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Barbara Versfelt was born and raised in the Netherlands, in a wooden house in the forest surrounded by the beautiful gardens created by her mother. She moved to New Zealand in the late 1990s. Here she has built a painting practice inspired by her nature-infused youth and bedazzled by the strong light and colours of the Pacific.
Barbara uses acrylic paint, usually on canvas and sometimes on board. She also creates abstract photographic work with floral themes. She is known for her use of vibrant colours and often abstracted renditions of flowers and natural scenes. Barbara strives to continually develop her way of painting and this quest has only become more urgent in the post-covid world where flexibility and re-invention are key. "All my work originates from moments of awe and wonder. I like to see and create beauty; beauty makes people happy; it makes me happy. This is what drives me. It is really that simple." Education and experience 2024 - Student at Whitecliffe School of Fine Arts 2022 - Friday drop-in life drawing workshop at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki 2021 - In the Studio, Postwar Abstract Painting, Online course MOMA, New York 2021 - Stay at Lisa Chandler's artist residence, Collingwood 2014 to 2023 - Abstract Painting classes with James Lawrence 2012 - The Foundation Course at Ponsonby Art Station, (Studio One Toi Tū) Auckland Various short courses at Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design, Auckland Painting classes with Petra Mol in Amsterdam, the Netherlands Exhibitions participated in: 2023 - Hibiscus and Bays Art Awards, Estuary Arts Centre, Orewa 2020 - Hibiscus and Bays Art Awards, Estuary Arts Centre, Orewa 2018 - Hibiscus and Bays Art Awards, Estuary Arts Centre, Orewa 2018 - Northart Members' Midyear Exhibition, Northcote, Auckland 2017 - Hibiscus and Bays Art Awards, Mairangi Arts Centre, Auckland 2016 - Lake House Art sale, Takapuna, Auckland 2012 - Foundation Course End of Year Exhibition, Ponsonby Art Station (Studio One Toi Tū) |
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