is fantastic. I count the days down to the next one and offen go back and listen again to previous podcasts, while waiting for the new podcast.
Thank you so much
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thanks so much for those comments Jenny! Very glad you’re enjoying the podcast. Keeps me motivated! Maria 🙂
I second what Jenny said! I have pointed so many artist in the direction your podcast! Do an international tour next 🙂 just wishing 😉 It’s really lovely show!
Thanks for listening Monica! Maria 🙂
Artists – Travel – Podcasts – Maria have you created the best job in the World? You are just “a tiny bit Marvelous” to quote Dawn French. Ditto what Jenny and Monica said – Loving your Work.
Haha – it possibly might be the best job in the world. Thanks for listening Kerry! Mx
Really fantastic interview. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Natasha is gorgeous and so talented and you were a fab interviewer Maria. Spot on. I shall definitely listen to this one again, one of my favourites. Nicola
Thanks for that Nicola and thanks for listening!