Sikelela in studio
London born (1984) artist Sikelela, known to her friends and family as Ziggy, is a graduate of Chelsea College of Art and Design (2009) and the Royal Academy (2012). A multi-award winner, she is the recipient of The Elephant Lab residency award (2019), Dover Street Arts Club award (2011), Richard Ford Award (2010) and Prado Museum Travel and Drawing Award, Madrid Spain (2010) and Nichol Young Foundation Award (2009).
David
Oil on Canvas Paper 51×36 cm
David ( as Olympia)
Oil on Canvas 200×160 cm
Sikelela work has been exhibit in the United Kingdom and abroad including solo exhibitions with James Freeman Gallery London (2019), ‘Love, Eat, Sleep, Repeat’ at HSBC Canada Place London (2017) and the NAM Project Milan ‘ People Everyday’ (2014). Her work is part of the collections of Robert Hiscox, London and HG Capital, London and she has been written about in various publications including, in 2014, Thames and Hudson publication of 100 Painters of Tomorrow, in 2013, two publications were done by iBook 100 London Artists (Vol. 1) by Elizabeth Beecher Publishing and a-n.co.uk review ‘Young Gods’ and the 2011 ‘Arts’ by The Telegraph – Newspaper and Online News.
“Even though I tend to work in very muted colours, I do think about colour a lot”
Sikelela Owen speaking to Elephant Lab
As an artist Ziggy predominately works and explores the intimate themes of family and friends. Her figures are often found in relaxed; enjoying leisurely pursuits. Scenes which are familiar and intimate and yet aloof. Painted in muted colours, Sikelela’s work is focused and stripped of any sense of sentimentality, subtly empowering and imbuing her figures with a sense of strength and belonging.
Image above: Playtime (Viv and Ike) Oil on Canvas 117×169 cm
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
2009-2012 Postgraduate Diploma In Fine Art Royal Academy Schools, London
2003-2009 BA Hons Fine Art (Painting) Chelsea College of Art and Design, London
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
Upcoming January 2019 Sikelela Owen , James Freeman Gallery , London
2017 Love, Eat , Sleep, Repeat , HSBC Canada Place , London
2014 People Everyday NAM Project, Milan
2014 Everyday People Norman Rea Gallery. University of York, York
2006 Nyacomba Vernon Mills, Manchester
School Daze
Oil on Canvas 117×169 cm
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2018 Muse, James Freeman Gallery , London
2015 100 Painters of Tomorrow Beer Gallery, London
2015 Good Figures The Mall Gallery,London;Jerwood Space,West Sussex
2015 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Gesso Arts Space, Vienna, Austria
2014 Portrait Show, curated by Andreas Reiter Gesso Arts Space, Vienna, Austria
2013 Anthology Charlie Smith, London
2013 Young Gods Part 1 curated by Zavier Ellis Griffin Gallery, London
2012 FBA Futures The Mall Gallery, London
2012 Schools Summer Show Royal Academy of the Arts, London
2011 The Summer Exhibition Royal Academy of School, London
AWARDS AND RESIDENCIES
2019 Elephant Lab , London
2011 Dover Streets Arts club award, London
2010 Richard Ford Award – Prado Museum travel and drawing award, Madrid
2009-2012 Nichol Young Foundation Awards, London
PRESS AND PUBLICATION
2014 100 Painters of Tomorrow by Thames and Hudson
2013 iBook 100 London Artists Volume 1 by Elizabeth Beecher Publishing
2013 Young Gods 2012, a-n .co.uk review
2011 Arts, The Telegraph, Newspaper and online news
COLLECTIONS
Robert Hiscox, London
HG Capital, London