Kia Ora! I’m Eliza Ward, a recent graduate of a Bachelor of Design, specialising in Applied Visual Art. Born and raised in Tauranga, I work across a range of art forms and mediums, guided by a curiosity for both material and meaning.

My current practice centres on large-scale charcoal drawings of porcelain dolls, a subject I have become deeply absorbed in. My latest works from my graduate exhibition, First Word and Second Silence, stand just under two metres tall and 90cm wide. These pieces explore ideas of human design and comfort, positioning the dolls as vessels for emotion, memory, and identity.

Alongside my fine art practice, I work freelance in graphic design and digital illustration. Moving between digital and physical processes keeps my work dynamic, with each informing and enriching the other.

In 2025, I undertook an internship with Chambers Gallery in Christchurch. This professional experience allowed me to develop practical skills in gallery installation, artwork handling and packaging, as well as managing website updates. It also provided valuable insight into the day-to-day operations of a contemporary gallery space.

Between charcoal works, I am also developing an up-cycled fashion brand that incorporates screen printing. This project brings my art into an everyday context, while embracing sustainability by reworking existing materials and giving them new life.

I’m open to exhibition opportunities and commissions across graphic design, fashion design, illustration, and charcoal drawing. I am eager to connect with other artists who share a passion for their craft!