Jai Vasicek

For 10 years Jai spent his childhood living the life of a ‘sea gypsy’ on a boat with his family. At just 18 he travelled the globe across Brazil, Africa, Mongolia, Indonesia, Europe and other parts of South America before returning to Australia at age 23. He opened his first gallery in Port Douglas, but after Cyclone Yasi hit in 2011, he took it as a sign and made the move down to Byron Bay.

Jai's work is a celebratory expression of art through mixed mediums. Drawing inspiration from his travels, his artworks feature vibrant colour with layers of print and pattern inspired by the sea and forest, exotic creatures, bold motifs, religious iconography and evocative female forms from polynesian beauties to ocean sirens.

'For me, creating beautiful things for people is such a gift. I think if I couldn't exist being creative I might as well be dead! I'm just so happy that I am able to create and paint and deliver a story every day'