Naomi Zouwer

Naomi Zouwer draws on the traditions of still life painting to explore the relationship of keepsakes to ideas of time, memory and belonging. These still life paintings focus on small domestic scenes and objects that are part of daily life. Zouwer’s painting of objects enhances their quality and raises their status so each one becomes worthy of sustained attention. 

With, “French initial ribbon”, I was interested in capturing the delicate materiality and charm of the ribbon against the soft tissue paper. 
“Still life #41” and “Still life #42” were responses to Instagram challenges posted by @Stillherestilllife. Participating in these challenges forced me to experiment with new colour palettes, compositions and domestic scenes.

Naomi Zouwer is a Canberra based, cross-disciplinary artist. She works across drawing, painting and textiles mediums making works that engage with ideas of cultural heritage, identity and the social role of personal objects. 

In 2019, Zouwer was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy from the School of Art at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra. Prior to this she received her Graduate Diploma in Education and a Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts) from the University of Newcastle. 

Zouwer has been selected for drawing, painting and textile awards and prizes. These include: 2020 Waverley Art Prize; 2020 Goulburn Art Award; Lethbridge 10 000 Small Scale Art Award 2018; Kate Derum Award for Small Tapestries, 2016; Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Award 2015; M16 Artspace Drawing Prize 2015 and the ANU School of Art Drawing Prize 2014.

Zouwer has exhibited widely in Australia including (but not limited to) the following galleries: Michael Reid Northern Beaches Gallery, Sydney (mini release in 2021); 
M16 Artspace (solo in 2020) and Beaver Galleries, Canberra (group in 2020). In 2020, Zouwer was selected as one of 5 Australian artists to complete an Artist in Residence in 2021 at Megalo Print Studio.