ABOUT THE ARTIST
Wandering through The Rocks area in Sydney one Sunday morning in 1998, I found myself outside the S.H. Ervin Gallery looking at a poster titled “The Shirley Sherwood Collection of Contemporary Art”. Curious, I ambled inside only to find myself completely mesmerised by the beauty of the botanical art hanging on the gallery walls.
The works, which left an indelible impression on me, were part of the collection of the writer, botanist and philanthropist, Dr Shirley Sherwood OBE. Dr Sherwood has been described as a “driving force behind a revival of interest in botanical art” and the 1998 Exhibition in Sydney was a catalyst for a new wave of botanical work.
Moving from Sydney to New Zealand in 2000, I was fortunate enough to discover the Botanical Art Society of New Zealand (BASNZ). Until then, I had been painting Still Life, predominantly in oils, so the shift to watercolour and the skill-set required for botanical art presented a new set of challenges. I was able to hone my skills under the tutelage of many highly regarded contemporary botanical artists and tutors from around the world, brought to New Zealand by the BASNZ.
Botanical art for me creates a space for reflection and meditation. I am so engaged with the painting process that everything else falls away. It takes me out of the frenetic rush of life to a place of calm and present moment awareness. Switching my attention from the intricate details of the plant to the emerging image on the paper, demands continual concentration. Botanical art aims to capture the beauty of our natural world yet also has an important scientific role which is to enable botanists to identify plants. I am always striving to find a balance between detail and scientific accuracy and the aesthetic quality of the painting.
I have exhibited both my oil and watercolour works since 2000 and exhibit annually with the BASNZ. I am a contributing artist in New Zealand’s ‘Botanical Art Worldwide’ exhibition, ‘Ngai Tipu Taketake – Indigenous Flora’ touring New Zealand in 2018 and I have work in private and public collections around New Zealand and Australia.
EXHIBITIONS
2023
‘Pop Up Store’ Visser+Abbott Pūmanawa, The Arts Centre, Christchurch Apr 4 - Apr 9, 2023
2022
‘Reflections’ Hanmer Springs Library and Gallery Apr 8 – May 29, 2022
Darfield Artweek, Darfield, Canterbury Oct 8 - Oct 16, 2022 (Merit Award for ‘Blue Iris’)
2020
‘Exclusively Forged’ Visser+Abbott Pūmanawa, Arts Centre, Christchurch Oct 22 - Oct 25, 2020
2019
‘Botanica 2019’ BASNZ Chamber Gallery, Rangiora Sep 22 - Oct 31, 2019
2018
‘A Moment in Time’ Solo Exhibition, Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, Christchurch Oct 27, 2018 – Jan 27, 2019
‘Ngai Tipu Taketake – Indigenous Flora’ Botanical Art Worldwide
Auckland Botanic Gardens Mar 30 ‐ Jul 1
Wellington Botanic Gardens Aug 1 ‐ Sep 9
Millenium Public Art Gallery, Blenheim Nov 3 ‐ Dec 9, 2018
‘Botanica 2018’ BASNZ The Pumphouse, Akaroa Mar 2018
2017
‘Botanica 2017’ BASNZ Selwyn Gallery, Darfield BASNZ 29 Sep - 26 Oct, 2017
2015
‘Big Show of Little Botanical Works’ BASNZ Tin Palace, Lyttelton, Christchurch Nov 4 - Nov 22, 2015
‘Art in a Garden’ Hawarden, North Canterbury Oct 29 – 1 Nov 1, 2015
2014
‘Canterbury Plains Florilegium’ BASNZ Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Christchurch Mar 2014
‘Canterbury Plains Florilegium’ South Island Touring exhibition
2013
‘Botanica 2013’ BASNZ Canterbury Museum, Christchurch
2011
‘100 Paintings in 100 Days’ Solo Exhibition, Christchurch Feb 2011
‘Botanica 2011’ BASNZ CoCA, Christchurch (Cancelled due to earthquake)
New Zealand Art Show, Welllington
2010
‘Botanica 2010’ BASNZ CoCA, Christchurch
2009
‘Botanica 2009’ BASNZ CoCA, Christchurch
2008
‘2008’ Darfield Art Week, Darfield 11 -19 Oct 2008
2007
‘2007’ Darfield Art Week, Darfield 5 - 14 Oct 2007 Winner of Judge’s Commendation
2006
‘2006’ Darfield Art Week, Darfield 6 - 12 Oct 2006
2005
‘The Unveiling’ Real Gallery, Auckland 8 Mar - 2 Apr 2005
2004
‘40th Annual Exhibition’ Ashburton Arts Society, Ashburton 2004
2003
‘Fruit and Veg’ Selwyn Gallery, Darfield 22 Aug- 11 Sep 2003
2002
‘2002’ Darfield Art Week, Darfield
2001
‘Colourful Characters’ Selwyn Gallery, Darfield 26 – 22 Nov 2001
1999
‘28th Art, Craft & Jewellery Exhibition’ Riverview, Sydney