Hello, thanks for taking the time to view my artwork.
My paintings are emotional landscapes—layered, intuitive, and deeply connected to the subconscious. I don’t work from plans; I follow feeling. Each mark, splash, and gesture is a reflection of dream-states, memory, and the quiet language of the soul.
Working in layers allows me to explore the complexity of being human—how we carry joy, chaos, longing, and freedom all at once. My process is meditative and expressive, a surrender to what wants to emerge. I create not to explain, but to offer space: for reflection, emotion, and connection.
To me, art is nourishment. It’s food for the soul—raw, honest, and alive.
Quote from Artland
"Artist biography: Peter Bastaja is a contemporary artist considered well established, Peter Bastaja was born in 1952. Artists like Ng Bee, Julian Bell, Ilona Brekte, Frederick Bunsen, and Don Voisine were also born in 1952. Further Biographical Context for Peter Bastaja Born in 1952, Peter Bastaja was primarily influenced by the distinctive cultural milieu of 1970s. The 1970s were a period of consolidation and progress in the arts, most often defined as a response to the central strains of the preceding decade. Conceptual art emerged as a key movement, a partial evolution of and response to minimalism. "
The venerable Tate has defined abstract art as such - 'Abstract art is art that does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of a visual reality but instead uses shapes, colours, forms and gestural marks to achieve its effect.'
My career as an artist is diverse, I have indulged my passion in both painting and photography over many years always creating visually appealing artworks. I have had the good fortune to have exhibited and sold my original artworks around the world. I have lived in wonderful countries such as South Africa, Hong Kong, England, Germany, Denmark and of course Australia. I have worked as an artist, freelance photographer and photography teacher.
My first solo exhibition was unusually in Johannesberg, South Africa , interestingly as I am a Sydney boy. This was followed by a sold out solo show in Copenhagen, Denmark. I was also invited to exhibit in Italy at the 2009 Biennale Internazionale Dell Arte Contemporanea, Florence. New York, USA followed and naturally numerous shows in Australia in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane over the years. There is no doubt my extensive travels have had a profound influence on my life and style as an artist. I am currently based at home in Queensland, on the Sunshine Coast.