ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT 44
ON THE ARTS MAP
KENT ARTIST PROFILE
LANA ARKHI
WITH A UNIQUE VISION AND STUNNING ATTENTION TO DETAIL, LANA ARKHI’ S AWARD-WINNING COLLECTIONS, FROM VIBRANT PORTRAITS AND PAINTINGS INSPIRED BY KENTISH LANDSCAPES TO INCREDIBLY DETAILED PORCELAINS, UNSURPRISINGLY CAPTURE THE ATTENTION OF A GLOBAL AUDIENCE. TODAY, LANA ALSO AIMS TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARTISTS THROUGH A RANGE OF DIVERSE WORKSHOPS AT HER BROADSTAIRS STUDIO AND GALLERY.
Lana, you create brilliant collections of intricate porcelain works and striking acrylic / watercolour paintings; are you drawn to one artform over the other?
It all began in art college, where I had the incredible opportunity to paint murals in libraries, universities and various institutions. Those experiences laid the foundation for my creative career and fueled my passion for exploring different mediums. Upon starting university, I discovered porcelain- a material that captured my imagination and has held it ever since. Working with porcelain has been a rewarding adventure and I’ ve never looked back!
As a full-time artist, today I relish the freedom to work with any material that inspires me. Whether it’ s exploring new subjects or experimenting with diverse styles, I find immense joy in keeping my work dynamic and ever-evolving. This constant change keeps life fascinating and continuously fuels my creativity.
Where do you find inspiration? How has Kent inspired your work?
My artistic journey constantly gets inspiration from various sources; I find it incredibly exciting to switch subjects frequently, allowing fresh ideas to flow effortlessly. This approach has led me to create over 30 portraits of the wonderful people residing in Kent alongside about 50 portraits capturing the essence of renowned musicians and actors.
Beyond portraits, I’ ve immersed myself in capturing the breathtaking scenery of Kent through watercolours, acrylics and oils. Each piece holds a special place in my heart as it reflects the unique beauty of our surroundings. Additionally, my porcelain collection, The Family, draws inspiration from the intriguing lives of the royal family. This project has been both challenging and rewarding, pushing me to explore new creative avenues.
You also offer workshops for budding artists; what inspired your want to help others on their artistic journeys?
As the proud owner of the Kent Talents Art Studio and Gallery and a passionate art educator, I teach both children and adults to explore their artistic potential through a diverse range of classes. With an academic background in art, I offer comprehensive instruction in various subjects including portraiture, still life, landscape drawing and painting. It’ s incredibly rewarding for me to share my knowledge with young artists and those just beginning their creative journey. I’ m proud to say that my students have exhibited at prestigious venues such as the Royal Academy and the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, and have taken home first-place prizes as young artists. This year promises even more excitement as my
students showcase their work with the Hilliard Society and RMS in London’ s Bankside Gallery.
Where can we find / see / purchase your work?
You can purchase my artwork at the Kent Talents Art Gallery in Broadstairs, online at lanaarkhi. etsy. com, and at the following exhibitions outside of Kent. Royal Miniature Society, Nature in Arts Twigworth, Gloucester( until 8 June); Hilliard Society of Miniaturists at Wells Town Hall, Wells, Somerset( 7- 14 June); the International Miniature Show, Parklane Gallery, Kirkland Washington USA( 2 July- 1 August); and the Royal Miniature Society at Bankside Gallery, London( 18- 22 November).
lanaarkhi. com artist _ Lana _ Arkhi
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