Vibrant whimsy unleashed

Alice Snow’s first serious introduction to the art scene came during high school, where her work evolved from hyper-realistic art to a more creative and design focused style. Alice initially gained recognition by posting her photography on Tumblr while periodically promoting her prints and stickers. The overwhelming response she received propelled Alice to open an online business on Etsy in 2015.

Early influences include her uncle Mark, a fine line artist, and renowned artist Gary Baseman. But a vastly significant influence is Albertus Seba’s prized natural history book, Cabinet of Natural Curiosities.

“It contains all manner of plant and animal specimens from around the world. The heavy line work, shading, and etching fascinated me, and have long been a source of inspiration. All of my tattoos are from that book and I’m so excited to be able to represent a twist on his work at the Refinery ArtSpace.”

Describing her own work, Alice admits, can be challenging. “I think my art is very colourful, very playful, very cheeky, sometimes inappropriate, and a little bit strange!” She draws inspiration from items and objects she encounters, which often evoke an emotional response. “A lot of times I see particular things and immediately know what I can turn them into.” Her medium of choice is gouache with fine line pen.

“I definitely don’t take it too seriously. Some pieces have a story, but I’m mostly inspired by what I see, what I think is fun.” One of Alice’s artworks, featured on the cover July's Nelson Magazine, is titled ‘You wanna piece of me?’

You can read the July edition of Nelson Magazine here.

“The original text was just a play on words, do you want a piece of me, as in cake, or do you wanna piece of ME - as in a stance. It was a fun one to do!” Alice explains.

Alice’s upcoming solo exhibition, A Cabinet of Unnatural Curiosities, is set to open in mid-July.

Inspired by the rich tradition of curiosity cabinets and taxonomy, the exhibition is an immersive exploration into a world where whimsy meets the macabre. Mythical creatures and plants come to life in vivid colour and intricate details. “This series invites viewers to delve into a realm where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur.”

It presents a contemporary, playful twist on the traditional concept, exploring the artist’s most imaginative and favoured ideas.

Alice says the Refinery holds a special place in her artistic journey, “serving as both a starting point and now a homecoming. My first group show here in 2015 marked a significant milestone in my career, and I'm excited to return with my first true gallery solo exhibition showcasing my growth.”