Venessa Kaiser’s journey to Aesthesis

Venessa at work at Art Battle Dhaka 2018. Photo: courtesy

22-year old Venessa Kaiser has been scribbling her world on paper, since she was three. Her artistic style is unique, blending surrealism and nihilism in both acrylic and digital art. Venessa was the winner of Bangladesh's first ever Art Battle in July 2018.

"Art is a coping mechanism for me," says Venessa, who is an undergraduate Architecture student at North South University. "I am intrigued by the intangible and fluctuating views on life, death and purpose." The artist, who battles mental health issues on a regular basis, says that art helps her immensely during the times when she is down.

Photo: Shahrear kabir heemel

Venessa Kaiser grew up in an artistic household, taking cues from her father, Taraq Kaiser, a famed stained glass artist and graphics designer. "Even though my father never forced me into art, he brought me art supplies when I was a kid. He gave me the freedom to choose my own path, and I chose to be an artist," she says. As a self-taught artist, Venessa is adept with many mediums of art, including sculpting, welding and graphics design. In 2012 and 2013, she achieved world highest marks in Art in her O Levels and A Levels respectively.

Venessa operates as an artist on social media platforms with her page, 'Aesthesis'. Apart from the art that she makes for herself, she does commission work regularly, often giving bland office spaces and cafés  a distinct personality with her creativity.  Moving forward, Venessa is adamant on mastering all the nuances of what would propel her to be one of the most versatile artists in the industry. "There's a long way to go, but I have given everything to art, and I will continue to do so for as long as I can," she says.