HARRIET MILLAR
Wonder is a celebration of the places, landscapes, and flora that continue to inspire Harriet Millar. Given carte blanche for this exhibition, Wonder emerged naturally - a body of work shaped by gratitude for the beauty that surrounds her and the privilege of calling New Zealand home.
Originally from the UK, Harriet has wholeheartedly embraced New Zealand, finding endless inspiration in its remarkable landscapes, native flora, and the places that have become woven into her life. Through Wonder, she invites viewers into some of her most cherished subjects: landscapes imbued with memory, trams that capture the character and soul of the city, and flowers gathered from her local surroundings.
Working predominantly in oil, Harriet uses expressive, generous brushstrokes to evoke atmosphere, colour, depth, and luminosity rather than precise detail. Two works have been painted in acrylic, a deliberate nod to where her artistic journey began.
As a collection, Harriet’s paintings for Wonder reveal the landscapes, colours, and memories that continue to shape her artistic practice and sustain her enduring sense of wonder.
KYLIE MATHESON
Kylie Matheson’s body of work for Wonder introduces the idea of gentleness in relation to wild animals and predators that have long been labelled as dangerous. Through unexpected encounters and tender interactions between species, her ceramic sculptures invite viewers to consider a different perspective on these animals and the assumptions we bring to them.
At the heart of her practice is a reminder that, as humans, we are often so busy working and striving towards the next destination that we forget to truly experience life as it unfolds. The journey teaches us far more than the satisfaction of arriving, and each day is a gift that should never be taken for granted. This philosophy is reflected in her sculptures, which encourage a slower, more attentive way of looking and allow moments of connection and curiosity to unfold. Creating these works became a reminder for Kylie herself to slow down and embrace the process.
Working with clay has become an essential part of Kylie’s artistic practice. It has given her a visual language through which she can communicate in ways that words never could. Drawing on her understanding of animal behaviour, she leaves subtle gestures within each sculpture, allowing viewers to arrive at their own interpretations rather than prescribing a single narrative.
Ultimately, Kylie hopes her work encourages a kinder, gentler way of seeing - one that replaces assumption with curiosity and leaves space for wonder in our encounters with the wild.
