Rhea Maheshwari (born 1993 Mumbai, India)[1] is an Indian and New Zealand artist notable for her colour palette of blues and purples pastels coloured dreamscapes,[2] she primarily creates large-scale ornamental paintings that resemble tapestries.[3] Maheshwari also draws inspiration from 17th- and 18th-century Mughal miniatures, especially their decorative and ornamental elements.[4]

Rhea Maheshwari
Born1993 (age 30–31)
NationalityIndia, New Zealand
EducationUniversity of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology
Known forpainting
Styledreamscape, tapestry

Biography

edit

Maheswari arrived in New Zealand as a child with her family from Mumbai. The exhibition Kiss Taraf (2023) at The Art Paper headquarters, represents her journey in New Zealand as she discovers authentic ways to express herself. Maheswari highlights the challenges faced by Asian artists in New Zealand who encounter resistance from both their families and the art world. She said. "There are so many things working against you, including family members who misunderstand our artistic pursuits." and "You have to grapple with the feeling of being an outsider and make it a part of your life journey of creating art."[3]

Maheshwari has exhibited extensively throughout New Zealand, including Corban Estate Arts Centre,[5] Depot Artspace, Bergman Gallery, Broker Gallery, Pah Homestead,[6] Mairangi Arts Centre,[7] and The Physics Room.[8]

Selected solo exhibitions

edit
  • 2023 – Ethereal Cosmography, Depot Artspace, Auckland New Zealand[9]
  • 2020 – Aerial Architecture, Queenstown Contemporary, Queenstown, New Zealand[9]

Selected group exhibitions

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Rhea Maheshwari". Mutual Art. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  2. ^ Blanchard, Paris (2023-10-18). "Finding Home". Craccum Magazine. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  3. ^ a b Tom, Blessen (2023-10-16). "South Asian artists redefine identity and expression with Auckland exhibition". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  4. ^ Tom, Blessen (2023-12-12). "Auckland gallery spotlights Asian artists". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  5. ^ a b OurAuckland. "Yahaan". OurAuckland. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
  6. ^ a b "Conditioner – Group Show". The Arts House Trust. 2020-02-18. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  7. ^ a b "Exhibitions". hugoprimbs. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  8. ^ a b "Ngutu Kākā Gallery - AUT". stpaulst.aut.ac.nz. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  9. ^ a b c "Rhea Maheshwari - Ethereal Cosmography - Depot". depot.org.nz. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  10. ^ "Bergman Gallery is delighted to announce representation of Rhea Maheshwari". Artnow. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
  11. ^ "Five Painters - Bergman Gallery". Artnow. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  12. ^ Verve (2023-06-05). "The Art of June". Verve Magazine. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  13. ^ "The Art Paper HQ". Art News Aotearoa. 2023-10-25. Retrieved 2023-12-14.