Zali is a multidisciplinary artist based in Queensland who creates across a wide range of mediums—from digital art and watercolour to lino printing, ceramics, and oil painting. Her practice is ever-evolving, fuelled by curiosity, emotion, and a deep love for learning new creative skills. Zali’s work is heavily shaped by her experiences as a neurodivergent person and explores themes of identity, masking, mental health, and the fantasy worlds we create to survive.

Growing up in a creative family, Zali was always drawn to fairies, witches, magical creatures, and storytelling. As a kid, her imagination was her escape—and that never really changed. Art became the place where she felt most like herself, especially when the outside world felt overwhelming. During her final years of high school, Zali struggled with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, made even harder by the isolation of the pandemic. It wasn’t until after graduation, during a very difficult year, that she was diagnosed with autism and later ADHD. While it was a shock at first, the diagnosis gave Zali the language to understand herself and her experiences more fully—and it completely shifted the way she approached her art.

Since completing a Certificate III in Visual Arts in 2023, Zali has been building her confidence as an emerging artist. Zali graduated from Wesley Arts’ Creative Career program in 2025, where she learned skills in artwork merchandising, marketing, exhibition planning and installation. Currently, Zali is undertaking a Diploma of Visual Arts at South Bank Tafe.

In 2026, Zali joined the Brisbane Outsider Artist Studio at Access Arts to join a community of likeminded artists. Zali hopes her work helps others feel seen in their quietest, most honest moments—and reminds people that there’s power in softness, imagination, and embracing who you truly are.