Just five years ago, Alexandra Johnson — now known to the art world as Zara Muse — was quietly painting in her kitchen during lockdown, coaxing vibrant landscapes and abstract portraits out of grief. Today, her works are commanding high-ticket prices at international auctions and attracting a constellation of collectors, from celebrities to hoteliers.
Zara Muse, the artistic alter ego of Johnson, has rapidly become one of the UK’s most sought-after contemporary artists. Her textured, three-dimensional paintings — crafted exclusively with a palette knife and spatula — explore themes of nature, human connection, and the emotional contours of the female experience. Her bold, vibrant palette conveys a visceral warmth, even when her subject matter delves into memory and emotion.
Image courtesy of Grove Gallery
While Muse’s passion for art has been lifelong, her journey to recognition is steeped in personal loss and resilience. In 2017, her mother, Janet, was diagnosed with cancer. Zara became her primary caregiver. Janet passed away on 18 February 2019 — a seismic event that shifted Muse’s life entirely. “Caring for my mother, who was battling cancer, and raising my children solo left little room for my hobbies,” Muse said in an interview.
Though she had built a successful career in finance, Zara had long hesitated to share her artwork publicly. It wasn’t until 2023 — encouraged by her children and a newfound sense of purpose — that she officially debuted as Zara Muse. The response was immediate and extraordinary.
During the pandemic, art became her refuge. Encouraged by her children, she began to share her creations publicly for the first time. Adopting the moniker Zara Muse, she debuted in 2023. What followed was a groundswell of attention — and acclaim. “Art has always been integral to my life,” she shares. “I come from an artistic family where painting and drawing were not just encouraged but woven into our fabric of everyday life.”
Zara Muse
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Her background in finance once made her an unlikely candidate for the art world, but her dual fluency in business and emotion has only sharpened her ascent. As her cousin — a world-renowned street artist — cheered her on behind the scenes, Zara carved out a voice all her own. “My art is a homage to the resilience and beauty of women.”
Muse, the artistic alter ego of Alexandra Johnson, has developed a distinct visual language rooted in texture, emotion, and female strength. Her palette-knife paintings — rich with dimensionality and bold colour — have found an eager audience among collectors and institutions alike.
In an art market that often pivots on hype and heritage, Muse’s meteoric ascent feels refreshingly organic — and no less impressive. In just over a year, the artist has gone from debuting in independent galleries to commanding five-figure sums at major auction houses, positioning herself as one of the most collectible new names on the scene.
The numbers tell the story:
In Her Own Light (2023) sold for £33,750 at Tate Ward Auctions in September 2024
The Shape of Stillness (2024) achieved £47,500 at the same house in December. Today April 3rd, 2025, Muse debut at Bonhams London with a portrait of Malala Yousafzai featured in the 20th/21st Century Art Day Sale which went under the hammer for £51,200 a career-defining milestone for the artist.
Image courtesy of Bonhams
Today, her works are not only featured in galleries and auction houses, but in luxury spaces and private collections worldwide. Still, for Zara, the canvas remains sacred ground — a space where loss turns to beauty, and silence becomes strength.
©2025 Zara Muse
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