Blog

In The Eye Of The Beholder

When I was first trying to write this I had the most massive mind blank. To have my work all across the internet is a lot of pressure for an artist. There are so many judging critics out there and you can't help but want to please everyone. I’ve learnt over the years that it's not possible to please everyone, that there’s always going to be someone

Drawing, is dirty

Drawing, is dirty. It gets under my nails, stains the edge of my hand. I sweep the bench of watercolour pencil shavings and my palm is a rainbow of colour. My hands at the end of a studio day are dusty pink and ochre fingers, palms a wipe of pastel.

Why so angry, it's just art.

I think it’s important a few things be said that the internet trolls and disser’s need to take onboard.

Catherine Carter

As a photographer and installation artist, I’m excited about entering the Parkin Drawing Prize for the first time, both because of its importance in the NZ art scene, but also because of the value of drawing a the very centre of the visual arts, and this prize’s role in cherishing diversity and innovation in this form.

Johnnie Daley

Around 3 years ago I started the journey towards being a full time artist. I was 32, I had never done any art I was truly happy with, and I had only picked up my pencils a few times in the last 5 years. So then why did I want be be a professional artist?

Jenny Mehrtens

As an artist, I’m driven to explore and communicate ideas. My 'Making Their Mark' series developed out of a strong curiosity about what my cultural identity is as a New Zealander looking back on early New Zealand; driven by my fascination with the extraordinary artistic creativity of the Māori and how that reveals in our people. Māori...

Gill Newland

I’ve been an artist for 13 years. It’s easy to remember as it was also the year my oldest daughter was born. She was due the day of my final end of year exhibition and I willed her to be late! She was, so I got to complete that part of my life before a new chapter was underway.

Gabrielle Amodeo

Winning the Parkin Prize was a wild ride and has been of huge benefit to me. Since then, I have shown in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, edited the book Assay/Essay: Artist-Run in Aotearoa New Zealand (with support from Chartwell Trust, published by Enjoy Public Art Gallery), and have undertaken a residency at The Banff Centre in Alberta, Ca

Tracey Vickers

I grew up on a dairy farm in the Far North. I’ve learnt alot from the life experiences to be had as a child growing up on a farm, being outside and amongst it all. I learnt about fixing things ‘number 8 wire’ style

Ina Johann

Ina Johann - Drawing. Living in New Zealand and becoming more and more a part of it has shifted my drawing practice over the years. In my work I explore a form of personal navigation and mapping. There is an element of observation and recording wherever I go, essentially taking apart what is there and re-constructing and re-inventing to create...

Gillian Buckley

I started drawing 8 years ago after a long break from any kind of creative activity.

Deborah Moss

After graduating from Auckland University with an MA (Hons) in Sociology I ventured into social policy which later opened a door to an interesting career in photojournalism. The travel bug bit me and I headed overseas where I was fortunate to absorb some amazing art and culture in Europe while living there.