Biography
Born in Moscow, Russia in 1979
From a very young age Leila’s life was strongly influenced by art. She started her art education in Russia and in1996 immigrated with her family to New Zealand where she continued to study and practice art. Leila won a number of art awards and exhibited in a large number of personal and group shows in New Zealand, USA, Italy. Her works feature in many private collections in New Zealand, Australia, England, Italy, South Korea and Russia. She has established and run Art School since 2004 that provides art classes for Adults and Children.
Tertiary Education
2009 – Post Graduate Diploma (PGDip) - Elam, School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
1998-2001 – Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) - Elam, School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Courses and Training
1995 - Icon Writing (Palekh School).
1994 - Palekh (Lacquer Miniature), Vena Art School.
1993 - Drawing, Watercolour - Private tuition with practicing artists.
Awards
2008 - The Mazda Awards 2008 - 2nd Runner Up
2008 - The Morpeth Canada 2008 Art Award - People’s Choice award
2007 - Waitakere Trust Art Awards - Popular Choice Award
2002 - The Nokia Art Awards - Asia Pacific 2001
2001 - Telecom Art Awards
Publications / Media:
Books/Catalogs
’The Pinup Project’ , Edited by Katriona Feinstein, Introduction by Jim Silke, Graffito Books London, pp 150, 153, 155, 157, 166; 2015 (UK)
'Lowbrow Cats', Edited by Rakel Valesco, Introduction by Ray Caesar, Graffito Books London, pp. 32, 64 – 65, 81, 106, 143; 2014, (UK)
'Walk on the Wild Side', Dorothy Circus Gallery – Drago, p.43-55 , 2012- 2013, (Italy)
'Onece Upon a Time', Dorothy Circus Gallery – Drago, p.38-41, 2010- 2011, (Italy)
‘Pop Surrealism. What a Wonderfool World’, Dorothy Circus Gallery – Drago, 2010, (Italy)
‘ELAM Graduate Work’ - University of Auckland, 2008, (NZ)
‘New Zealand’s Favourite Artists’, Edited by Denis Robinson – Saint Publishing 2006, (NZ)
Magazines/TV/Newspapers
2014 Miroir “Desire”, p. 192- 198 +Cover, (International)
2014 Beautiful.bezarre Magazine, June-2014, #005, Inked, p.112, (Australia)
2012 Laminate Most Wanted Vol. 5 "Chain Gang", (UK)
2012 October 21 - Neighbourhood, Series1, Episode 25, Onehunga, TV1 (NZ) http://tvnz.co.nz/neighbourhood/s1-ep25-video-5142509
2012 October 25 - Otago Daily Times, Arts/Art Seen, Delightful Curiosities - The Artist's Room, by James Dignan. (NZ) http://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/arts/231797/art-seen
2012 October 11 - Afran Sajedinin Mostra a Roma, RaiNews (Italy) http://www.rainews24.rai.it/it/canale-tv.php?id=30085
2012 June 17 - Котки с души на пеперуди, Trud (Bulgaria) http://www.trud.bg/Article.asp?ArticleId=1423352
2012 May 10 – Atr News – Moda ed estetica femminile, Rai Art News (Italy) http://www.arte.rai.it/articoli/art-news-moda-ed-estetica-femminile/14690/default.aspx
2012 April – Leila Ataya: Benvenuti Nel Mio Regno, Via Condotti Magazine, p28-29, (Italy)
2012 March 27 - Rome, Leila Ataya et une touche de sensualité pop surréaliste, BSC News (France) http://bscnews.fr/201203272143/Arts-et-expos/rome-leila-ataya-et-une-touche-de-sensualite-pop-surrealiste.html
2011 Feb 28 - “An Exhibition on perfumes”, Vogue Italy - on line, (Italy)
2010 Aug 16 -“Artist of the week”, Public republic – online Art Journal, (Bulgaria) English / Bulgarian
2009 May 21 -“Viewers Create Their Own Story”, The Aucklander, p11, (NZ)
2008 Dec 09 - “Art Circus – Watch This Space”, Artists Alliance Art All #93, (NZ)
2008 Dec - The University of Auckland News magazine (Dec 2008) – cover, (NZ)
2008 Sep 25 - “Russian Pearl”, Otago Daily Times, p33, (NZ)
2008 Sep 25 - “Art Seen”, Otago Daily Times, p34, (NZ)
2008 Nov 06 - “Artists await our votes” Western Leader, (NZ)
2008 Nov - Ponsonby News, p93, (NZ)
