Biography
Sheetol Chawla is an Auckland-based artist whose practice explores cultural memory, identity, spirituality, mythology, and the relationships between people, histories, and nations.
Her major bodies of work include EOS, inspired by Greek goddess of dawn; Black Lioness, inspired by the power and symbolism of the goddess Kaali; REINGA, a work informed by the Māori understanding of Te Rerenga Wairua and the spiritual journey of the wairua; also an ongoing research project (untitled yet) exploring history, architecture, and cultural legacy through the legacy of the Medici family.
Chawla’s work has received recognition through the Hokonui Fashion Design Award, the French Fashion Award, and the World Design Award at Miss World. However, her practice extends beyond individual exhibitions or accolades. Her long-term vision is the creation of a permanent artistic archive dedicated to cultural exploration, historical storytelling, and diplomacy through art—an evolving body of work that seeks to build connections between nations, preserve cultural knowledge, and contribute to future generations.
1980
Born in Delhi, India, in 1980, she was raised in an environment shaped by strong family values, artistic expression, cultural traditions, and spiritual beliefs. From an early age, creativity formed a natural part of daily life. During her school years she developed a passion for drawing, painting, handcraft, textiles, and design, creating works that ranged from charcoal portraits and paintings to self-initiated artistic projects using diverse materials and techniques. Her early fascination with fashion was inspired by the emergence of Indian designer Ritu Beri, whose work expanded her understanding of creativity as a professional pursuit.
2002
In 2002, Chawla completed postgraduate studies in the arts in India while also undertaking training in interior design and computer technologies. She subsequently worked as an interior designer, developing a deeper understanding of space, structure, proportion, and visual storytelling.
2015
A significant turning point came in 2015 when she immigrated to Aotearoa New Zealand following her marriage to entrepreneur Harry Chawla. Like many migrants, she experienced the challenge of rebuilding a sense of identity while adapting to a new country, culture, and way of life. During this period she returned to painting, undertaking commissioned portrait work and later working as an in-house artist at Soljans Estate Winery. While these experiences allowed her to continue creating, she remained in search of a medium capable of uniting her interests in art, culture, craftsmanship, storytelling, and human experience.
2018
That turning point arrived in 2018 when she enrolled in a fashion programme after a trial course encouraged by her husband. The experience revealed a creative language that felt instinctively aligned with her lifelong interests. She continued her studies at Auckland University of Technology, graduating in 2022.
2023
In 2023, Chawla established her studio in central Auckland, marking the beginning of a dedicated long-term artistic practice. Since then, she has focused on creating ambitious research-driven bodies of work that investigate cultural narratives, mythology, history, spirituality, and collective memory. Through extensive research and highly detailed handcraftsmanship, her projects seek to create meaningful dialogue between cultures while contributing to a broader understanding of humanity’s shared heritage.