About the Artist

Vanessa Allegra’s work examines womanhood in its many naked, quiet forms, showing society's ‘imperfect’ as simply normal. Her paintings are explorations in luscious colour and thick brush strokes, always hinting at something deeper. Something combining feminism with memory and flesh, and always marked by the distinctive harsh sunlight typical of the Australian coastline where Vanessa grew up. Lately, critics have noted parallels between Vanessa Allegra’s drawings and those of Gustav Klimt and Picasso. Though where theirs might objectify, Vanessa’s work takes ownership of the female body back, returning it to women.
 

“I draw women who have been paid fairly to bare their skin for life drawing purposes. I draw women who feel strong enough and empowered enough to bare themselves to me. And I often draw women without faces so that we cannot identify her, rather, we can identify with her. I draw the form I find most comfort in - my own.” - Vanessa Allegra

Vanessa studied drawing and grisaille techniques at the Brisbane Atelier and has been largely self-taught ever since. She spends her spare time with various rescued animals, fixing up an elegant old boat to use as a studio.