2007 Nov - “Leila’s world is full of art” Western Leader, p4, (NZ)
2004 Sep - RTV Triangle Television, (NZ)
2004 Aug 06 - “Te Atatu has a prize-winner - Artist's work on show'', Western Leader, (NZ)
2003 Dec - “Iconic Art”, NZ House and Garden magazine, p153-156, (NZ)
2003 Winter - Arts Chat and Scribbles magazine, p8, (NZ)
2002 Sep 17 - TV3 News, (NZ)
2002 March 15 - “Religious Art Nurtures Spirit”, Eastern Courier , (NZ)
2002 - Eye On The World catalogue, (Thailand)
2002 Jan - “Bald canvas” Metro Magazine, (NZ)
2001 - Telephone Book 2001(Auckland, New Zealand) – Cover, (NZ)
2001 Feb - “An Elam Painting in every home” The University of Auckland News magazine, cover, (NZ)
2000 Nov 29 - “Lone Pine Lives On”, Auckland City Harbour News, (NZ)
2000 Nov 24 - “Felled Icon Lives Again on Cover”, Central Leader, (NZ)
2000 Nov 22 - “One Tree Hill Artist”, Times Pinnacle, (NZ)
2000 Nov 21 - “Artist Locks Up Telecom Award”, Manukau Courier, (NZ)
2000 Nov 17 - “Telecom Books The Keys To Auckland”, National Business Review, (NZ)
Selected exhibitions:
Personal Shows:
2014: Through The Eyes Of The Traveller, The Artist's Room Gallery, Dunedin, NZ
2012: Delightful Curiosities, The Artist's Room Gallery, Dunedin, NZ
2012: Secrets From The Hourglass, Dorothy Circus Gallery, Rome, Italy
2009: A Whimsical Tale, Monterey Gallery, Howick, Auckland, NZ
2008: Long Story about Life, The Artist's Room Gallery, Dunedin, NZ
2007: Garden of Eden, Letham Gallery, Ponsonby, Auckland, NZ
2006 : Obsession, Letham Gallery, Ponsonby, Auckland, NZ
2005: Sweet Aria, Letham Gallery, Ponsonby, Auckland, NZ
2004 : Leila Ataya, The Civic Centre, Waitakere City Council, Auckland, NZ
2003 : Checkmate, Letham Gallery, Ponsonby, Auckland, NZ
2002 : The Family, Letham Gallery, Ponsonby, Auckland, NZ
Group shows:
2015:
The 2015 Baradene Art Show, Auckland, NZ
Nightmare in Wonderland - Part II, Distinction Gallery, Escondido, Ca, USA
Xiong Mao, Pepper Flower Gallery, Pasadena, California, USA
Affair of the Heart, Northcote College, Auckland, NZ
Nightmare in Wonderland, Rotofugi Gallery, Chicago, USA
2014:
Pandamonium, Pepper Flower Gallery, Pasadena, California, USA
3rd Year Anniversary Show, Pepper Flower Gallery, Pasadena, California, USA
Art Fusions 2014, Carmel College, Auckland, NZ
Of History and Hope, Pepper Flower Gallery, Pasadena, California, USA
2013:
Lacrima Aquarium, Acquario Romano Museum Casa Dell’Architettura, Rome, Italy
A Tribute to Our Own Fairy Tale, Pepper Flower Gallery, Pasadena, California, USA
Draw, Augustus Clown Gallery, Victoria, Australia
Menagerie, The Artist's Room Gallery, Dunedin, NZ
Those Who Dream By Day, Strychnin Gallery, Berlin, Germany
Painted Sound, Pepper Flower Gallery, Pasadena, California, USA
2012:
Inside Her Eyes, Palazzo Valentini - Arte Contemporanea, Rome, Italy
Pop Surrealism - Stay Foolish, Museo Casa del Conte Verde, Torino, Italy
Art Fusions 2012, Carmel College, Auckland, NZ
Swab – Art Fair, Barcelona, Spain
Exhibition of Fine Arts, Vauxhall School, Auckland, NZ
Green Blood, Dorothy Circus Gallery, Rome, Italy
2011:
Sale of Fine Arts, King's College, Auckland, NZ
Art Fusions 2011, Carmel College, Auckland, NZ
New Works, The Artist's Room Gallery, Dunedin, NZ
Eau De Parfum, Dorothy Circus Gallery, Rome, Italy
Private Collection Carnival, Dorothy Circus Gallery, Rome, Italy
2010:
Leila Ataya - Gallery 3, Copro Gallery, Santa Monica, USA
My True Love Gave To Me, Exhibition’s Gallery of Fine Art, Wellington, NZ
Momento, The Artist's Room Gallery, Dunedin, NZ
Pop Surrealism, Museo Carandente, Spoleto, Italy
Through the Looking Glass, Monterey Gallery, Howick, Auckland, NZ
Works on Paper, The Artist's Room Gallery, Dunedin, NZ
Tutor Showcase, Corban Estate Arts Centre, Auckland, NZ
Norfolk House Realist Invitational, The Artist's Room Gallery, Dunedin, NZ
2009:
Butterfly Garden & Wergelzings, Letham Gallery, Ponsonby, Auckland, NZ
