About the Artist/Artist Statement
Currently based in Christchurch, New Zealand. (b.1990)
​
​I have always been drawn to nature as a source of inspiration and I particularly enjoy painting organic and floral forms. This, in combination with my interest in East Asian art and philosophy serve as the basis of inspiration and subject matter for my painting practice.
​
I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting in 2011 and a Master of Arts in Art History in 2016 from the University of Canterbury. My work became more abstract during my art school years as I began to explore sacred geometry and the spiritual in art. For my Master's degree I specialised in East Asian Art History, which developed my knowledge of how Buddhist practices and concepts, in particular, were explored and expressed in art, and this has become a primary influence for the ideas behind my practice more recently.
​
The 'Basic Goodness' series is inspired by a term used in Shambhala Buddhism to describe innate human wisdom and the potential to achieve enlightenment, and examines the connection and interaction between the inner and outer worlds in realising this. I have derived the silhouette of Shakyamuni, the ‘earth touching’ Buddha from traditional Tibetan Thangka painting and have paired this back to an essential or ‘basic’ form, symbolic of this most essential, basic state within every human being. The form floats in space (the outside world) and is at once detached and separate from yet connected to it. The backgrounds conjure a rich and fertile space that is loaded and full of potential. This is the potential and opportunity that awaits every human being in the world to discover their Basic Goodness and become awakened. The flowers represent the 'basic goodness' or the experience of it symbolically blooming or blossoming from within and symbolically connecting the inner and outer worlds.
​
My most recent work combines a variety of different flowers and foliage in one piece, as human nature is comprised of many different characteristics and qualities; all of which we can draw upon and engage in our quest for development. Botanical forms emerge from, float, and dissolve into space, symbolic of how the myriad of human states, qualities, and emotions play upon our consciousness.
​
​
Education
​
Master of Arts (Art History) University of Canterbury, 2016.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Painting) University of Canterbury, 2011.
​
Awards/Recognition
​
Hallifax Emerging Art Award, 2007, Finalist.
Christchurch Sister Cities Young Artist’s Competition, 2007, 2nd Place.
Christchurch Sister Cities Young Artist’s Competition, 2005 & 2006, 3rd Place.
FAS Uniquely New Zealand National Secondary Schools Painting Competition, 2004, Winner.
Exhibitions
​
'30x30', 30th November-7th December, Artbox Gallery, 16 Loftus Street, Christchurch, 2024.
'Form and Emptiness' solo show, 23rd-28th April, Art Hole, 336 St Asaph Street, Christchurch, 2024.
Darfield Art Week, 7th-15th October, Darfield Recreation Centre, 92 North Terrace, Darfield, 2023.
Stride By Stride, 22nd May-17th June, Eastside Gallery, Christchurch, 2023.
2022 Art Salon, 29th October-4th December, Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery, Auckland, 2022.
'True Nature' solo show, 29th July-25th August, The Art Lounge NZ, 117 Willow Street, Tauranga, 2022.
First Steps, 28th March-30th April, Eastside Gallery, Christchurch, 2022.
Mini Under A Hundy, 29th-18th December, Eastside Gallery, Christchurch, 2021.
Christchurch Art Show, 9th-11th April, Wigram Airforce Museum, Christchurch, 2021.
'Basic Goodness' solo show, 16th-20th March, Art Hole, 336 St Asaph Street, Christchurch, 2021.
Craigs Aspiring Art Prize Exhibition, 8th-12th January, Holy Family Catholic School, Wanaka, 2021.
Taranaki Art Award Exhibition, 31 October-7 November, Sanford Events Centre, Opunake, Taranaki, 2020.
Christchurch Art Show Online, 2020.
Three, Ilam Campus Gallery, Christchurch, 2010.
Skub Salon, Ilam Campus Gallery, Christchurch, 2009.
Hallifax Emerging Art Award exhibition of finalist and winning entries, Bealey Gallery, Christchurch, 2007.
Christchurch Sister Cities Young Artist’s Competition exhibition of winning entries, Christchurch Art Gallery, Christchurch, 2006.
Christchurch Sister Cities Young Artist’s Competition exhibition of entries, Centre of Contemporary Art (COCA), 2005.
Christchurch Sister Cities Young Artist’s Competition exhibition of entries, Creation Gallery, Christchurch, 2004.
​
Publications
​
'Amethyst' featured in Art Edit Magazine, March 2023.
'Feature in 'The Art Edit', House & Garden Magazine UK, September 2022.
Becoming' published in the Creative Cronies Astrological Diary 2022.
‘Dakini’ published in the Creative Cronies Astrological Diary 2021.
​
Representation
Art on Thames, 34 Thames Street, Oamaru, New Zealand, April 2024-present.
Art Box Gallery, 16 Loftus Street, Christchurch, New Zealand, May 2023-present.
​
The Art Lounge NZ, 117 Willow Street, Tauranga, New Zealand, April 2022-2023.
Look Gallery, Redcliffs, Christchurch 2007-2008.
​