About
Maja Sereda is a multidisciplinary artist who immerses herself in the world of abstraction, fiber arts, and highly detailed drawings. Throughout her life, nature has unfailingly been her refuge, a steadfast source of solace, and an anchor for inner peace.
After studying graphic design at University of Pretoria and working as an art director in advertising agencies, both in South Africa and Ireland, Maja became an award-winning book illustrator. She has illustrated more than 20 books with many major publishers including Penguin Random House, Maskew Miller Longman, Oskar Editeur, Tafelberg & Lapa Publishers. Amongst others, she won the Crystal Kite award in 2011 and the Katrine Harries Award for best illustration for 2010. In 2012, she was also invited to illustrate a book with a French author, Yves Pinguilly titled La Grande Fleur (The Big Flower), followed by an invitation to Salon du Livre fair in Paris, France and La Reunion, where she showcased her books and led art workshops for children.
With the outbreak of COVID, she began teaching drawing classes online. By investing deeply in her students’ work through highly individualized feedback, research and demonstrations, she nurtured an online community of over 250 artists.
Now based in Seattle, with a deep passion for nature, Maja has founded Guardians of the Jungle, a creative project which aims to save endangered wildlife and protect precarious ecosystems.
SOLO SHOWS:
“Wild Guardians” at Elisabeth C Miller Library, Seattle, June 01 - 28, 2024
“Deep Listening” at Sparklebarn Gallery, Ballard, June 2024
Art of Coffee, Kirkland, WA, September - November 2023.
Third Building, Seattle, WA Sept 01 - Oct 31, 2022.
Third Culture Bellevue, WA Apr 01 - May 31, 2022.
Dubsea Coffee, WA - February 2021.
Third Culture Seattle, WA Sept 01 - Oct 01, 2020
Third Culture Bellevue, WA Mar 01 - April 11, 2020
Home Reimagined @Kirkland Library, WA Dec 13 2019 - February 14, 2020
GROUP SHOWS:
Museum of Northwest Art Benefit Auction, La Conner, May 24 - June 9, 2024
Artist Trust 2024 Benefit Auction, Axis Gallery, Seattle, Mar 7 - 24, 2024
“Time capsule” at Vestibule Gallery, Ballard, Feb 24 - Mar 9, 2024
“Wild Cure” curated by Esther Loopstra & Tara Flores at Slip Gallery, Belltown, Feb 7 - Mar 2, 2024
“Plantasia Home Lab. Passing by is no longer an option” curated by Artma at Yuan Ru Gallery, Bellevue, Sept 9 - October 30, 2023
“The truth is out there” curated by Strega Gallery at the Slip Gallery, July 7 - 29, 2023.
“Open Green House” curated by Artma, Factoria, WA June 10 - August 27, 2023.
“Bird, Nest, Nature” curated by Bedford Gallery, California, June 2020.
EAFA Juried Members Exhibition August 03 - November 22, 2020. Marymoor Heronry 2019 won First Prize
“Fantastical Worlds”, Blakely Hall, Issaquah, WA, September 2017.
Online group show curated by Eggers Gallery, September 2017.
Illustration exhibition, Gerard Sekoto Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa, July 2012.
Figurative oil painting show, Johannesburg, South Africa, September 2006.
Education & Experience:
Sitka Center for Art & Ecology - guest artist for arts literacy school program, Oregon, Feb 16 - 28, 2024
Field research in the Amazonian jungle at Hoja Nueva, Madre de Dios, Peru, July 10 - 31, 2023
Field research in the Amazonian jungle with Junglekeepers, Madre de Dios, Peru, Aug 3 - 11, 2023
Ty Nathan Clark mentorship program, May - July 2023
Ba (Information Design), University of Pretoria, South Africa, 1998 - 2001