Rae West
Previously Sold
About Rae West
Rae West began her career as a graphic designer based in Sydney, developing an eye for composition and design. Rae eventually returned to New Zealand and moved toward fine art, following in the footsteps of her grandmother who she had watched as a child painting and creating. West’s earlier work found inspiration in New Zealand landscape, flora and fauna. Her early career works were representational and symbolic, but simmering under the surface was always an interest in the fluid and tactile qualities of paint.
West’s latest work shows that she has really developed her stylistic approach, toward increased free mark making. In her new work, gone are the imagery of birds and botanicals as she dives into the realms of abstraction.
Her new works pulse with the kinetic freedom of fluidity and light. She uses multiple veils of pigment, resin and ink, which blend and react against each other creating beautiful forms and textures. The end results are spontaneous, subconscious, and sensual.
Abstraction, if sincere, reveals the unique expression of a single soul, and if successful connects the viewers pulse to its own.
Exhibitions and Awards
2008 to 2013 Annual solo exhibition at Flagstaff Gallery
2007 “Flutterings” Solo exhibition, Flagstaff Gallery
2005 Finalist in Anthony Harper Contemporary Art Award
CoCA solo show, Christchurch
London Auction of two works for the Kokako Recovery Fund
Group show, Assemblage, Tamarillo Gallery, Wellington
2004 Finalist in Anthony Harper Contemporary Art Award
One of the three finalists from Canterbury to be auctioned in the Telecom Yellow pages Art Awards, Auckland
Solo show at Letham Gallery, Auckland
2000 Full time painter, Christchurch
1994 Graphic Designer, Sydney, Morton Design
1992 Consumer and Applied Science Degree, University of Otago
