Painting Moments with Eliza Gosse
Eliza Gosse is an artist whose work explores the intersection of architecture and nostalgia; spaces, places and people, evocative of a moment in time.
Words: Cardia Speziale I Photography: Hande Renshaw
Eliza Gosse sources inspiration from vintage magazines, archives and family photographs—her studio walls lined with photographs and clippings.
Eliza Gosse in her new studio space in Darlington, Sydney.
‘Who doesn’t want to paint all day?! I completely love this job. I like running my own schedule, you don’t really have to rely on anybody (except your gallery when its exhibition time), it’s all on you – time management, running a business, painting.’
“The National Art School was such an amazing school for me—spending 5 years there really allowed me to build my practice. I’ve been so lucky that I’ve been able to paint as my profession ever since.”
‘There is of course lows and highs, sometimes you think you’re the best painter ever and other times it’s all terrible! Sometimes you’re in the zone and others you potter away the entire day moving things around on your pallet.’
‘I sourced [from 1980s magazines], they’re really slick from fashion shoots, beautiful girls sunbaking, boys posing in cool sunglasses and bomber jackets, smoking and rollerblading. Hoping they feel glossy and suggestive of the wealth and hedonism of Miami.’
‘Miami experienced a massive economic boom in the 1980s due to the capitol generated from Miami’s “cocaine cowboys” and their need for clean investments — this attracted young architects creating a fertile ground for exquisitely flamboyant and cutting-edge architectural projects.’
A corner in Eliza Gosse’s new studio space, Buon Gusto Studios .
Exploring life through the architectural lens of post-war and mid-century design, Sydney-based artist Eliza Gosse is drawn to painting people, places and moments from a bygone era. Muted colour palettes paired with details of real-life moments and relatable titles such as All My Friends Have White Walls And Beige Carpet and Pool Towels Are Softer At Tennis Clubs, work together to extend a warm welcome past the canvas and into the story, with the artist herself.
On a constant search for images of buildings, interiors, people and objects, Eliza sources inspiration from vintage magazines, archives and family photographs; a piece might feature a vase from her grandparents’ home, or a chair that she has seen in a magazine — depending on what captures her attention and drives motivation at the time. ‘I collect these things both physically and digitally sorting them into little folders to later include in my paintings,’ she says. Influenced by the work of artists such as Howard Arckley, Alex Katz, David Hockney and Fairfield Porter, Eliza’s work has today been recognised in one of Australia’s most prestigious art awards, The Archibald Prize.
Eliza’s oil on board titled Breakfast At Ours was a finalist in the 2023 Archibald. Not her first rodeo either — the dual portrait features a large cut-out of Eliza and her husband and designer Benjamin Jay Shand, who was the subject of her 2022 Archibald finalist portrait, Somewhere Near Home. The more recent work features the couple sitting beside each other in matching striped robes, ‘a cut-out of our weekend at sunrise,’ says Eliza, depicting a beautifully mundane moment so many might relate to.
‘The Archibald prize has been incredible for me, not only is it amazing to hang on the walls of the Art Gallery of NSW but a way to meet many people working in the institutions in Australia both in Sydney and regionally,’ says Eliza. ‘It’s given me a huge amount of exposure, allowed me to give talks and art classes at the institutions and is just a really exciting experience,’ she adds.
Wanting to pursue a career as an artist at a young age, Eliza embarked on a bachelor’s and master’s degree at the National Art School in NSW in 2015. Today, spending as much time as possible surrounded by her artistic muses and inspiring spaces — such as her new Darlington studio — is what drives her and keeps the creativity flowing.
‘In show I will be displaying both canvas works of Florida 1980s interiors and also some life size cut out figures. My process to create these starts with a small drawing of the figure, which I then hand cut and scan, they then get turned into an AutoCAD outline by Benj and his furniture maker laser cuts them for me at human scale. Once I have the wooden cut out I paint them in oil paints.’
Outside Eliza Gosse’s new creative studio space, Bun Gusto Studios, which she shares with her husband.
‘Time is always a fine balance. You want to say yes to every show and every opportunity, but you also need time to do the paintings and have time to feel like you can be creative and play. I find this difficult and often over commit myself.’
Work for Eliza Gosse’s upcoming solo show at Olsen Gallery.
‘I’ve always made my studio space a place that I want to be for hours, with magazine clippings pinned up, objects sourced from travels and a comfy armchair to perch yourself,’ reflects Eliza. ‘I was told by an artist I admire when I was young that even if you don’t pick up a brush just being in your creative space looking and thinking is work.’
The new studio space was once a much-loved local Italian restaurant, adorned with red checked tablecloths and murals of Sicilian landscapes. Having been closed for around 40 years, Eliza and Benjamin, embraced the challenge to clean up the space and rework the interiors to function as an artistic studio and house a number of other creatives, including Ben’s architectural practice, Studio Shand.
‘My space is in the old dining room with a beautiful wall of doors and windows giving me lots of natural light. Fun elements of the restaurant remain like the long bay seat down one wall which now houses my drying paintings and saloon doors that lead to the bathrooms,’ muses Eliza.
Looking ahead, Eliza has a solo show at Olsen Gallery on the 28th of May. She will also be participating in Sydney Contemporary in September and has a later show at Halcyon House in November. The exhibition in May is based on 1980s Miami, evoking scenes of menthol cigarette burns in an oversized amber glass ashtray, ice cold martini’s, salmon coloured walls, voyeuristic portholes and palm trees baking under the sun.
‘On a visit to Miami last year I found a collection of 1980s magazines titled Florida Design, leading to a fascination with this era,’ shares Eliza. ‘It’s going to be an exciting year ahead!’ she exclaims.