ABOUT GILL NEWLAND

ARTIST'S STATEMENT

I am an award-winning abstract artist. I work with a range of materials from linen to drafting film and dressmaker’s interfacing to create work that reveals a process, or questions an artistic convention rather than a picture.

My aim is to let the material find its own voice, to facilitate its transformation into something new, something it hasn't been before and something only it could become because of its inherent qualities and the process I subject it to.

This kind of art-making runs counter to the notion of figurative representation, to the idea of a window opening onto the world, to the process of moulding the materials into a pre-determined form. The works critique and challenge that mode of operating while taking painting, as a medium, in new directions.

I like to reveal things about painted surfaces (Frayed at the Edges, Surface Works and Blind Faith), create my own surface (Zapped and Weavings) and undermine figure and ground (Stitches and Turn). If you’re interested in seeing more work or having more information or would like to host an exhibition of my work, please contact me.

Born in Hampshire, England 1960s. Studied history before training as a journalist and moving to New Zealand in 1990s. Started art studies full time in 2003 – when first daughter was born.

PROFESSIONAL AND ART AWARDS

2020 Wellington Regional Arts Review Finalist
2020 Parkin Drawing Prize Finalist
2017 Parkin Drawing Prize Finalist
2016 Parkin Drawing Prize Merit Award
1999 Winner - Qantas Media Awards – Field Producer/Director, Best Single Crime/Justice story, Television Current Affairs
1999 Finalist - Qantas Media Awards – Reporter, Crime, Justice
1998 Winner - Qantas Media Awards Winner –Science and Technology
1998 Finalist - Qantas Media Awards TV Reporter of the Year
1987 Winner - Wales Tourist Board Travel Writing Competition

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2020 Wellington Regional Arts Review, Whiriniki Whare Taonga, Upper Hutt
2020 Parkin Drawing Prize, New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, Wellington.
2020 'To Be Continued', art and architecture group HumBugaa collective show. Thistle Hall, Wellington
2017 Parkin Drawing Prize August, Wellington Academy of Fine Arts
2016 Parkin Drawing Prize August, Wellington Academy of Fine Arts
2005 Work 101, Shed 11, Queens Wharf, Wellington
2005 Paint and Other Fetishes, Pataka Blue Pacific Gallery, Porirua,
2003 Group Show, Masterclass, The Learning Connexion (November)
2003 Group Show, Masterclass, The Learning Connexion (June)
2003 Group Show, Masterclass, The Learning Connexion (March)
2003 Group Show, Inverlochy Art School
2003 Cash and Carry, New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts
2003 Whitireia Polytechnic, Pataka Museum
2002 Group Show, Inverlochy Art School
2001 Group Show, Inverlochy Art School

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2018 - Parsonson Architects – Pop up Square, Sited
2008 - Blind Faith, Thistle Hall, Wellington, March 2008
2007 - SurfaceWorks, Toi Poneke, Wellington, November 2007

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2018 - Diploma of Art and Creativity (Advanced)
2003 - Masterclass, The Learning Connexion, Wellington
Feb 2003 - Glass Casting Course, UCOL Wanganui
2002 Level 6 Whitireia Community Polytechnic, Wellington
2000 – 2002 Various jewellery evening classes Quoil Contemporary Jewellery Gallery, Wellington
1995 - South Pacific Pictures Writers’ and Directors’ Drama Writing Course
1992 - 2002 Various evening and part time art courses including print making, life drawing, water colour painting, photography, Inverlochy Art School, Wellington

TERTIARY EDUCATION

1986/87 University College Cardiff, Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism Studies
1983 – 86 University of East Anglia, BA Hons Modern History 2.2