© Photo courtesy of Tammie Pittwood Photography

I am a New Zealand artist who lives and works in New Plymouth.

 

My early work was largely print-oriented though I enjoyed experimenting with many media. In 1996 at 17 I was chosen to design the New Zealand 45c Health stamp and the cover of the ‘Young Achievers’ magazine. In 2001 I graduated from Auckland Universities Maori Arts department Te Toi Hou, where I studied under two iconic New Zealand artists; Brett Graham and Selwyn Muru.

 

Many solo exhibitions followed, each expressing a yearning to preserve the fragility of memory as well as delving into my deep fascination with history and my Maori heritage.

 

After moving to Perth, Western Australia I was represented by the Murano & Gullotti Gallery and my first painting based on a Victorian cabinet card; ‘Forget Me Not’ was chosen as a finalist for the 2010 Albany Art Prize.

 

In 2012 I was welcomed into Linton & Kay Galleries. My first exhibition with this gallery ‘Flights of Fancy’ (2013) was inspired by Edwardian childhood and “Gazing Where the Lilies Blow;” (2016) a selection of works celebrating iconic women opened on International Women's Day.

 

I returned to New Zealand in 2013 and in 2014 was awarded an honorary ambassadorship and exhibited in Paris.

 

From 2016 onwards my art practice slowed as I concentrated on IVF and my painting based on this experience ‘Reflections on a Grey Room’ won both the TSB Community Trust Painting & People's Choice Awards at the 2017 Taranaki National Art Awards.

 

In January 2018 I welcomed my Son Peregrine and have spent the past few years concentrating on my most special, ever growing and changing creation.

 

I am in the process of adding a beautiful studio onto my villa in New Plymouth and look forward to returning to my art practice and exhibiting again soon.