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Born in Mumbai, India, educated in Hong Kong and Sydney, Nafisa’s interest in the human condition is reflected strongly in her figurative works and portraits. She came first in 3 Unit Art for the Higher School Certificate and spent time studying medicine at the University of NSW, Fine Arts at Sydney University before turning to operating a successful fashion business for many years. In 1999 she applied for, and won, the Arthur Boyd Scholarship to the Julian Ashton Art School and since then has had work in over 80 group shows with over 40 awards and commendations to her credit. She is currently completing her Master of Fine Art degree at the National Art School, Sydney. Nafisa’s strength in portraiture is reflected in her work being represented in numerous portrait awards including the Portia Geach Memorial Award (2001, 2004, 2005), the Shirley Hannan Portrait Award (2000,-02, -03, -05), and was asked to judge in 2004 and again in 2006. Being one of 15 finalists in the 2002 American Society of Portrait Artists annual portrait prize at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York with the portrait of Salvatore Zofrea, and awarded a Certificate of Merit, Nafisa’s presence on the international stage continued as her portrait of Dr Karl Kruzselnicki was hung in Washington as one of the finalists in the Cromwell’s Art Prize 2004. Her 2003 Archibald entry, ‘A Woman of Substance’-portrait of entertainer Maria Venuti AM, was chosen for the Archibald Salon des Refuses. Together with numerous local portrait prizes, she won the Willoughby Art Prize with a drawing of Salvatore Zofrea (2002) and the Mosman Art Prize ‘People’s Choice’ (2003). Nafisa was chosen as one of the Australian artists to be represented in the prestigious Florence Biennale 2005 and was awarded a Bronze Medallion for her installation of portraits of family and friends titled”101 Australians”. She was also a finalist in Australia’s most important drawing award, the $20,000 acquisitive Dobell Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW, 2005. Her work is also held in many local and international private and corporate collections including the RADF 1st Commando Regiment, Country Energy BDA , Royal and Sun Alliance, Kelda Group UK, Aussie Home Loans, Hills Grammar Collection, and Burwood Press amongst others. Nafisa’s commitment to her art practise has been recognized as she was elevated to an Associate member of the Royal Art Society of New South Wales and teaches portraiture there, at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and at the Charles Sturt University. She is also a member of the Portrait Society of America and founder of Portrait Artists Australia. Now working from her studio in Headland Park, Georges Heights in Sydney, where she spends most of her time, her interests have also included the new environment which is part of the Sydney Harbour Trust foreshore development.
