Featured Artist of the Month
Web: www.nedda.ca
Facebook: Art by Nedda
Instagram: neddazaharelos4art
Nedda Riva Zaharelos
Artist Statement & Description:
As a professional designer I work in a controlled and pressured environment. In contrast when I paint I try to free myself of all dogmas, beliefs and rules. However the structured world is still present in my abstract paintings. Most of the time my inspiration comes from interacting with the canvas; it’s like talking with a friend, sometimes we get along, sometimes we fight. I start with an idea and as I work on it, it develops and quite often in a completely different direction. When I work on a painting, whether on an abstract or a figure based piece, my main objectives and interests are always about shapes and forms. I apply layers of glaze over layers of markings, over layers of transparent paints trying to create the illusion of depth and space. I am aware of composition, balance and try to work with a simple colour palette. Every painting is a challenge and I love it when the final product says something of me that engages the viewer. This interaction allows the possibility of many stories and feelings to surface and the opportunity for my personal ideas and the public awareness to coexist.
Artist Bio:
Nedda Riva Zaharelos is a passionate enthusiastic acrylic painter and a sculpture installation artist based in Toronto. Her love for, and study of art started at a very young age in Italy and it continues now through self exploration into her works and expressing personal feelings that show great curiosity in people and culture. Her latest interests are abstract painting and figure drawing; these artworks explore the relationship of the abstract, the figure and the illusion of sculptural space. Her multifaceted backgrounds are a representation of the present tattoo culture. Also and quite often when working on a figure piece she enjoys allowing the subtle figure to emerge from the background as if it were insignificant.
The exploration and connection between the two/dimensional and the sculptural are a natural concurrence since Nedda’s professional work is Interior Design and Architecture.
In 1973 Nedda became a member of the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario and opened a business under the name Ultima Design. Her designs included Residential, Corporate and Hospitality.
After the devastating early deaths of her husband and youngest daughter in 1993, Nedda concentrated her interest in art by enrolling at the Ontario College of Art and Design, graduating in Sculpture Installation (honours) in 1998.
Her passion for art continued even when returning to work as a designer. Nedda is presently a Life Member of the ARIDO, a member of The Art Guild of Scarborough, Cedar Ridge Creative Centre, Markham Group of Artists, Ajax Creative Arts, Pine Ridge Art Council and Oshawa Art Association. These connections have created the opportunity for her to be juried into several group exhibitions.
2022 Oshawa Art Show – McLaughlin Gallery
2022 Art Emotions Gallery -“She Is Show” Toronto
2021 Propeller Gallery – “Member and Alumni show” Toronto
2021 Markham Group of Artist – Window Open 2021 Markham
2021 Leslie grove Gallery “4 Arts Sake” Group Show, Toronto
2020 Art Guild of Scarborough – Arthur Show. Toronto
2020 Colborne Gallery – Eight Annual Juried Show
2020 Markham Group of Artist – Window Open
2020 Markham “A State of Complexity” (Honorable Mention) Suzanne Metz Juror
2019 Pine Ridge Arts Council juried show. Ajax . “Glacier” (Juror Choice) Linda Jansma Juror
2019 Art Guild of Scarborough Toronto. “Cervino” (Special Merit)
2019 Art Guild of Scarborough Toronto. “Conscious Vibration” (Special Merit)
2019 “Works by Nedda M. Riva Zaharelos” Fairview Library – Toronto
Papyrus Dream, 20 x 16 Acrylic
Sunset on a Rooftop, 40 x 30 Acrylic
Death of a Painting, 24 x 36 Acrylic
Phoenix, 40 x 40 Acrylic
A State of Complexity, 30 x 30 Acrylic
A State of Complexity II, 36 x 24 Acrylic
If Only I, 30 x 30 x 40 Installation
Concrete and Wax Sculpture, 10 x 11 x 5H
Conscious Vibration, 36 x 24 Acrylic
If you would like more information about a painting or the artist contact the artist directly through their contact information on this page or complete the form on the Contact Us page.
Copyright notice: The copyright for these artworks resides with the artist. It is illegal for these images to be reproduced in any way or by any means, in whole or in part, without the written permission of the artist.