Artist Profile:

Rae West

Rae Wests story starts with her slightly eccentric grandmother, whose house was soaked in the smell of oil paints. Rae would sit back in awe, contemplating her grandmothers arthritic hands as they brought porcelain and blank canvas to life.

Moving on to become a graphic designer based in Sydney, Rae eventually returned to New Zealand. She followed in the footsteps of grandma, with pottery and canvas paintings for various clients. Then after a little mentoring, she was soon showcasing her work at a number of galleries.

Rae says this about what inspires her:

“New Zealand is a glorious place to have as home - its uniqueness I adore. Its creatures and birds I celebrate in my art. My eyes and heart are open to Aotearoa’s delights.”

Rae West's latest work shows that she has really developed her stylistic approach, toward increased free mark making. 

Her new works pulse with the kinetic freedom of fluidity and light.  She uses multiple veils of pigment, resin and ink, which blend and react against each other creating beautiful forms and textures.  The end result is spontaneous, subconscious and sensual.