This exhibition marks an important step in Ari’s artistic growth. Preparing for it became a space of exploration and refinement, drawing inspiration from nature, churches, and the layered language of metaphor and simile. The series Nature vs Nurture reflects a fusion of scientific curiosity and artistic expression, capturing complex emotional landscapes including anxiety and unrequited friendship. Another standout, Self Portrait, reimagines the tattoos on Ari’s body into distinctive and visually striking works.

As a self-taught artist, Ari embraces experimentation across techniques and styles, allowing each piece to evolve through process as much as intention. There is a deep personal imprint in the work, where making becomes just as meaningful as the final outcome. Ari takes pride in the journey so far and the growth it represents.

The Cumulative Works of Ari unfolds as both a collection and a narrative, tracing the evolution of an artist and the person behind the practice, with a quiet sense that this is only the beginning of what’s to come.  

About the artist

Aria Smile is a 22-year-old emerging artist whose work is deeply shaped by her lived experiences and global perspective. By the age of 20, she had lived across four continents and travelled to six additional countries, continuously drawing inspiration from the people, places, and cultures she encounters. Her practice reflects an ongoing curiosity about the world and a desire to translate those experiences into visual form.

Refusing to be confined to a single identity, Aria embraces a multidisciplinary approach. Often described as a ‘jack of all trades,’ she balances her passion for art with academic pursuits, currently undertaking postgraduate studies in Environment and Sustainability after completing her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Melbourne. Her scientific background informs much of her work, particularly in her series Nature vs Nurture, where biological concepts are used to explore deeply personal and emotional themes.

While Aria enjoys experimenting across a range of mediums, her primary focus is acrylic painting on canvas. That said, her creativity extends beyond traditional formats, often spilling onto walls and even clothing. She describes her style as grounded in realism, with a subtle infusion of whimsy.

In 2022, Aria presented her exhibition Circus, a body of work that reinterpreted the symbolism of the circle as a reflection of her evolving self-identity. From this exhibition, her photographic piece Dancing Ribbons was selected for display in Glen Iris, marking an early milestone in her artistic journey.