Kate Boswell

This striking close-up of a tūī invites the viewer into an intimate encounter with one of Aotearoa’s most iconic native birds. At first glance, the tūī is often perceived as black, but this painting challenges that illusion, revealing a dazzling array of iridescent colours in the plumage. The bird’s eye is a powerful focal point, sharp and intelligent, as it locks directly with the viewer, creating a sense of connection and presence. The gaze feels both inquisitive and watchful, as if the tūī is caught mid-thought. This work is a celebration of the unseen - the quiet intricacies that lie just beneath the surface, waiting to be noticed.

Bathed in the clear light of a crisp winter’s day, this painting captures the remote beauty of the snow-covered Hawkdun Ranges. The composition evokes that unmistakable moment of awe experienced on a road trip: when you turn a corner and are suddenly met with scenery so vast and striking, it feels like the world is revealing a secret. The sun illuminates the snowy ranges, casting icy blue shadows that contrast sharply with dazzling white, creating a play of light and texture across the scene. With its cloudless sky, and vivid clarity, the work speaks to a profound stillness and isolation, yet also the exhilaration of discovery. It is a celebration of place, of silence, and of the emotional charge that the raw, open landscapes of Central Otago can inspire.

Known for their remote, untouched presence, the Hawkdun Ranges are rendered here with a precision that speaks to the clarity of the region’s cold, still winter days. In the foreground, hay bales and a fishing hut offer gentle reminders of human presence in an otherwise remote terrain. These elements suggest stories of resilience, solitude, and quiet industry in an otherwise untouched environment. With strong light and crisp lines, the work evokes the clarity of Central Otago’s winter air. It’s a portrait of place that balances isolation and connection, silence and subtle activity, held beneath the towering watch of the snow-dusted Hawkduns.

This painting captures the serene beauty of Glendhu Bay in early summer—a time when the landscape comes alive with vibrant contrasts. Snow-capped peaks still linger in the distance, while lush green foliage lines the lake’s edge, and the clear blues of Lake Wānaka reflect the clear skies above. With this work, the artist invites the viewer into a moment of nostalgia. It’s a tribute to long, hot summer days spent by the water’s edge, swimming, walking and soaking in the stillness of the bay. Glendhu Bay is more than a scenic location, it’s a place tied to memory, feeling, and the essence of summer in Central Otago. This piece offers viewers a chance to step into that memory and linger there, if only for a moment.