View Gala's Art Work | Exhibitions | Publications | Contact Gala

Introduction

Born in the central european country of Slovakia, Galina (Gala) Kirke now lives in New Zealand where she teaches Art at Christchurch Girls High School in Christchurch. Her work mainly revolves around “Celebrity worship Syndrome” - Today’s society phenomenon.

Artist statement:
“81 percent of British women, according to a recent survey, defined physical perfection as having the face and breasts of Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jennifer Aniston’s hair, Kylie Minogue’s bum and Victoria Beckham’s legs.”
(Sunday Star*Times Magazine, 29/8/2004, p.20)

The desire to achieve physical perfection has become today’s phenomenon and is effecting a large proportion of the western population. The pressure to become “perfect” has never been stronger.

Those most effected by this unachievable perfection, that set unhealthy expectations on themselves, are young girls. The young teenager/the fan, who is not able to distinguish real from fantasy. Through her eyes, I portray an obsession with perfectionism the public has developed in recent years. The uniqueness is a rare quality. We all participate in the modern culture of Celebrity Worship Syndrome and I explore this delusion through my art.

Gala's Art Work

Exhibitions