The Artist

I’m a Wellington based artist, working from my studio right in the heart of the city. My paintings aim to take the viewer on a journey through a bizarre alternate reality. Grounded in the natural beauty of NZ landscape, I highlight local hidden spots and incorporate native flora and fauna into my scenes. I shoot all my own reference imagery, focusing on trying to capture the beautiful ‘golden hour’ lighting. 

My surreal worlds also act in response to the ever-increasing environmental destruction of today’s modern world. Each piece gives a snapshot into an alternate ‘surreal’ reality where nature is allowed the freedom to regrow and flourish into something new. I am particularly fascinated with hidden abandoned spots, highlighting the way nature reclaims man-made structures into something organic. 

The snail creature features throughout and acts as a ‘symbol’ for the force and beauty of nature fighting back. They are primarily based around the Powelliphanta, a giant breed of snail only found in NZ. Spiral shapes like those found in snail shells link back to the Golden Ratio spiral, which features in countless examples throughout nature. The natural ‘perfection’ of growth in flowing curves and lines are juxtaposed with rigid, straight lines of structures in my work.