rebecca smallridge
Rebecca Smallridge, Ōtautahi - Christchurch
Rebecca is a visual artist working from her garden studio in Ōtautahi, Aotearoa New Zealand. In 2021, Rebecca received a Master of Arts with Distinction under the supervision of ARA Creative Industries. This qualification is an extension of the Bachelor of Design in Visual Arts which she achieved in 2009. Rebecca has an active exhibition practice and has been included in group and solo shows since 2007. Her paintings, original woodblock prints and ceramics are held in public and private collections in Aotearoa and abroad.
Rebecca and 'Grow"....
How has your art/ process/ aesthetic grown over time?
My art practice has experienced the biggest growth spurt when I've dedicated time to study. First with a visual art degree & more recently with a Master of Arts. Allowing the time & headspace to deep-dive into research & experimentation has been invaluable.
What positive change do you hope to evoke in viewers of your art?
I hope to draw attention to the ecological value of wild places, by illustrating the beauty & mauri present in the indigenous biodiversity of Aotearoa. Some folks have found my paintings to have a peaceful feel about them, so that's a positive too!
What is your favourite thing to grow? Anything you cant grow?
My family is fortunate enough to be caretakers of a small former sheep paddock on the West Coast near Paparoa National Park. Over the years we have enjoyed planting native trees & watching the regeneration take place. We've witnessed a lot of young saplings getting eaten by sheep & goats, so as long as they're kept out we're winning!
Artist Statement
My paintings explore the inherent beauty and ecological value of wild places, whilst examining the connections within nature and humanity's vital role of land stewardship. I begin by creating puddles of wet on wet paint, ink, and natural pigments on the floor, which are later overlaid with botanical shadows and observational drawings. Imagined biospheres blur the seen and unseen to visually capture the mauri or life force present in Aotearoa’s indigenous ngahere – the forest.’
Awards
2023 Finalist in Zonta Female Art Awards
2021 Master of Arts with Distinction – Art Creative Industries
2020 Finalist in Zonta Female Art Awards
2019 Masters Scholarship – Ara Creative Industries
2010 Emerging Artists - Solo show at CoCA Gallery
2009 Bachelor of Design in Visual Arts – Ara / CPIT
2009 1st prize Mortlock McCormack Law Art Awards
2009 1st prize Will Cummings Memorial Award
2009 Artwork selected for the Ara Art Collection
