Amanda Smart

For me, painting feels like an excavation process - a discovery of visual metaphor and symbolism, of limitless possibility. A place to be totally free, where imagination reigns.

My subjects vary - from still life to landscape to conceptual. I thrive on variety and experimentation. I feel as if I am creating a language of my own - developing it gradually and organically with each painting.

It has been said that my paintings have a ‘primal’ feel to them. This stems from my love of the most basic visual elements: the dot and the line. I observe nature, finding repeating patterns everywhere - fractal shapes. The world around us is not made of flat colour. A leaf is many colours, all mixed up, layered - blended, complex, defined.

There are many influences in my work. From the strong lines and design elements apparent in traditional Maori Art and Carving to the textures and colours present in Pacific cultures. As a 6th generation New Zealander I consider myself a Pacific Islander rather than European. My work is from a distinct New Zealand perspective.

My paintings are often personal in subject, with the shapes meaning many different things to people. I enjoy ‘Abstract’ for this reason. I tend away from ‘explaining’ in depth the individual paintings. I feel if I have to use ‘words’ why bother communicating via paint? It is something that doesn’t need or have one explanation. I express visually - this is my ‘outlet’.

New Zealand Artists I admire include Frances Hodgkins, Dorothy Kate Richmond, James Crowe Richmond, Philip Clairmont, Philippa Blair and Michael Tuffery. Inspiration also comes from my Grandmother, the late Bernice Smart- a well known Wellington painter, photographer, collector and teacher during the 1970s-1980s.

My training is in Visual Communication Design (Wellington Design School), majoring in Graphic Design. My professional background is in children’s book publishing.

2006 The Virginia Mary Rotary Art Show, 'Best in Show' and 'Merit' Awards. Judged by Philip Markham (President NZAFA).
2007 Summer Delights, Kapiti Art Review,The Mahara Gallery, Waikanae. 'Pritchard Group Open Award'. Judged by Mark Amery, Sue Skerman & Janet Bayly.

G R O U P s h o w s
2006
– The Virginia Mary Rotary Art Award
– 'Eyes Wide Open'– The Mahara Gallery, Waikanae
2007
– NZAFA Gala Exhibition
– NZAFA Autumn and Governor General Art Award Exhibition
– NZAFA Spring Exhibition
– 'Summer Delights, Kapiti Art Review'– The Mahara Gallery, Waikanae
2008
– NZAFA Autumn Exhibition
– Affordable Art Show
– Kapiti Art Trail with Diane Connal and Susie Mills
– Mixt, Kapiti Art Review 2008– The Mahara Gallery (opens december till feb 2009)

S O L O s h o w s
2008
– NEW SPACE, The Mahara Gallery.