Alanya van de Wiel
A Lake Macquarie based artist originally from Melbourne, Alanya is intrigued by the idea of art providing a mystical and alchemical experience for both the artist and viewer. She is inspired by trail blazing modernist artists such as Georgia O’Keefe, the esoteric work Hilma af Klint and the rich symbolism and magic of the pagan polish folk art of her ancestry.
With qualifications in Visual Art, Animation, Counselling and Art therapy she is a widely exhibited artist and has been a finalist in several fine art prizes. She brings experience in mural design and fine art works that respond to nature’s beauty and emphasise spirituality and ancestral heritage as a way of responding to our modern, consumerist, artificial culture. As our worlds become more technologically dominated, the role of art making as an immersive, physical, emotionally engaging process is becoming more significant to our well-being and deeper humanity.
Alanya is passionate about bringing like minded people together to connect and grow and runs the Newcastle Artist Collective, as well as providing private tailored consultations and therapeutic art facilitation. These services have resulted in much joy and growth and have enhanced her own life and creative practice tremendously
“My art practice is guided by a desire to create spaces of protection, reflection, and connection. I work with themes of ancestry, lineage, spirituality, and belonging, drawing deeply on my Polish and Dutch heritage. From Polish folk art I inherit the use of plants, animals, and ritual motifs as sacred symbols of protection and resilience. From my Dutch side I carry the tradition of dolls’ houses, where the home is imagined as a sacred, magical space. Childhood memories of building fairy houses and my Opa’s handmade dolls’ house built from recycled timber continue to shape my sense of wonder and reverence for imagination, play, and sanctuary.
I create Spirit Houses and sculptural works from recycled timber, embedding windows and talisman such as wishbones, and birds as symbolic invitations into inner worlds. My art seeks to honour silenced stories, particularly those of my female lineage, while exploring cycles of transformation, including the era of the crone. Ultimately, my work offers viewers moments of stillness and connection — a reminder of our bond with nature, spirit, and one another.”
Prizes
2025, LITTLE THINGS ART PRIZE, Finalist
2025, Mac Yapang Art Prize, Finalist
2023, Hunter Emerging Art Prize, Finalist
2022, Blackstone Gallery Art Prize, Finalist
Solo Exhibitions
2023 BIRDS, Good Brother, 40 King St Newcastle, NSW, Australia
2022 BIRDS, SMAC Space Studio, Tighes Hill, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
2021 MOON, Art Systems Wickham, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Exhibitions
2025, SILVER & COLD, Wester Gallery, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
2025, BOTANICAL, Newcastle Art Space, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
2025, STILL SHE RISES, Pseudonym Gallery, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
2025, SHADOW, Pseudonym Gallery, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
2025, AZIMUTH, The Owens Collective, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
-
2024 ORNAMENT, Leda Gallery, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
2024 AESTHETE, Leda Gallery, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
2024, CASH, CARRY, CLAIM, The Creator Incubator, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
2024 REVEAL, The Owens Collective, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
-
2023 REALM, The Owens Collective, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
2023 Hunter Emerging Artist Prize Finalist, Newcastle Art Space, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
2023 The After, Art Systems Wickham, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
-
2022 ASW Gallery Christmas Exhibition, Art Systems Wickham, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
2022 Newcastle Art Space, The Build Up, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
2022 Newcastle Art Space, Flood, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
-
2021 Newcastle Art Space, This Is It: End of Year Exhibition, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
2021 ASW Gallery Christmas Exhibition, Art Systems Wickham, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
-
2020 ASW Gallery Christmas Exhibition, Art Systems Wickham, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
2020 Blue, Works on Paper Prize Finalist, Blackstone Gallery, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
2020 Open Studio Exhibition, Private Solo Show at Artist’s Home Studio, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
2020 Newcastle Emerging Artist Prize Finalist, Newcastle Art Space, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
2020 Willful, Exhibiting as part of The Ateliers, The Showroom, Islington, Newcastle, NSW.
2020 Mistress, Blackstone Gallery, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Press
2021 Art/Edit, Art Mood Spread: Alanya van de Wiel
Education
Post Graduate Degree Counselling, LaTrobe University, Melbourne, 2017
Post Graduate Degree Art Therapy, LaTrobe University, Melbourne, 2008
Post Graduate Degree Animation, The Victorian College of The Arts (VCA), Melbourne, 2000
Certificate in Art and Design, The Northland School of Design, Melbourne, 1999
Arts Degree Major in Psychology, The University of Melbourne, 1998