Currently based in Pirongia, Carmel Van Der Hoeven is a self-taught artist working predominantly with acrylic and oil pastel, with a side of clay and illustration. Her practice began under the moniker George Sand Studio (a reference in kinship to the 18th century French novelist Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin who first used the pseudonym) although one would argue that Carmel is more well-known of late under her given name. 

Carmel’s abstract expressonist florals are bursting with dynamic brushstrokes that seem to resonate off the canvas. Her ideas often begin with a feeling or idea, drawing on her surroundings to create work imbued with colour and vitality. Carmel’s resulting paintings contain a sense of time and rhythm that engages the viewer to contemplate the artist’s process and mark making, the eye can’t help but roam across the canvas. Her work is unapologetically feminine, confronting her own contemporary journey as a woman as well as challenging the perspective and ideas of the viewer.

Highly sought-after, Carmel has had a spate of sell-out exhibitions in Auckland, enjoyed collaborations with NZ fashion designer Juliette Hogan and luxury NZ accessories brand Saben, and been the feature of many a magazine and newspaper article.