The story behind the paintings for Artex

When I was accepted to exhibit with Artex in October 2023 I knew it was time to paint my Cyclone Gabrele compositions.

In February 2023 Napier was hit by Cyclone Gabrielle. All the bridges except one that connects Napier to the surrounding area were washed out. Our stop banks failed. Esk Valley and other areas were flooded. 12 people lost their lives, countless lost their homes. We lost power for 6 days, many lost it for longer. people were separated from their families, tension was high. The lines to get gas for BBQs went around the block. The army arrived to help.

When we felt safe enough to venture back to the beach there were apples and onions and timber everywhere. It was devastating. the damage done to our agriculture and local businesses.

I gathered pieces that I saw from the Cyclone into my own compositions. I tried to make sense of what had occurred around us. The result of this was two paintings.

The first ‘I am small’ which features a lily from our destroyed flower fields and a collection of washed-up dead starfish.

'I am small' oil on canvas, 750x900mm, White timber frame

The second ‘ The mess you made’ which features rotted apples, a dying lily, washed up pinecones, driftwood, pumice, and timber.

'The mess you made' oil on canvas, 750x900mm, white timber frame