I was born in Ashburton, New Zealand, into a rural, farming family. Currently, I live in Christchurch, Waitaha Canterbury. I have lived near several of Waitaha Canterbury’s braided rivers in New Zealand and witnessed first-hand how they have changed. I am interested in how and why this is happening, through time and human intervention. I am influenced and inspired by the natural world.
As a child, my family would swim in the beautiful, braided Waitohi River, a tributary of the Hurunui River in North Canterbury, on hot summer evenings. It was bliss, floating in the cool, clear water beneath the willow trees, under a cloudless blue summer sky. Now, parts are choked with weeds such as gorse, broom, and blackberry. Many of Waitaha Canterbury’s braided rivers have been designated by Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA) as “Unsuitable for Swimming”, including the Waitohi, which I think is very sad.
Braided rivers are globally rare and significant. There are 163 in New Zealand, with 60% located in Canterbury. They are the genesis of the Canterbury Plains. These dynamic river systems hold cultural importance for local Māori. They should be protected not only for their economic contribution to the region but also for their intrinsic value.
My work embraces the concept of time. I believe art has agency to highlight the rivers’ perilous positions. As a sculptor and photographer, I aim to highlight these rivers, protect them from further damage and thereby help restore them so that today’s kids can swim in them as I once could.
Education and Awards
2023 University of Canterbury, Master of Fine Arts, with Distinction, Sculpture
2020 University of Canterbury, Bachelor of Fine Arts, with Honours, (First Class), Sculpture
2018 University of Canterbury, Vice Chancellor’s Excellence Award
2018 Golden Key International Honour Society, Invited Member
2015 Southern Institute of Technology, Diploma in Digital Photography,
2014 The Photographic Society of New Zealand, Judging Accreditation
2012 The Photographic Society of New Zealand, Associateship Awarded
2010 The Photographic Society of New Zealand, Licentiateship Awarded
Selected Exhibitions
2025 Pending Chambers Art Gallery, Christchurch, September
2025 Orion Powerhouse Gallery, Akaroa, Water Marks
2025 Tai Tapu Sculpture Garden, Annual Autumn Exhibition, Before the Rain there were Clouds
2024 Tai Tapu Sculpture Garden, Annual Autumn Exhibition
2023 Chambers Art Gallery, Christchurch, diverge | converge, September 2023
2023 University of Canterbury, Masters’ Exhibition, diverge | converge
2022 Select 22, University of Canterbury, School of Fine Arts
2022 University of Canterbury, Student Series, Group Exhibition, July 2022, Earth Water Fire Air
2021 Tai Tapu Sculpture Garden, Annual Autumn Exhibition, Horizon
2020 Select 20, University of Canterbury, School of Fine Arts
2020 Tai Tapu Sculpture Garden, Annual Autumn Exhibition, Aurora
2019 Select 19, University of Canterbury, School of Fine Arts
2018 Serious University of Canterbury, School of Fine Arts
2018 Art on the Quay, Kaiapoi