Familiars, The Artist's Room Gallery, Dunedin, NZ
Clustre, Reflections Art Gallery, WOW Museum, Nelson, NZ
Birthday Exhibition, The Artist's Room Gallery, Dunedin, NZ
Glaister Ennor Graduate Art Show 2009, Oedipus Rex Gallery, Auckland, NZ
Works on Paper, The Artist's Room Gallery, Dunedin, NZ
Exhibition of Contemporary Art, Kohia Terrace School, Auckland, NZ
2009 Art Exhibition, Macleans College, Auckland, NZ
Easter Show, Uxbridge Gallery, Auckland, NZ
2008:
Sale of Fine Arts, King's College, Auckland, NZ
Western Gothic, Corban Estate Arts Centre, Auckland, NZ
Big Art Night Out, Mt Eden Primary School, Auckland, NZ
Clustre, Reflections Art Gallery, WOW Museum, Nelson, NZ
Mazda Art Works, Hilton Hotel, Auckland, NZ
Art Show, St Andrew’s Church, Auckland, NZ
Exhibition of Fine Arts, Vauxhall School, Auckland, NZ
Contemporary Mix, Reflections Art Gallery, WOW Museum, Nelson, NZ
Exhibition of Contemporary Art, Kohia Terrace School, Auckland, NZ
2008 Art Exhibition, Macleans College, Auckland, NZ
The Affair of the Heart, Northcote College, Auckland, NZ
2007:
Christmas Show, The Artist's Room Gallery, Dunedin, NZ
Sale of Fine Arts, King's College, Auckland, NZ
Art Fusions 2007, Carmel College, Auckland, NZ
Exhibition of Fine Arts, Vauxhall School, Auckland, NZ
Exhibition of Contemporary Art, Kohia Terrace School, Auckland, NZ
Seven Artists, The Artist’s Room Gallery, Dunedin, NZ
Crossings 2007 , Uxbridge Gallery, Auckland, NZ
International Art Exhibition, Otorohonga, NZ
Midsummer Night’s Dream, Matakana Art House Cinema, Matakana, NZ
Adore, Haven Art Gallery, Waipu, NZ
2006 :
Celebration of Art, St Mary's College, Ponsonby, Auckland, NZ
Art Fusions 2006, Carmel College, Auckland, NZ
Art Ex, Southwell School, Hamilton, NZ
Sale of Fine Arts, King's College, Auckland, NZ
Art Exhibition 2005, Baradene College, Auckland, NZ
Exhibition of Contemporary Art, Kohia Terrace School, Auckland, NZ
Diocesan Art Works2006, Diocesan School, Auckland, NZ
2005 :
Christmas Show, The Artist's Room Gallery, Dunedin, NZ
Exhibition of Contemporary Art, Kohia Terrace School, Auckland, NZ
Art Exhibition 2005, Baradene College, Auckland, NZ
Sale of Fine Arts, King's College, Auckland, NZ
2004 :
An Auction of Art, Ceramco Park, Auckland, NZ
Art Exhibition 2004, Baradene College, Auckland, NZ
A Russian Encounter, Hyatt Hotel, Auckland, NZ
National Art Exhibition, Rotary Club, Otorohanga, NZ
2003 :
Get a Taste for Christmas with Donald Grant Sunderland, Corran School, Auckland, NZ
Art Exhibition 2003, Baradene College, Auckland, NZ
Icons, Letham Gallery, Ponsonby, Auckland, NZ
Summer Hanging, Grantham Galleries, Auckland, NZ
2002 :
Body Parts, Grantham Galleries, Auckland, NZ
Art Exhibition 2002, Baradene College, Auckland, NZ
Diocesan Art Works2002, Diocesan School, Auckland, NZ
Icons Windows of the Soul, St Luke's Church, Remuera, Auckland, NZ
Icons, Letham Gallery, Ponsonby, Auckland, NZ
Icons: Sacred and Profane, Ponsonby, Auckland, NZ
Nokia Art Awards - Asia Pacific, The Art Gallery, Silpakom University, Bangkok, Thailand
Summer Hanging, Chiaroscuro Gallery, Auckland City, NZ
2001 :
Feasts and Icons, Portfolio Gallery, Auckland, NZ
Banned Practice, Newmarket, Auckland, NZ
Art Goes Mainstreet, Remuera Shopping Centre, Auckland, NZ
Defused, Toshiba Towers, Auckland City, NZ
Art. What is it?, Newmarket, Auckland, NZ
In Art We Trust, Lake House, Takapuna, Auckland, NZ
Who is the Next?, North shore City, Auckland, NZ
For further information on art works and prices contact the artist or following galleries:
Dorothy Circus Gallery
Via dei Pettinari, 76 00186 Roma, Italy
ph: +39 338 9499432
info@dorothycircusgallery.com
The Artist’s Room
Level One, 2 Dowling Street, Dunedin, New Zealand
ph +64 3 474 1111
Flower Pepper Gallery
121East Union Street, Pasadena, CA, USA
+1 626-795-1895
