Visting Artist a Former Girls' High Student
NINA PIYASHEVA, BFA. EX- PUPIL, ARTIST
I felt pretty lucky to have this opportunity to come back to the school I've studied at, and be able to give something back. Mrs Steele was my English teacher, who struggled with me for two years, by the end of which my English was good enough - I didn't even need assistance with my essay writing in college. She was very patient with me, and I wanted to express my appreciation in some way.
But beyond that, I'm interested in portraying mundane reality through painting (society, the individuals it's made up of, body language, daily interactions that make up our day, our lives). For example, an ESOL class consists of a group of girls with different ethnic and cultural backgrounds; yet they're all together in this classroom with a teacher, learning to communicate a language foreign to their own; and they have to come to this class every day, and sit and work together. And at this time, that's what their life is! I've been there, and didn't like it then, but looking back now I am truly grateful for those classes, and by painting a mural of that class, express its significance.
Nina Piyasheva
This is a mural and not a photo!! (Artist:Nina Piyasheva)
Nina came to HGHS in 2002 from Siberia in Russia. She entered the 6th form (Y12) and spent the next two years learning how to communicate in English in the ESOL department. Nina graduated from Whitecliffe College of Art and Design in 2007 and returned to Hamilton Girls for two weeks to give our senior painters the benefit of her experience and show them how the creative process might develop. The Art Department would like to thank Mrs Baxter for her support in bringing Nina back and also the Hamilton Community Arts Council for their ‘Inspire’ program. Nina accepts private commissions and gives private tutoring and can be contacted on npiyasheva@gmail.com
