Leila Ataya

LEILA ATAYA Leila Ataya Leila Ataya is Russian-born but coincidentally holds historical family ties to the Corban Estate. With encouragement and recommendations from members of the extended Corban family, to whom she is related, Leila and her family immigrated to New Zealand 10 years ago, attracted to the free and pure lifestyle that New Zealand offers. As a young adult in Russia, Leila had the opportunity to study traditional Russian arts and gained a background in (the) classical drawing and painting (disciplines). After immigrating to New Zealand, Leila completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Elam and she has presented numerous successful joint and solo exhibitions since then. Her recent exhibitions include a self-titled show at the Waitakere City Council in 2004, ‘Checkmate’ at the Letham Gallery 2003 and ‘The Family’, Letham Gallery 2002. Leila’s work is beautifully and intricately detailed, whether presented in oils, acrylics or watercolor and exhibits a delicate feminine dialogue through cultured symbolism and suggestion. “I enjoy the psychological play of objects that remind viewers of personal experiences”. As a tutor, Leila values the importance of learning classical techniques and realistic basics from which creativity can emerge. She particularly enjoys witnessing her adult students grow in confidence and skill and finds inspiring the ‘un-spoilt’ creative expression that children possess.