Press Release | Ziril Starrz | Director

Rockhampton owner and arts director of Diamond Arcania School of  Arts, Ziril Heartzen Starrz is hosting his final exhibition Fantasopia: Winds of the Night, on Friday 8 September at the Walter Reid Cultural Centre Rockhampton.

This exhibition showcases watercolour paintings exploring themes of identity and environment, through the utilisation of natural elements and various flora.

The name Fantasopia comes from a combination of fantasy and utopia which highlights the therapeutic arts practice and style Ziril focuses on within his artworks.

"It's a tranquil little space that brings attention to relationships between humans and nature when the sun sets," he said.

"Various energies who resonate with art and diverse philosophies would enjoy the artwork."

The biggest artwork in the collection is held close to Ziril's heart,"...and as the story goes..." valued at $250,000 tells the story of a seeker finding out his own truth and coming to terms with the rejection of his family after coming out as homosexual.

After meeting a gypsy and receiving a tarot card reading he experiences a series of events that leads him to feeling understood.

"Each card represents a different part of the story, traditional relationships and how he wasn't attracted to women, balance with justice, happy endings and the oracle who shows finding peace," he said.

Ziril wants this final exhibition to be celebration of the success he has garnered from becoming a national school of arts program.

His school of arts will no longer be running and has no plans of re opening in the future.

"This is the final collection, Forever and Perfect Eternity, the Story of Forever," he said.

"I'm happy to finish this off on a high note, all of my artworks will be moved online now."

The exhibition will also include  an 'art guild' with an auction provided by local auctioneer experts at the Regent.

The artist is in collaboration with other talents from around Australia, including John Burgur, Sydney, New South Wales and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists who will be on display and avvailable for purchase on the night of the event.

Ziril has been working with international photographer Melissa Mills who has assisted in elevating some of the artworks, by adding certain lighting to bring the creations to life.

The artist has been able to give some students from Rockhampton State High School a platform to perform.

"Some of the young people I've spoken with said they were keen to perform but had no platform to be able to showcase what they can do," he said.

Creating these artworks provide Ziril with a space to explore concepts and philosophies that have helped him come to terms with himself and who he is.

"It's like an awakening, being comfortable in my own ski, and being able to showcase that is really what this final exhibition is about," he said.