Shakira Velasquez-Malik is a recent Fine Art (BA) graduate from Central Saint Martins, Univeristy of the Arts London. Shakira's work explores the concept of colour as a language and her practice involves overlapping digital images to create alternative realities.

'My creative process is sporadic. As my of my work has a digital foundation I take digital images, videos or sounds and then later try to attach them to a concept I’ve been working on. Perhaps a concept may even come first from books I’ve read or movies I’ve seen. After I have the foundation, the ‘making’ process comes fast with enthusiasm to experiment. Then the process continues.'

Bankside Hotel x Contemporary Collective are thrilled to welcome portrait painter Julie Bennett to the Makers’ Studio as their summer Artist in Residence. In the studio from 21st June through 1st August, Julie will create a series of portrait paintings inspired by art icons who have influenced or inspired the artist’s life and practice.

Julie’s #BanksideArtIcons series will include a combination of both historical and contemporary art icons, in addition to a photoshop composite of the collection of art icons produced throughout the residency as a limited edition print available through DegreeArt. Painting both the famous and not so famous art icons, Julie hopes to provide the viewer with an insight into the artists’ lives from an educational and engaging approach. Overall, Julie aims to introduce viewers to the unknown faces of so many well known names of so many iconic artists.

Read the press release here